Does a person's physical looks affect the credibility of their religious message?

Jesus is often shown as a slim, neatly bearded man, someone we would call handsome. If he was unattractive, how would that affect YOUR view of him?|||I've often asked how people who claim to be Christian would respond to Jesus walking into their Church, dressed as a carpenter dirtied by his days work; smelly and sweaty, hair messy, beard long and untrimmed.





Would he be allowed in, ushered to some secluded rear seat so as not to offend the membership, or would he guided up front and truly welcomed.





People prejudge; too fat, too thin, too tall, too short; all affecting how we perceive that persons intent behind their message, and what value we assess to them. GREAT QUESTION!|||Actually, he was probably a bearded worn man by the age of thirty instead of a handsome flesh-of-god person. The life expectancy for people then was substantially smaller than now. His words and viewpoints carried him.





But, you said "person's physical looks" but then you siphoned it down to Jesus. It's well known that a good countenance (charisma) will attract followers. Even when Charles Manson was found guilty, his followers believed in his message. He certainly didn't look all that handsome.|||I have heard complaints on Jesus' image in church. He is made to look Nordic in paintings; even Blue Eyes! He was Semitic; so he probably had black hair, dark eyes and skin, and a Big nose.





Yes--we are only Human. How someone looks does affect us. We can't help it; only God can blind us to someones looks.|||Well have you ever seen a serious religion with an ugly messiah?





Have you even seen an ugly deformed preacher? They're non-existent. Aesthetics and symbolism has a lot to do with religion.|||Is shouldn't do. I guess it is possible.|||According to scripture, He was not very handsome at all, and neither was Paul. On top of that, Paul probably had a speech impediment.


So, the answer would be, "no".|||He WAS unattractive. It has obviously effected our view of him, since, in most cases, he has been viewed as handsome.|||Street people that come up to me and tell me to accept Jesus and prepare for the end of the world are frightening. Mental illness always is.|||Yes, it does. For example, I would be less likely to trust the religious message put forth by an ungodly young woman wearing make-up and dressed like a slut.|||it shouldn't matter but it does. There have been several studies done on attractiveness and showing how others treat people who are better looking.|||Sure, do you think that middle class white Christians would worship a black "god"? It would never happen. Guess why "Satan" is portrayed as dark skinned.|||If He'd have been obese, bald, and toothless. That may have affected His impact.|||Well...a hot chick will get me into bed with her (metaphorically OR literally) faster than an ugly one. Does that answer your question?|||I personally don't care how someone looks, if they can tell or show me a way to make my life easier, count me in.|||I won't listen to fat pastor preaching on taking care of your body.|||I certainly wouldn't be posing online as him, because I need someone equally sexy to masquerade as.|||As for Jesus, NO.|||To some people it does. You know we humans are sometimes hung up on appearances