The History Channel’s miniseries The Bible is scoring huge ratings for that network, but the most recent installment is accomplishing something even more important: providing a perfect example of religion and politics not mixing.
The five-part miniseries, according to its creators, Mark Burnett and his wife, actress Roma Downey, is a sort of “introduction to Christianity.” It isn’t supposed to tell the whole story, nor is it a replacement for the Bible itself. It does seem that they’ve painstakingly worked to make sure the story is as authentic as possible while being adapted to be told in dramatic form on television. Downey, who gained fame in the CBS series Touched By an Angel, says the voice of God led her to co-produce the show with her husband, the man behind mega-hits Survivor and The Apprentice.
It’s designed, quite obviously, to be a form of ministry.
Christians ought to be pleased that it exists, and ought to be more pleased that it is doing so well in the ratings, which means people have actually heard about it and are seeking it out. That should be the best news of all, the takeaway that brings smiles to Christian faces everywhere.
Unfortunately, in today’s politically-charged society, it doesn’t. Some Christians need more than that. What should be the “payoff” just isn’t good enough.
Enter actor  Mohamen Mehdi Ouazanni, a Moroccan actor who plays Satan himself in The Bible. This isn’t Ouazanni’s first time in a religious-themed movie. A quick search of his IMDB profile indicates he has played a few different Biblical characters going as far back as the 1990s.
But it is his role as Satan that is bringing a different kind of attention, because some say that Ouazanni, when made up as Satan, looks strikingly similar to President Barack Obama. Many credit conservative radio and TV personality Glenn Back as the one who brought this “important” story to light. Beck assures us he’s a Christian, and in 2010, led a rally at the Lincoln Memorial calling for a religious “rebirth” in the country.
“There’s nothing we can do that will solve the problems that we have and keep the peace unless we solve it through God,” Beck said at that time during an appearance on — where else? — Fox News.
Whether Beck was first to point out the similarity or simply the most famous promoter of this meme is, frankly, irrelevant.
The point isn’t who started it, but that this little political dig is what’s being spread around, even by Christians. The fact that a miniseries depicting the life of Jesus Christ even happened is no longer enough. That’s no longer important. We now have a new way to insult the president, these people decided, so that’s what the focus should be instead.
How do you think God feels about these Christians who’ve lost sight of the fact that the story is even being told because they’re more focused on attacking the president.
And how do you think Satan feels about it?
I bet one of them is laughing. A lot.
Wow. Â I saw that episode and I didn’t think Satan looked at all like President Obama. I guess that just shows what some people think of him, doesn’t it?
I imagine the producers of the show aren’t pleased at all that this comparison is being made and that this is what people are talking about instead of what they intended. Â
[Did you catch sight of the ring the angel was wearing, by the way? 🙂 It’s visible when he puts his hands up next to Joseph’s head. Â It made me laugh out loud because I was just wondering where his wings were… (though Biblical angels are not generally described as “winged” creatures)]
Cathryn (aka Strange)Â Considering that Burnett has been a contributor to Obama’s campaign fund, I’m sure they’re not happy about the political fighting. Considering that he and his wife felt this production was a calling for them, I’m sure they’re not happy about the shifted focus, either.
I will look for the scene you mention. It looks like I’m going to have to wait until it comes out on DVD, since I missed the first couple of installments.
patricksplace Cathryn (aka Strange) You might not have to wait.  It looks like they will be re-airing all the episodes the next couple weeks so you may be able to catch them – or tape them.
http://www.history.com/shows/the-bible/episodes