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{{short description|Religion as a theme in the American animated television series The Simpsons}}
]
] is one of many recurring themes on the ] animated television series '']''.<ref name="god">{{Cite web |title=God and the Simpsons |url=http://individual.utoronto.ca/johnbowen/dare/simpsons.html |last=Bowler |first=Gerry |year=2001 |publisher=Talkback |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615171325/http://individual.utoronto.ca/johnbowen/dare/simpsons.html |archive-date=2008-06-15 |access-date=2008-11-08}}</ref> Much of the series' religious humor satirizes aspects of ] and religion in general. However, some episodes, such as "]" and "]", can be interpreted as having a ] theme. The show has been both praised and criticized by atheists, agnostics, liberals, conservatives and religious people in general for its portrayal of faith and religion in society. The show can function as a mediator of biblical literacy among younger generations of ] viewers.<ref name="literacy">{{Cite web |title=Biblical Literacy and the Simpsons |url=https://www.academia.edu/4555717 |last=Myles |first=Robert |year=2015 |publisher=Rethinking Biblical Literacy |access-date=2015-04-07 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
] is one of the major themes on the animated show '']''.<ref name="god">{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20080615171325/http://individual.utoronto.ca/johnbowen/dare/simpsons.html|title=God and the Simpsons|last=Bowler|first=Gerry|date=2001|publisher=Talkback|accessdate=2008-11-08}}</ref>


In the series, the Simpson family attends services led by ]. The church's denomination is identified as the "Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism" in the episode "]." This is generally interpreted as representing the multitude of American Protestant traditions in general and not one specific denomination.
Much of the humor satirizes aspects of ]. However, the series is not necessarily ], as some episodes (such as ] and ]) are actually quite spiritual in nature. Most episodes call for a more sensible, tolerant and less fanatical, religious devotion. For example, the episode '']'' depicts ]' campaign against ]. This campaign is opposed by ], who eventually explains that she respects his belief in ], but that it shouldn't be taught in schools.


==Analysis==
==Character attitudes==
Although ''The Simpsons'' often mocks religion, it has received support from some religious quarters. In a 2001 article for '']'', John Dart argued that <blockquote>"he enormous popularity of ''The Simpsons'', now in its 12th television season, suggests that religious people have a sense of humor&nbsp;— contrary to the usual wisdom in Hollywood. The program takes more satirical jabs at spiritual matters than any other TV show, yet the erratic cartoon family has an appreciative audience among many people of faith and among many analysts of religion. The reason? Perhaps it’s because ''The Simpsons'' is an equal-opportunity satire: it shrewdly targets all sorts of foibles and hypocrisies, not just religious ones. Perhaps it’s also because the show is exceptionally aware of the significant place religion has in the American landscape."<ref name="Dart">{{Cite web |title=Simpsons Have Soul |url=http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2113 |last=Dart |first=John |date=2001-01-31 |website=] |access-date=2011-11-26}}</ref></blockquote>
The most religious characters on the show are ] and ]. Flanders, a graduate of ], appears to be ] and appears to express little tolerance to other faiths and ] claiming they are all ], and those who follow said beliefs will go to ]. Nevertheless, Ned is perhaps the most genuinely compassionate character on the show and is an exemplar of ] and the ]. He usually has a positive outlook on life and does not go out of his way to express his intolerance. Lovejoy seems to resent the fact that the Doctor ]'s family joined the First ] of ], while Ned tells ], who is a ], that he might as well be praying to ]. In another episode, Rev. Lovejoy says to Ned Flanders, during an annoying phone call: "Ned, have you considered any of the other major religions? They're all pretty much the same."


