Naruto as a Christian Narrative? Sorry first Post

[Cameron1]

Earlier today I was suddenly afflicted with the desire to argue and had every intention of posting something intentionally inflammatory. However while thinking of something I was struck by the innocent thought of Naruto as a Jesus-esc figure, a redeemer of sorts. A redeemer not only of various characters (Gaara, Obito, Neji and the attempted redemption of Sasuke) but also of the ninja way (similar to Jesus' redemption of humanity). Furthermore Madara, seems to play the role of a Lucifer-esc figure (he condemns the ninja way and is cast-out from its world). So continuing this thinking, Naruto could really be a metaphor for the battle of humanity based on the religious stories. With Naruto fighting for it, Madara looking to destroy it and Kaguya as its decider.

From what I have been able to find, Kishimoto is a Buddhist. But this is not necessarily significant to my analysis as the Christian story of Jesus is not unique among historic legends, epics, stories and religions. The idea of a fallible group, its redeemer, its condemner and its creator is not unique. I only use christianity as my limited knowledge of religion best allows me to compare in these terms.


So I guess my question is:
Do you think the comparison of the Naruto story and the schema the Christian story is based on, is a fruitful way of predicting the future of Naruto? If so what is this future? If not what is the future you predict?

 

[assface3]

I agree. Nugget is Satan and Sausage is God.

 

[konoha god]

ramen guy is the decider

 

[gregtglowe]

naruto is the bible plus the ramayana plus that japanese national epic that i cannot remember the name of. It has a nice rendition of what is more or less genesis.. So yeah. naruto could be considered a jesus allegory. Or if we use pharma talk he is an analogue of jesus.

 

[Antichrist]

I'm the best member about the similarities between Christianity and Naruto's anime .

Here are some of my threads about what you were talking about , and about the prediction , I predicted Kaguya's third son , and that was thanks to Christianity .

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[Kamui Sama]

but reincarnation is not part of the christian faith

 

[bobtheboober]

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[Cameron1]

In reply to balrog6x:


To a certain extent I believe it is. The notions of Heaven and Hell, are I believe derivative beliefs in reincarnation. The soul of one after death is said to travel and live in either these places. So in some sense there is something similar to reincarnation in the christian tradition?

 

[Cameron1]

bobtheboober:

Do you have a point?

 

[Kamui Sama]

In reply to balrog6x:


To a certain extent I believe it is. The notions of Heaven and Hell, are I believe derivative beliefs in reincarnation. The soul of one after death is said to travel and live in either these places. So in some sense there is something similar to reincarnation in the christian tradition?

I am not a christian myself but you are stretching too far, I don't see the connection between the monotheistic view of afterlife (christianity, islam, etc.) and reincarnation. In some religious views of reincarnation your soul comes back to earth and you take the form of another existence (whether it be an animal or another person). This transmigration back to earth does not exist (at least I think for Christianity) once you die

 

[Antichrist]

bobtheboober:

Do you have a point?

You must Get used to those kind of posts , and also you don't have to say the name of a person to talk to him .

Click this ( Reply With Quote ) when you want to answer someone , which you can see it under the post that you want to reply .

 

[Callypigia]

Similarities to Christianity are coincidental. These stories, characters, techniques, and weapons are drawn from Japanese mythology, Japanese history, Shinto, and Buddhism (though more mythology). I've posted many of these before, but here is some light reading to start:

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[Cameron1]

You must Get used to those kind of posts , and also you don't have to say the name of a person to talk to him .

Click this ( Reply With Quote ) when you want to answer someone , which you can see it under the post that you want to reply .

thank you for the help.

 

[Cameron1]

I am not a christian myself but you are stretching too far, I don't see the connection between the monotheistic view of afterlife (christianity, islam, etc.) and reincarnation. In some religious views of reincarnation your soul comes back to earth and you take the form of another existence (whether it be an animal or another person). This transmigration back to earth does not exist (at least I think for Christianity) once you die

Not that it matters but I am not religious. But I do not think that my comparison is a stretch. Both of the religions deal with the movement of a single enduring soul. It is the location that differs not the principle. In Christianity as I understand it, the soul is judged and upon death removed from the body at which point it is sent to a location. From what I understand of transmigration the process is somewhat similar. The enduring soul is, in laymen's terms recycled and placed back on Earth. In both cases there is 1. an enduring soul and 2. a rebirth in the location specified by the religion (heaven and hell vs Back on Earth). So I would say the traditions are in fact very similar and the Christian tradition of an afterlife resembles the idea of reincarnation (albeit permanent reincarnation).

 

[Cameron1]

Similarities to Christianity are coincidental. These stories, characters, techniques, and weapons are drawn from Japanese mythology, Japanese history, Shinto, and Buddhism (though more mythology). I've posted many of these before, but here is some light reading to start:

You must be registered for see links

You must be registered for see links

You must be registered for see links

You must be registered for see links

My comparison was less about Christianity specifically and more about the general schema which it fits. The world's religions, stories and myths all have similar motifs and story lines. I only chose christianity because it was the easiest for me to articulate. The similarities to Christianity I don't believe are coincidental but are there because there are similarities between Christianity and the other eastern religions and philosophies. Which you seem to argue the Manga drew from.

 

[Antichrist]

Similarities to Christianity are coincidental. These stories, characters, techniques, and weapons are drawn from Japanese mythology, Japanese history, Shinto, and Buddhism (though more mythology). I've posted many of these before, but here is some light reading to start:

You must be registered for see links

You must be registered for see links

You must be registered for see links

You must be registered for see links

Then tell me , from were the story of a forbidden fruit come from .

 

[Cameron1]

Then tell me , from were the story of a forbidden fruit come from .

The Greek Myth of Prometheus. In both humanity is gifted things which the God/Gods have forbidden (the Fruit and Fire). They are given these gifts by higher beings, Lucifer and Prometheus an angel and a titan. Both of the gifts enlighten humanity, Adam and Eve recognize that they are naked and humanity is able to tame their environment. In both the God/Gods deals revenge upon the gifter, Lucifer to hell, and Prometheus chained to a rock with an eagle or Vulture eating his liver.

The Prometheus story predates recordings of Genesis by centuries. So many scholars take the Genesis story to be an adaptation of the Prometheus myth. However stories of this schema are not unique to ancient Greece and the Judeo-Christian world.

And as "know" Points out this motif is found in Naruto.

 

[Callypigia]

My comparison was less about Christianity specifically and more about the general schema which it fits. The world's religions, stories and myths all have similar motifs and story lines. I only chose christianity because it was the easiest for me to articulate. The similarities to Christianity I don't believe are coincidental but are there because there are similarities between Christianity and the other eastern religions and philosophies. Which you seem to argue the Manga drew from.

Sorry. I was just confused because you aked specifically how the story and ending ties into Christianity.

Then tell me , from were the story of a forbidden fruit come from .

Kaguya drank the Elixer of Life before returning back to the moon. Which correlates with the theory that Kaguya was either initially sealed into the moon, or will be, or even came from another planet.

There maybe more examples beyond my scope of Japanese lore. Even if he did use that one Christian allegory, the basis of the story is significantly more influenced by Shinto beliefs.