Forty-five years ago, Depression-ridden America was beguiled and cheered by the fantasy of two young cartoonists, “Superman” — a strange being from another world who came to earth as a child, grew up to assume the disguise of “Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper,” and waged “a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American Way.” (Remember, in the ’30’s Americans were still proud to be Americans; they had never heard of Viet Nam; and they still naively assumed that there was only one right way to do things—and that was their way!)
“Superman” enjoyed a long and active life in comics, movies, and finally — as he began to develop the traditional middle-age paunch — he finished out his career with a television series. Or so we thought! It turns out that we’ve only just begun with “Superman.” This decade has seen a revival of interest in all sorts of science fiction, and the craziness of this generation has spawned a whole series of pop-culture gurus whose philosophies have become almost religion to their devotees. First came “Star Wars,” which reduced the concept of divinity to a benign after-thought: “May the force (who or what it is, we don’t know) be with you!” Then followed “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” reviving and enlivening the weird theories of Erich von Danikenof intelligent and friendly aliens who would love nothing better than to pass along their knowledge to poor, faltering humanity and bring to earth a millennium of peace and prosperity. And finally, riding the crest of these pseudo-messianic mass-consumption “experiences,” comes again “Superman” — called out of retirement to champion truth and justice in the Metropolis (New York City) of the ’70’s
Superman an Imitation Messiah
“Superman” reaches the height, or depth (at least to this date) of cheap, tawdry imitations of the Messiah. Consider these points: His father is Jor-El! He is sent to earth as a baby, and brought up by poor humble foster parents; the “father” often reminds his “son” that he has been sent to earth for a special “purpose.” As the boy matures, his foster-father dies and he receives messages from his true father which continue his education so that, at last (in the words of JorEl) “the father becomes the son, and the son the father.” At the age of 30, he embarks on his life’s work: as his “heavenly” father says, “These earthlings have a potential for good, but they need someone to show them the light, and that is why I have sent them you — my only son.”
As if this isn’t enough, Superman when confronted with the death of Lois Lane reverses the rotation of the earth, turning back time to bring her back to life. Not only is he the Son of “God” and Saviour of the World, but also the Resurrection and the Life!
Jack Kroll, Newsweek writer, admits that this appears “appallingly vulgar, a grisly reflection of the junk culture that has just about buried real culture almost out of sight.” But he justifies such exercises on the grounds that the stories of Christ and Moses are nothing but “great revelatory myths”—anyway destined to be told and retold and finally reshaped into such new myths as Superman. Thus a $35,000,000 budget with living color and special effects on the wide screen becomes the most effective and dramatic way that our civilization can perpetuate heroic legend.
The gods of Children
We do not believe it is an overstatement to say that television and movies, reinforced by all the “spin-offs” (i.e., toys, t-shirts, foods, etc.) have become the religion of children in America. (And maybe not just America, but all of Western civilization! And for that matter, maybe not just children!) The characters of “Star Wars” and “Battlestar Galactica”, a narcissistic “Fonzie,” a mindless “Mork” . . . and now, a modernized “Superman”! At least this latest “god” believes in “truth and justice.” But doesn’t that make him, just maybe, more dangerous than the others—because he has usurped the very principles that belong to Christ? Do these ideas confuse small children and color all their later concepts of religion? Is Christ “Superman” ? Or is “Superman” Christ? Who can say? And if the one is a myth—albeit a myth of truth and justice — then is the other anything more? One fears that a poll of American teenagers would find almost half believing that Jesus was a strange alien who came to earth to bedazzle the mortals — a la Superman and von Daniken’s “chariots” — while most of the remainder would see him as just a man whose exploits, like those of Walt Disney’s Davy Crockett, grew to become legends.
The dual identity of Clark Kent/Superman is another reflection of Christ, whether intended or not. As a “lamb,” the meek Clark Kent is treated by Lois Lane with indifference bordering on contempt. But as the “lion” Superman is an object of adulation. And so this “god” lives among men, masquerading as one of them, but constantly rejected and ignored. When, however, he dons his red cape and flies forth to do battle with the forces of evil, all the world lies at his feet.
Will the Real Messiah Be Ignored?
It is, sadly, to be feared that when the real Messiah appears, a certain class will be so hardened against the miraculous (because they’ve seen it all on the wide screen already) that his appeals will be ignored. “If you’ve seen one man fly,—(never mind a few strings attached !)— then you’ve seen them all!” The whole of this extraordinary twentieth century, which has left society completely jaded, reinforces this fear. If men can walk on the moon and other men can play with life and death in laboratories and operating rooms, and mind-boggling weapons can incinerate whole cities, then what do we do with another “Messiah” who comes from his Father’s right hand, raises the dead, and destroys an army on the mountains of Israel? “Stand in line, fellow, until we have time for you. What’s on Channel 7 tonight?”
Maybe it is all “fun and games” for the children, and no more than that! Maybe they need their fantasies, their “Santa Clauses,” their “Supermen.” It doesn’t do any harm, does it? Thus we can “reason” with ourselves until we see almost nothing wrong with anything! But these are the mass-produced images of a secular society that has forgotten the real Christ, or ‘buried” him under an avalanche of sports “gods” and rock “stars” and media “freaks.” “And the people love to have it so!”
Every time we turn around there is a new “Deliverer,” his promises (spoken or implied) more outrageous than the last. “Come unto me, do as I say (jog more miles, eat better foods, meditate with your legs crossed) and I will give you true peace and contentment.” Or perhaps, “Don’t do anything at all; just watch and listen, and my music (or voice or looks or behavior) will transport you to new heights of joy.” Where does it all end ? When do we or our children cross over the line and begin to make “gods” of these worldly caricatures of the true Son of God?
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders: insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matt. 24:24).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One