The February 5, 2001 edition of ]'s '']'', titled ''Saint Flanders'', featured Ned Flanders, Homer, and Marge on the cover and described Flanders as "the most visible evangelical to many Americans."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saint Flanders |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/february5/ |last=Volume 45, Number 2 |date=2001-02-05 |publisher=Christianity Today |access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref> In one of the issue's articles, Dart argued, among other things, that "At home, the less devout are probably tuned to the competition, '']''."<ref name="Dart2">{{Cite web |title=How Big Is The Simpsons? |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/february5/3.34.html |last=Dart |first=John |date=2001-02-05 |website=] |access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref> In July 2007, ''Christianity Today'' film reviewer Russ Breimeier gave '']'' a positive review, stating "Most television shows don't translate well to the big screen, and that's especially true for 15- or 30-minute cartoons that don't have the depth or nuance to expand into feature length. But ''The Simpsons'', with its broad range of slapstick and satire, effortlessly stretches to four times the usual length of a 22-minute episode, yielding one of the most successful television-to-cinema transplants I've ever seen: "Best ... feature-length ... episode ... ever" and that "If you agree that ''The Simpsons'' has soured somewhat over the last five years, fear not. ''The Simpsons Movie'' reunites several of the veterans responsible for the golden age of the series, including creator Matt Groening, director David Silverman (''Monsters, Inc.''), and contributing writers James L. Brooks, Al Jean, John Swartzwelder, David Mirkin, Ian-Maxtone-Graham, among others—eleven writers, four consultants."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Breimeier |first=Russ |date=2007-07-27 |title=The Simpsons Movie |publisher=Christianity Today |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/julyweb-only/simpsonsmovie.html |access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref>
] has been, since ], been a ], although she accepts the family's beliefs (after advice from ]), going to church with them and celebrating Christian holidays.


In December 2009, an article published in '']'', the ]'s official newspaper, praised ''The Simpsons'' for its "realistic" way of dealing with religion. "] finds in God his last refuge, even though he sometimes gets His name sensationally wrong. But these are just minor mistakes, after all; the two know each other well", the article said.<ref>. ''Business Standard''. December 26, 2009.</ref> The Simpson family is often seen attending church, a practice described by Dart as "rarely seen or mentioned in other TV shows."<ref name=Dart/> ''Simpsons'' creator ] has also stated that ''The Simpsons'' is one of the few shows on television where the family attends church regularly. The characters in the family are often seen ].<ref name=Dart/> William Romanowski, author of the book ''Pop Culture Wars: Religion and the Role of Entertainment in American Life'', noted that "''The Simpsons'' is not dismissive of faith, but treats religion as an integral part of American life. Episodes that I’ve seen are not so much irreverent toward religion, but poke fun at American attitudes and practices."<ref name=Dart/>
==Deities==
] has appeared several times - with a distinctively five-fingered hand - watching over and sometimes interacting with the show's characters (usually Ned Flanders or Homer.) The Hindu deity ] sits in the centre of the earth, controlling the world with numerous ]s.<ref>"]"</ref> There are also numerous references to the Hindu deity ], mostly by Homer when interacting with Apu. In many episodes Jesus is portrayed as a man with a long brown beard and white clothing, particularly when Homer is sent to heaven. In one intro for a Treehouse of Horror, Kang and Kodos fast-forward a baseball game until the earth becomes a giant vacuum that sucks in the entire universe; before all turns to a white emptiness, God (having a very similar appearance to Jesus) holds on to the edges of the world before he too is sucked in. {{reason=Please provide the episode ID/link/name|date=October 2009}}


