So I know about the whole Superman christ metaphor and that El means god in hebrew. Only thing I dont get is why would they have his last name be El if jewish people dont belive christ was the son of god? See I'm jewish myself and all this metaphor stuff (which actually made Supes more intresting to me) just made me think about it all.

I think this should be in another thread since it's not actually a technical question but I feel I should point out that the creators of Superman were themselves Jewish so a Mosses metaphor might apply better.

Kryptonman You should really read "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay"

I actually had been talking to Tim about this at one point. Here's what I had sent to Tim (taken from a couple of different messages I'd sent him) during our discussion on the subject of Superman being (mistakenly in my opinion) an allegory for Christ.
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It's often heard, but what I find amusing is that it was the last thing from Jerry Seigel and Joe Shuster's minds.... given the fact they're both Jewish. LOL

The allegory they were making was probably more one of Moses being sent down the Nile to his new family much more than a Christian image of the coming Messiah. This would fit very well with the image of baby Kal-El being put into a ship and sent off to the safety of another family.

As far as the allegory goes - yes it's heard often. I just wonder if it sometimes goes against the spirit of what the creators of Superman intended for people to read into things, when it was probably very far from their intent.

I am a Catholic, so I can see why people might see the parallels. However, my grandfather is a German/Jew who had to flee Nazi Germany in the late 1930s, so I guess I have a unique perspective to the other side as well.

With Christianity being so prevalent in our society it's easier for many to see the Christian parallels than any other, but I often wish more of the writers/directors would remember not only the roots of the character, but the roots of the creators when approaching certain aspects.

I think that's why I get disappointed when I see the posts/threads on the forums where people discuss what Superman's religious preference might be. I think the spirit and nobility behind who Superman is, and the ideals he embodies, should say more than enough about his character and the values he upholds. The rest is just our need to put a name to things, and that seems rather irrelevant in the grand scheme.

That's my 2 cents anyway. =o)
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As far as El meaning God in Hebrew, that would be just as fitting either way since both Jews and Christians believe in the same one God. It's just that Christians feel the Messiah has come, and Jews don't. However, as I said to Tim, the allegory being made was much more likely to be to Moses than to Jesus.

Just something to think about.

First, I moved this topic here because it seemed to be a more appropriate place for it.

Secondly, the Christ figure in literature has been around for ages. It doesn't matter if the writer(s) is Gentile, Jewish, Athiest, or what, the nature of the Christ figure has been around.

I think Seigel and Shuster took elements not just from Christ and Moses, but other archetypes as well. Overall, I don't think it's a conflict of interest for those gentlemen.

Finally, when Seigel and Shuster first wrote for the last son of Krypton he was the son of Jor-L...no Jor-EL. See the difference?

Okay everyone bow to the endless knowledge that spews forth from the Great and Mighty Steve!

I think we need to do the "WERE NOT WORTHY"

Thanks guys! Raife and Steve especially. You guys helped me clear this question up! I get it now. Its not just that he's one thing or another (superman I mean) he's a combination of many different symbolic figures throughout history.