CNN anchor Don Lemon used an appearance on ABC’s “The View” to spread the fringe conspiracy theory that Jesus of Nazareth was a “black or brown person” who “looked more like a Muslim,” and railed against a nonexistent image of the Christian holy figure as a “white hippie from Sweden.”
After bragging that white women are always asking him how to end racism after George Floyd, Lemon said, “We have to start being realistic about God and the Bible. If you are a person of faith in this country, and we know America is built on faith and religious freedom, a good way of starting is to present the true identity of Jesus. That is a black or brown person, rather than someone who looks like a white hippie from Sweden or Norway.”
“We should start with that and put that in your home, either a black Jesus or brown Jesus,” Lemon continued. “Jesus looked more like a Muslim or someone who is dark, rather than a blonde-looking carpenter,” Lemon said.
During the same appearance, Lemon delved into the realm of Christian theology, pontificating that he thinks “the Catholic Church and many other churches really need to re-examine themselves and their teachings because that is not what God is about” and “God is not about hindering people or even judging people.”
Debunked conspiracy theories claiming that Jesus was black have circulated more frequently in the wake of 2020’s Black Lives Matter judge, with George Floyd murder trial judge Peter Cahill eventually ruling that the prosecution would not be allowed to compare the convicted felon’s death to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ:
Judge Peter Cahill granted a motion preventing the death of convicted felon George Floyd from being likened to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ during the Derek Chauvin murder trial striking a major blow to Black Lives Matter activists who had hoped to paint Floyd as a martyred holy figure.
The judge was presented with the following motion on Monday:
“The Defendant moves the Court for an Order precluding any expert from likening the death of George Floyd to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the ground that such analogy is prejudicial.”
Judge Cahill agree with the motion and it was passed without incident. The defense team cited previous instances of Floyd being compared to Jesus Christ by eyewitnesses, which were quickly recognized by the judge as inaccurate and prejudicial.
The move was met with outrage by Black Lives Matter activists, who had hoped to paint Floyd as a messianic figure.