One episode that heavily features religion is "]" (1995). While discussing ''The Simpsons''{{'}} treatment of religion in his ''Drawn to Television'' book, M. Keith Booker cites a scene from the episode where Milhouse asks Bart what religions have to gain by lying about concepts such as the existence of a soul&nbsp;– and then the scene cuts to Reverend Lovejoy counting his money. Booker believes that this implies that religions create mythologies so that they can gain money from followers. He juxtaposes this with Bart's realization later in the episode that "life suddenly feels empty and incomplete" without a soul, which suggests "either that the soul is real or it is at least a useful fiction".<ref name="booker">{{Cite book |last=Booker |first=M. Keith |title=Drawn to television: prime-time animation from the Flintstones to Family guy |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |year=2006 |isbn=0-275-99019-2 |page=65}}</ref> The episode has been used in church courses about the nature of a soul in ] and in the ],<ref>{{Cite news |last=The Hartford Courant staff |date=February 21, 2004 |title=Religion Notes |page=D4 |work=] |publisher=The Hartford Courant Co.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Radnedge |first=Aidan |date=February 10, 2004 |title=Sunday school turns to Homer Simpson |work=East Sussex County Publications}}</ref> and was shown by a minister in ] in one of his sermons.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Aberdeen Press & Journal staff |date=October 9, 2004 |title=Kirk minister puts Simpsons in pulpit |work=] |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-13645058_ITM |url-status=dead |access-date=2009-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016000852/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-13645058_ITM |archive-date=October 16, 2012}} (archived at AccessMyLibrary.com)</ref> A 2005 report on religious education in secondary schools by the UK education watchdog group ] (Ofsted) noted that the episode was being used as a teaching tool.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harris |first=Sarah |date=January 1, 2006 |title=On 7th day, God created... |page=047 |work=Sunday Territorian}}</ref>
==The Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism==
'''The Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism''' is the ] ] church which most ] attend. It is the show's titular church, though not the only church in Springfield (] and ] churches also exist). The unusually specific name is a parody of Protestant ] branching off into other ] and ].


As of 2017, more than 95% of ''The Simpsons'' episodes explicitly referenced religion.{{Sfn|Feltmate|2017|p=1}} The show advocates ideas of religious pluralism and exploring spiritual beliefs independently, while it criticizes the use of religion and spirituality to avoid responsibility.{{Sfn|Feltmate|2017|pp=53–54}}
] is a member of the ] of Presbylutheranism. The denomination, headquartered in ], ], is led by "], the ]," who is also the elected head of the National Congress of ]s.<ref>"]"</ref>


===Formation=== == Religions ==
] (but not ] itself) are heavily parodied by the show, and are often portrayed as failing to meet the standards set by the faith.{{Sfn|Feltmate|2017|p=22}} The season 4 episode "]" challenges the necessity of attending church in order to be a good Christian, exploring topics of religious individualism and religious certainty.{{Sfn|Feltmate|2017|pp=33–37}} The season 13 episode "]" criticizes churches that operate for profit rather than practicing Christian teachings.{{Sfn|Feltmate|2017|pp=41–45}} ] is the show's archetype of an evangelical Christian. He is often used to portray evangelical Christianity in a negative light, with the show suggesting that he is not capable of thinking outside of his Biblical framework.{{Sfn|Feltmate|2017|p=20}} In the season 12 episode "]", he burns a document proving that God does not exist. In the season 17 episode "]", he leads a movement to teach ] in schools before being proved wrong in a trial that parodied the ].{{Sfn|Feltmate|2017|pp=59–60}}
The Schism of ] in 1573 marked the Presbylutherans' official split from an un-named Church over the Presbylutherans' right to attend church with wet hair. That right has since been abolished.<ref>episode "]"</ref>


In the season 13 episode "She of Little Faith", ] converts to Buddhism after her church's ] causes her to lose faith. The episode portrays her adoption of Buddhism as spiritually fulfilling in contrast to her poor experience in church, and it serves as an example of how religion can accept consumerism without being overtaken by it.{{Sfn|Feltmate|2017|pp=41–45}}
===Outlook on other religions===
The church is know not at odds with Catholicism (even though they stopped feuding with each other). Reverend Lovejoy has a rivalry with a local Episcopal church,<ref> "]"</ref> and he engages in a brawl with a Catholic priest after an exchange of hostilities.<ref>"]"</ref>


] is the most significant Hindu character on ''The Simpsons''. He keeps a shrine to ] in his store, the ].{{Sfn|Feltmate|2017|p=4}}
Lovejoy dislikes ]. When he offers the Simpson children a bowl of Unitarian ] at a church social function and ] points out that it is empty, Lovejoy indicates that that is the point.


