We Should All Relax and Stop Criticizing CM Punk's "Jesus" Persona

There has been quite the debate raging here at Bleacher Report concerning CM Punk’s apparent “Jesus” persona.

I want to get straight to the point. I am Roman Catholic, and I have absolutely no problem with CM Punk’s recent string of promos.

I will start with the most obvious fact, namely that this is all scripted and not truly the feelings of Punk.

Yes, he does follow the straight-edge lifestyle outside of the ring, but the preaching and force-feeding of the same rhetoric is a result of the creative staff.

Now, some out there say that the creative staff has overstepped their boundaries.

Oh really?

We constantly complain about the WWE’s PG ratings and how we no longer have compelling characters.

We also bitch and moan that characters get stale very quickly.

Remember how in love we all were with Punk’s original heel turn, only to be bored with how monotonous Punk’s promos became?

“Blah, blah, I’m better then you because I’m straight-edge.”

So what does Punk do? He tweaks his character enough to stay true to his straight-edge background, but also gives us something fresh that we can talk about.

This version of Punk is one of THE best characters the WWE has going now.

He generates heat like very few can, and his message is applicable to the audience. There is a connection and a hatred for the man and it is exactly the shot in the arm the WWE needs.

The backlash from Punk’s character was surprising to me to an extent, because this isn’t the first time the WWE has mixed religion with its storylines.

Where were the pitchforks and angry mobs when Chris Jericho returned to the WWE in 2007 for his proclaimed “Second Coming” to “Save Us?"

Lest I forget that would be a Jesus reference from the Book of Revelations.

If memory serves me right, Shane and Vince McMahon had a match against Shawn Michaels and God at Backlash 2006.

Shawn is a born again Christian, yet there was very little controversy regarding this match.

How about Stone Cold Steve Austin?

He created one of the most legendary catchphrases ever with his “Austin 3:16” promo which was a spoof of John 3:16.

How much money did the WWE and Austin make off of that? How many of us owned one of those t-shirts?

Lastly, there is the Undertaker. How could anyone forget about the man who “crucified” others during his time as the head of the ministry?

Does anyone think less of the Deadman now?

No one can deny that there are some religious overtones in what Punk has been saying lately, wanting to be referred to as a savior, and calling himself a shepherd and wanting to guide his “flock” are just a couple examples.

I think the anger directed at Punk’s character is a combination of our inability to be satisfied and our desire to complain.

This is simply the current progression of CM Punk we are witnessing now. Over time, Punk’s character will evolve in a different direction, and he will surely turn face again at some point during his career.

I’m sure in two or three years, there will be some new controversy that will have people up in arms, and Punk’s “Jesus” persona will long since be forgotten.