We have a very basic framework to give us perspective and purpose, but some people take it too far.  I think we have to imagine an afterlife where people are perfect but not the same. 

The fill-in-the-blank's that I hear in church are more plausible because they're spiritual in nature (he was the perfect teacher, the perfect leader), but I still don't buy it.  Instead, why not just start by saying, "Let's see what we can learn from Jesus's example as a teacher."  Was he the perfect wood-worker?

I'm probably not allowed to comment on this as a non-donor.  It's pretty much a religion discussion.