In the season 3 episode ], it is revealed that ] is ] and has had a strained relationship with his father due to differing career plans. At the end, Bart and Lisa reunite Krusty with his father, who makes amends with Krusty. Later episodes mention Krusty's Judaism and focus on his struggling identity.
Native religions, for instance those which are found in the south ], are seen as inferior, and missionary activity is employed to ridicule away the beliefs of aboriginal peoples.<ref>"]"</ref> The church also has enemies on a more social level, including ] and ]. However, the Presbylutherans have members of varying levels of religiosity and devotion, and are generally not at odds with modernism. It could be seen as a conservative ] church.


In the season 10 episode "]", Homer and Lisa visit a New Age store that is portrayed as a compilation of appropriated religious practices and cultures, though Lisa ultimately creates meaning for herself while in the store.{{Sfn|Feltmate|2017|p=51}}
==Movementarianism==<!-- This section is linked from ] -->
]
'''Movementarianism''', whose followers are known as '''Movementarians''', is portrayed as an evil brainwashing cult which for a brief time ensnared many of Springfield's citizens in the episode "]". The Movementarians are led by a mysterious figure known only as "The Leader" who is seen only in portrait.


== Episodes with focus on religious topics ==
===Recruitment===
*"]{{-"}} (], 1990)&nbsp;– ]
Movementarians recruit new members using the following method:
*"]" (], 1991)&nbsp;– Christianity
# Attracting the attention of potential members at airports and other public places and inviting them to a free weekend retreat.
*"]" (], 1991)&nbsp;– Judaism<ref>{{Cite book|last=Pinsky|first=Mark I.|title=The Gospel according to The Simpsons, Bigger and Possibly Even Better!|publisher=Westminster John Knox Press|year=2007|isbn=9780664231606|edition=2nd|quote=Krusty and Judaism are the center of a 1991 Emmy-winning episode entitled “Like Father, Like Clown.” The show’s premise is a reworking of the 1927 movie classic The Jazz Singer, which starred Al Jolson and was made again, with considerably less success, in 1953 (starring Danny Thomas) and in 1980 (starring Neil Diamond). The film tells the story of a Jewish cantor who disowns his son because the young man chooses to be an entertainer.}}</ref>
# At the weekend retreat, the attendees are shown brainwashing films. Should that fail, the Movementarians use other techniques like feeding them meals of low-protein gruel, getting them to participate in chanting rituals or forcing them to sit before the circle of judgment where they are ridiculed to conform.
*"]" (], 1992)&nbsp;– Christianity and faith
# Once members are ensnared, the recruits are obliged to hand over their life savings and the deeds to their houses. The recruits then move into the Movementarian ] compound to harvest ].
*"]" (], 1993)&nbsp;– the ] and the ]

*"]" (], 1995)&nbsp;– Christianity and existence of the soul
===Beliefs===
*"]" (], 1996) &nbsp;– Christianity and ]
The Movementarians believe that their religious figurehead - The Leader - will one day open the doors of "The Forbidden Barn" and lead them to the planet of "Blisstonia" ("well known for its high levels of bliss"). The Cult members live in a Movementarian compound, where they do backbreaking labor all day and watch as the Leader rides around in what appears to be a ]. Cultists are forced to perform labor for thousands of years before being able to travel to Blisstonia. The religion also includes a ] in which all of its members are matched up on a printout. These marriages include ] and ]. The Leader's will is actually carried out by a small group of especially devoted followers who recruit members, perform rituals (such as the mass marriage) and run the compounds.
*"]" (], 1997) &nbsp;– Christianity

