Look at him, this ‘Jesus.’ He’s a loser. He wears frilly sleeves, flared pants, and retro shoes. He is, of course, a white Caucasian, with long brown hair and a beard. On his back is draped a purple robe, which is clasped around his shoulders with a huge gold buckle. A trickle of blood flows from his forehead, dribbling over his perfect complexion. Surrounded by daisies, he sits in peaceful contemplation of his Band-Aid worthy wounds.

And then there’s gentle ‘Jesus,’ meek and mild. The Jesus who plays with lambs, and wears a glowing halo around his head. He is a nice man, lover of children and rainbows and all things pink. And as he hangs upon the cross, his robe dirtied by the rigors of a hard day, he smiles upon the men who drove nine-inch nails through his hands and feet.

The third ‘Jesus’ is a good man, a teacher of great renown. His moral teachings are famous throughout the world, and acknowledged by all religions. This man politely asks that his followers be moral, and requests that they live according to the Ten Commandments. He preaches Hell merely as a concept; in fact, if he did otherwise, he could not be God; for God is kind and merciful, and therefore cannot punish those who fail to follow a few simple commands, right?

Two thousand years ago, another ‘Jesus’ hung on a cross. Beaten and bloodied beyond recognition, he hung in the darkness, alienated from his father. Taking upon himself the evil filth of the mass murderer, the rapist, the lusting molesterer, the child abuser, the sexual pervert, the sadist, he died. In spiritual, mental and physical agony, the all-powerful creator of the World willingly gave his life, claiming to be God. This man loved children. He was a good teacher, who spoke with power and passion, and was kind and merciful. He came to bring fire and division; love and redemption, and finally, in the ultimate sacrifice, gave his life.