ajm51987

I have never read that book, but I did hear something about using the episodes as sunday school material?? I dunno, but I have noticed that the first 1-2 seasons the themes where heaver than those later on, however one of my favorite quotes by Rev. Lovejoy

"You know Ned you might want to try one of the other major religions, there all pretty much the same"

The Naked Mage

Rev. Lovejoy: "Get a divorce."

Mrs. Lovejoy: "Mmm-hmm."

Marge: "But isn't that a sin?"

Rev. Lovejoy: "<sighs> Marge, just about everything is a sin. <picks up Bible> Have you ever sat down and read this thing? Technically, we're not allowed to go to the bathroom."

jayh

And since this is an entertainment show, he lets the religious have their day from time to time too (including Apu (sp?) and Krusty)

The angel episode reflected, I think, the involvement of Stephen J Gould who played himself. Gould, while basically rational, never could quite break completely with religion, always leaving the door a little open, and it reflects on that episode.

Jay

Arrowman

I think there is a parallel here between "The Simpsons" and "Monty Python's Life of Brian". Neither actually parodies religion per se so much as what people and institutions do with religion.

I remember when "Life of Brian" was first released there was an uproar in some sections of the Christiam community. But a senior Anglican (can't recall who) at the time told his flock that they should go and see the movie, because it contained some excellent lessons in following false prophets etc. Which was indeed one of the themes of the movie. I see most of the references to religion in "The Simpsons" in the same way - neither pro nor anti religion, just irreverent and with some valid points for the religious to ponder, as well as for the non-religious to laugh at.

Corgan Sow

The Simpsons showed late two years in my cable, and I actually caught that classic "SAVE ME JEBUS!" episode!

Best ever! (I love it when the same catchphrase appeared after the credit!!!)

Cretinist

I would have to disagree. I've watched The Simpsons for years, and I can't think of a single episode that had religious themes that didn't consistently poke fun at religion or religious beliefs in general.

I think what that episode reflects is a clear message that religion is a money making scam, since the angel was a hoax to get people to come to the grand opening of a new mall. What else could you possibly draw from this?

openeyes

I'm not a regular Simpsons viewer, but my 12 year old loves it, so I've seen a few episodes. My reaction is that it pokes fun at religion for all the obvious reasons (to us non-believers anyway) but doesn't quite close the door totally on there possibly being a god. I'm disappointed with this "crack", but I'm thinking it's to keep a larger audience. It's really a funny show overall.

(My son watches the reruns daily if at home. He also tunes in on Sunday evening. I usually enjoy the Fox lineup of The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and Malcolm in the Middle. Humor more original than many shows.)

Arrowman

* shrug * I'll say again. Life of Brian.

jayh

Well first of all I'm not strongly disagreeing with you. But I did observe that it prods religion light heartedly rather than being anti religion rant.

Krusty's Judaism and Apu's Hinduism are lightly satirized, but not enough to cause hurt feelings.


Well it was kind of balanced really. The gullibility of the crowds to believe the miracle, as well as Gould's not bothering to do any of the tests that he had claimed... Lisa is portrayed as getting an enhanced bonding with her mother at the time when she starts to believe.

When Bart sold his soul, bad things started to happen to him as well.... and it's Lisa who cuts the deal to return it.

Having said all that, you get people to think by not going for the jugular, by letting them laugh at themselves (including skeptics). Simpson's does that quite well.

Jay

Cretinist

Arrowman:

I haven't seen many of the Monty Python movies (besides The Meaning of Life), so I can't really comment on any similiarity between it and The Simpsons. However, The Simpsons doesn't limit itself to merely institutions.

And God is a real being in The Simpsons, who actually does things (sort of like in the very anti-religious show South Park). I think this could explain why it may appear The Simpsons doesn't 'close the door', so to speak, on religion.

jayh:

I definitely agree that the show never attacks religion, just pokes and prods it at times. At least, it never does so in an overt fashion.

As for the angels episode, I don't think those elements could be seen as 'pro-religion'. Gould not doing the test is a setup for the absurdity of him needing to urgently use the bathroom and Lisa believing at the last moment seems to just give the scene added effect when it turns out to be a hoax afterall.

As for the Bart-soul episode, I haven't seen it in awhile. But from what I remember, the show is definitely filled with absurd statements like Milhouse's. I would have to look at it again, since the details are a little fuzzy for me, but I think my evaluation would probably remain the same.

Note: About Krusty, on one Christmas episode (the one where Bart stole the game Bone Storm), Krusty at one point says his God is his sponors.