*"]" (], 1997) &nbsp;- ]
===The Leader===
*"]" (], 1997)&nbsp;– faith, belief of angels, and ]
The Leader is a mysterious figurehead who is worshiped completely by the Cult followers. He aspires to brainwash and dominate the will of the people of Springfield and take their money. His followers try to bend others' wills to worship the leader via methods such as chanting, brainwashing videos and low protein gruel. The Leader lives in the "Forbidden Barn," and would sometimes observe the workers, while driving around in a black limo, and would wave his visible white-gloved hand to the people. In the end, it is revealed that The Leader is actually a fraud after Homer opened the doors to The Forbidden Barn. The cultists see a spaceship inside, which rises but eventually falls apart, revealing the Leader who is riding a flying bicycle filled with money bags, and making spaceship sounds with wax paper and a comb. At first, ], a local news anchor, was extremely skeptical of the leader, even starting a brief expose in which an image of the Leader looking like a ] is shown. But, it turns out that the station was bought by The Leader and Kent immediately begins singing his praises. The Leader is eventually caught after crash landing on Cletus's dirt farm - with Cletus claiming the town's money carried by the Leader with the aid of a shotgun. Mr Burns when hearing about the Leader trys to make his own religion, and after several failed attempts at a logo (Including the Kellogs Special K "K", to which Smithers states some people worship), they eventually come up with a green Christmas tree with a yellow B in the center. Burns is later shown as 'their God' in which he is portrayed as an incredibly muscley figure with long hair and beard, but at a ceremony the wax costume he is wearing catches on fire from a sparkler. Lenny claims "It's good... but it's no Special K!"
*"]" (], 1998)&nbsp;– ]s and ]

*"]" (], 1999)&nbsp;– Judaism and Christianity
===Education===
*"]" (], 2000)&nbsp;– ]
]
*"]" (], 2000)&nbsp;– Christianity, Heaven and Hell
In grade school the children are asked questions by a teacher with all answers being "the Leader". In pre-school, a dinosaur mascot remarkably similar to ] sings "We love him, he loves we! We're The Leader's family!"
*"]" (], 2001)&nbsp;– Christianity

*"]" (], 2001)&nbsp;– ], Christianity (] e.x. ]) and ]
===Influences===
*"]" (], 2003)&nbsp;– Christianity
According to the DVD commentary for the episode, the Movementarians were largely inspired by ], the ] cult and the ], the ], the ], the ], the ] and ]. Also, the movementarian compound features elements from the Cult TV series '']'', such as the ] guard "balloon". Also, the mass marriage may reference the ], ] sects, or both.
*"]" (], 2003)&nbsp;– Judaism

*"]" (], 2005)&nbsp;– Christianity
==Islam==
*"]" (], 2005)&nbsp;– Christianity and Judgment Day

*"]" (], 2005)&nbsp;– Christianity (])<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Fuchs |first=John Andreas |year=2010 |title=Showing Faith: Catholicism in American TV Series |journal=Moravian Journal of Literature and Film |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=79–98}}</ref>
Excluding the odd reference by Reverend Lovejoy to "], ]s and ]s," condemning ] (who is Jewish, not Muslim) for corrupting the young in ], the religion of ] or ] characters had not featured heavily in the show's 19-year history until the 2008 episode '']''. The episode was largely known for being the first episode of The Simpsons to have Islam portrayed in a large role.
*"]" (], 2005)&nbsp;– Christianity

*"]" (], 2006)&nbsp;– Christianity
Prior to this, major references to Islam or Muslims have been limited. However, in the episode "]", Homer proclaims, "I'm gonna die! ], ], ], I love you all!" when fearing for his life. In "]", the Simpsons go to see "Song of ]." There is a lyric in the main song which says that Shelbyville is home to Christians, Muslims, and Jews "although not many of the last two." This makes a ] and an ] in attendance feel uncomfortable. In "]" Krusty touched upon many religions by saying, "So, have a merry ], happy ], kwazy ], a tip-top ], and a solemn, dignified ]."
*"]" (], 2006)&nbsp;– ] vs. ]

*"]" (], 2006)&nbsp;– Hinduism and ]
==Religious episodes==
*"]" (], 2007)&nbsp;– Christianity, ]
Listed below are examples of significantly religious episodes.
*"]" (], 2008)&nbsp;– ]

