Superheroes — Respecting Our Differences

"Are you a God-fearing man, Senator? That is such a strange phrase. I've always thought of God as a teacher; a bringer of light, wisdom, and understanding. You see, I think what you really fear is me. Me and my kind. The Brotherhood of Mutants. Oh, it's not so surprising really. Mankind has always feared what it doesn't understand. Well, don't fear God, Senator, and certainly don't fear me. Not any more." — Magneto, "X-Men"

Today I continue my look at the cultural mythology of superheroes with The X-Men, a Marvel Comic creation that was birthed in the 1960s. In 2000, director Bryan Singer brought it to the big screen and touched off what has been the modern explosion of superhero films.

I have always loved The X-Men. I love Wolverine, I love the stories, and I think the films have been quite entertaining. There have been five entries in the X-Men universe since 2000, counting the spin-off "Wolverine." And while the films work on a basic narrative level, what the X-Men series has always stood for is equality.

When it was first birthed in the 1960s, that equality was aimed at racial equality and gender equality. Consider, the X-Men comics were birthed around the same time as "Star Trek," which was Gene Roddenberry's attempt to offer a hopeful vision of the future. The 1960s were a turbulent times as we were undergoing massive cultural changes.

The basic theme of X-Men has always been the tension between acceptance and rejection of that which is different. In the fictional guise that is a genetic mutation that offers supernatural powers, but it's meant as a stand in for the very real differences that cause friction among mankind.

And the way the topic is examined has been thoughtful as well. Among the "mutants," those with genetic mutations, are those that want to lash out at the society that doesn't seem them as equals. Then there are mutants that want acceptance. There are mutants that want to hide their mutation. And there are regular people that want to work alongside the mutants.

In the modern era, the X-Men haven't stood so much for the social and racial distinctions that cause friction so much as for the lifestyle choices that cause ostracism. Director Bryan Singer, who first brought the X-Men to the screen, is openly gay. That is, doubtless, something that colors his perspective on this ideology. And, in fact, the X-Men metaphor has lent itself to that discussion and argument for years.

So where does that leave us as Christians when considering this? Obviously as a conservative Christian I have strong feelings, rooted in Scripture, about that lifestyle. But the question isn't about my beliefs so much as my actions. That is true for all Christians.

I think you get a sense of the way the world, particularly Christians, have confronted these differences in the past. Often you hear the characters in X-Men trying to convince the world they aren't monsters to be feared. Professor X, the leader, says "We're not what you think." Later, Jean Grey, offers "Mutants are not the ones mankind should fear." There is a great deal of an attempt made to defend these differences from an unforgiving public. I find that profoundly sad.

Consider the example of Jesus. He didn't uphold aberrant behavior and lifestyles, and He didn't condone sin. But He didn't use anger and fear as a weapon to cajole desired responses either. He loved people — sinners and saints — and, out of that love, urged them to drop the areas of brokenness in their lives and follow Him.

The beginning of a positive change and dialogue often begins with showing love and kindness to someone who feels unloved. While I don't agree with all of the premise and politics behind the metaphor of the X-Men, I do agree that nothing good comes of hate and strife. If we can't discuss our differences reasonably, and show compassion to even those we don't agree with, how can we hope to make a positive change in the world?