Disclaimer: This is, in no way, intended to mock or insult any religion or religious group. It is simply an analysis of my thoughts on superheroes as they relate to religion in my mind. Anything perceived as offensive is entirely unintentional on my part.
Like so many kids growing up, I always loved superheroes. I cannot remember a time when I didn't dream of taking to the sky like Superman or climbing walls like Spider-Man. Truthfully, I'd be happy even being a powerless do-gooder like Batman or the Punisher. To be able to fight for what's right and stand up to the forces of evil sounds like the ultimate life.
However, unlike most kids, I never grew out of these childhood fantasies. Today, I spend my days at work daydreaming of taking up the Bat-mantle and secretly reading digital comics on my iPhone.
Recently, I got to thinking about what it is in my personality that makes me so love the very idea of superheroes. The theory I've come up with has its roots in religion.
You see, I was raised in a Christian household, but I've always struggled accepting many aspects of the Christian faith. I've tried associating myself with various sects of Christianity, but no matter what, I still can't seem to fully accept it. About a week ago, I made a statement to a group of friends that I believe the story of Superman is, in essence, the story of Jesus. My friends just laughed it off and tried to poke holes in my statement, but in my mind, the reasoning is sound:
Story of Jesus: God sends his only son to Earth to be the savior of man-kind. He does many astonishing feats along the way and saves many people from illness and the temptations of sin.
Story of Superman: A man from a distant world sends his only son to Earth to be the savior of man-kind. He does many astonishing feats along the way and saves many people from the forces of evil.
Admittedly, not perfectly identical, but enough so to make a case out of it. I digress; I began analyzing my own statement and quickly realized that a case could be made that superheroes in general embody religion. Religions - all religions - provide hope to their followers and, at their core, they all teach the same basic principles: goodness, forgiveness, humility, etc. The stories I've read in comic books have, time and again, given me hope and taught me all the same lessons about morality that I was instructed on in Bible School.
And so, my theory: I think it possible that the reason I have had such trouble accepting Christianity is that superheroes are, for me, a religion.
Lets face it, the Marvel and DC Universes could each be viewed as polytheistic mythologies - with the main characters being major gods and the secondary characters being minor gods. Individual heroes even embody certain elements and ideals the way that polytheistic gods often would (i.e. the Human Torch - god of fire, Batman - god of cunning and wit, Wonder Woman - goddess of truth). If superheroes are indeed the "religion" that I've accepted in my mind, it would completely explain why I've so often doubted the faith I was raised to believe. In essence, this would be like a Muslim attempting to convert to Christianity. How does one wholeheartedly accept a foreign religion?
It's a stretch, but it certainly would explain my difficulties with faith and my love for all things superhero.
.......... Or maybe I'm just a guy who never really grew up and is seeking desperately to justify his nerdy obsessions............. Yeah. Probably that.
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