*"]" (], 1991) - Dedicated to ]. *"]" (], 2009)&nbsp;– Christianity (Catholicism)
*"]" (], 1991) - Dedicated to ]. *"]" (], 2009)&nbsp;– ]
*"]" (], 1992) - Dedicated to faith. *"]" (], 2010)&nbsp;– Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
*"]" (], 1995) - Dedicated to soul. *"]" (], 2012)&nbsp;– Faith
*"]" (], 1997) - Dedicated to faith. *"]" (], 2013)&nbsp;- Christianity (] and "Scottish Old Believer ]")
*"]" (], 1998) - Dedicated to ]. *"]" (], 2013)&nbsp;– Christianity and faith
*"]" (], 1999) - Dedicated to ]. *"]" (], 2014)&nbsp;– Judaism and the ]
*"]" (], 2000) - Dedicated to faith. *"]" (], 2018)&nbsp;– Christianity, ], and Buddhism
*"]" (], 2001) - Dedicated to ]. *"]" (], 2019)&nbsp;– Buddhism (] and ])
*"]" (], 2001) - Dedicated to ]. *"]" (], 2019)&nbsp;– Atheism, ], and Christianity
*"]" (], 2003) - Dedicated to ]. *"]" (], 2020)&nbsp;– Christianity
*"]" (], 2003) - Dedicated to ].
*"]" (], 2005) - Dedicated to ].
*"]" (], 2005) - Dedicated to ].
*"]" (], 2005) - Dedicated to ].
*"]" (], 2005) - Dedicated to ].
*"]" (], 2006) - Dedicated to ] and ].
*"]" (], 2008) - Dedicated to ].
*"]" (], 2009) - Dedicated to ].
*"]" (], 2009) - Dedicated to ].


==See also== ==See also==
* ] {{Portal|The Simpsons|Religion}}
* ] *]
*]
*]


==Notes== ==Notes==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==

* {{Cite book |last=Feltmate |first=David |url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.18574/nyu/9781479859184.001.0001/html |title=Drawn to the Gods: Religion and Humor in The Simpsons, South Park, and Family Guy |publisher=New York University Press |year=2017 |doi=10.18574/nyu/9781479859184.001.0001 |isbn=9781479859184}}


==Further reading== ==Further reading==
*{{cite book | last =Pinsky | first =Mark I. | title =The Gospel According to The Simpsons: The Spiritual Life of the World's Most Animated Family | publisher =Westminster John Knox Press | date =2001 | month =August | isbn =0664224199 | page =164 }} *{{Cite book |last=Pinsky |first=Mark I. |url=https://archive.org/details/gospelaccordingt00mark/page/164 |title=The Gospel According to The Simpsons: The Spiritual Life of the World's Most Animated Family |date=August 2001 |publisher=Westminster John Knox Press |isbn=0-664-22419-9 |page= |url-access=registration}}
*{{Cite magazine|last=Pinsky|first=Mark I.|date=November 2007|title=The Simpsons have skeletons in their closet. And they're shaped like menorahs...|url=https://momentmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/simpsons.pdf|magazine=Tablet Magazine}}


==External links== ==External links==
* at ] * at ]

{{The Simpsons}} {{The Simpsons}}
{{Religion in The Simpsons}}
{{Relphilpop}} {{Relphilpop}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Religion in ''The Simpsons''}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Religion In The Simpsons}}
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Latest revision as of 16:49, 27 April 2024

Religion as a theme in the American animated television series The Simpsons

Religion is one of many recurring themes on the American animated television series The Simpsons. Much of the series' religious humor satirizes aspects of Christianity and religion in general. However, some episodes, such as "Bart Sells His Soul" and "Alone Again, Natura-Diddily", can be interpreted as having a spiritual theme. The show has been both praised and criticized by atheists, agnostics, liberals, conservatives and religious people in general for its portrayal of faith and religion in society. The show can function as a mediator of biblical literacy among younger generations of irreligious viewers.

In the series, the Simpson family attends services led by Reverend Lovejoy. The church's denomination is identified as the "Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism" in the episode "The Father, the Son, and the Holy Guest Star." This is generally interpreted as representing the multitude of American Protestant traditions in general and not one specific denomination.

Analysis

Although The Simpsons often mocks religion, it has received support from some religious quarters. In a 2001 article for The Christian Century, John Dart argued that

"he enormous popularity of The Simpsons, now in its 12th television season, suggests that religious people have a sense of humor — contrary to the usual wisdom in Hollywood. The program takes more satirical jabs at spiritual matters than any other TV show, yet the erratic cartoon family has an appreciative audience among many people of faith and among many analysts of religion. The reason? Perhaps it’s because The Simpsons is an equal-opportunity satire: it shrewdly targets all sorts of foibles and hypocrisies, not just religious ones. Perhaps it’s also because the show is exceptionally aware of the significant place religion has in the American landscape."

The February 5, 2001 edition of Billy Graham's Christianity Today, titled Saint Flanders, featured Ned Flanders, Homer, and Marge on the cover and described Flanders as "the most visible evangelical to many Americans." In one of the issue's articles, Dart argued, among other things, that "At home, the less devout are probably tuned to the competition, Touched by an Angel." In July 2007, Christianity Today film reviewer Russ Breimeier gave The Simpsons Movie a positive review, stating "Most television shows don't translate well to the big screen, and that's especially true for 15- or 30-minute cartoons that don't have the depth or nuance to expand into feature length. But The Simpsons, with its broad range of slapstick and satire, effortlessly stretches to four times the usual length of a 22-minute episode, yielding one of the most successful television-to-cinema transplants I've ever seen: "Best ... feature-length ... episode ... ever" and that "If you agree that The Simpsons has soured somewhat over the last five years, fear not. The Simpsons Movie reunites several of the veterans responsible for the golden age of the series, including creator Matt Groening, director David Silverman (Monsters, Inc.), and contributing writers James L. Brooks, Al Jean, John Swartzwelder, David Mirkin, Ian-Maxtone-Graham, among others—eleven writers, four consultants."

In December 2009, an article published in L'Osservatore Romano, the Holy See's official newspaper, praised The Simpsons for its "realistic" way of dealing with religion. "Homer finds in God his last refuge, even though he sometimes gets His name sensationally wrong. But these are just minor mistakes, after all; the two know each other well", the article said. The Simpson family is often seen attending church, a practice described by Dart as "rarely seen or mentioned in other TV shows." Simpsons creator Matt Groening has also stated that The Simpsons is one of the few shows on television where the family attends church regularly. The characters in the family are often seen praying. William Romanowski, author of the book Pop Culture Wars: Religion and the Role of Entertainment in American Life, noted that "The Simpsons is not dismissive of faith, but treats religion as an integral part of American life. Episodes that I’ve seen are not so much irreverent toward religion, but poke fun at American attitudes and practices."

One episode that heavily features religion is "Bart Sells His Soul" (1995). While discussing The Simpsons' treatment of religion in his Drawn to Television book, M. Keith Booker cites a scene from the episode where Milhouse asks Bart what religions have to gain by lying about concepts such as the existence of a soul – and then the scene cuts to Reverend Lovejoy counting his money. Booker believes that this implies that religions create mythologies so that they can gain money from followers. He juxtaposes this with Bart's realization later in the episode that "life suddenly feels empty and incomplete" without a soul, which suggests "either that the soul is real or it is at least a useful fiction". The episode has been used in church courses about the nature of a soul in Connecticut and in the United Kingdom, and was shown by a minister in Scotland in one of his sermons. A 2005 report on religious education in secondary schools by the UK education watchdog group Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) noted that the episode was being used as a teaching tool.

As of 2017, more than 95% of The Simpsons episodes explicitly referenced religion. The show advocates ideas of religious pluralism and exploring spiritual beliefs independently, while it criticizes the use of religion and spirituality to avoid responsibility.

Religions

Christians (but not Christianity itself) are heavily parodied by the show, and are often portrayed as failing to meet the standards set by the faith. The season 4 episode "Homer the Heretic" challenges the necessity of attending church in order to be a good Christian, exploring topics of religious individualism and religious certainty. The season 13 episode "She of Little Faith" criticizes churches that operate for profit rather than practicing Christian teachings. Ned Flanders is the show's archetype of an evangelical Christian. He is often used to portray evangelical Christianity in a negative light, with the show suggesting that he is not capable of thinking outside of his Biblical framework. In the season 12 episode "HOMR", he burns a document proving that God does not exist. In the season 17 episode "The Monkey Suit", he leads a movement to teach creationism in schools before being proved wrong in a trial that parodied the Scopes trial.

In the season 13 episode "She of Little Faith", Lisa Simpson converts to Buddhism after her church's consumerism causes her to lose faith. The episode portrays her adoption of Buddhism as spiritually fulfilling in contrast to her poor experience in church, and it serves as an example of how religion can accept consumerism without being overtaken by it.

Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is the most significant Hindu character on The Simpsons. He keeps a shrine to Ganesha in his store, the Kwik-E-Mart.

In the season 3 episode Like Father, Like Clown, it is revealed that Krusty the Clown is Jewish and has had a strained relationship with his father due to differing career plans. At the end, Bart and Lisa reunite Krusty with his father, who makes amends with Krusty. Later episodes mention Krusty's Judaism and focus on his struggling identity.

In the season 10 episode "Make Room for Lisa", Homer and Lisa visit a New Age store that is portrayed as a compilation of appropriated religious practices and cultures, though Lisa ultimately creates meaning for herself while in the store.

Episodes with focus on religious topics

See also

Notes

  1. Bowler, Gerry (2001). "God and the Simpsons". Talkback. Archived from the original on 2008-06-15. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
  2. Myles, Robert (2015). "Biblical Literacy and the Simpsons". Rethinking Biblical Literacy. Retrieved 2015-04-07.
  3. ^ Dart, John (2001-01-31). "Simpsons Have Soul". The Christian Century. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
  4. Volume 45, Number 2 (2001-02-05). "Saint Flanders". Christianity Today. Retrieved 2019-12-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. Dart, John (2001-02-05). "How Big Is The Simpsons?". Christianity Today. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
  6. Breimeier, Russ (2007-07-27). "The Simpsons Movie". Christianity Today. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  7. "Vatican praises 'The Simpsons'". Business Standard. December 26, 2009.
  8. Booker, M. Keith (2006). Drawn to television: prime-time animation from the Flintstones to Family guy. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 65. ISBN 0-275-99019-2.
  9. The Hartford Courant staff (February 21, 2004). "Religion Notes". The Hartford Courant. The Hartford Courant Co. p. D4.
  10. Radnedge, Aidan (February 10, 2004). "Sunday school turns to Homer Simpson". East Sussex County Publications.
  11. Aberdeen Press & Journal staff (October 9, 2004). "Kirk minister puts Simpsons in pulpit". Aberdeen Press & Journal. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved 2009-04-02. (archived at AccessMyLibrary.com)
  12. Harris, Sarah (January 1, 2006). "On 7th day, God created...". Sunday Territorian. p. 047.
  13. Feltmate 2017, p. 1.
  14. Feltmate 2017, pp. 53–54.
  15. Feltmate 2017, p. 22.
  16. Feltmate 2017, pp. 33–37.
  17. ^ Feltmate 2017, pp. 41–45.
  18. Feltmate 2017, p. 20.
  19. Feltmate 2017, pp. 59–60.
  20. Feltmate 2017, p. 4.
  21. Feltmate 2017, p. 51.
  22. Pinsky, Mark I. (2007). The Gospel according to The Simpsons, Bigger and Possibly Even Better! (2nd ed.). Westminster John Knox Press. ISBN 9780664231606. Krusty and Judaism are the center of a 1991 Emmy-winning episode entitled "Like Father, Like Clown." The show's premise is a reworking of the 1927 movie classic The Jazz Singer, which starred Al Jolson and was made again, with considerably less success, in 1953 (starring Danny Thomas) and in 1980 (starring Neil Diamond). The film tells the story of a Jewish cantor who disowns his son because the young man chooses to be an entertainer.
  23. Fuchs, John Andreas (2010). "Showing Faith: Catholicism in American TV Series". Moravian Journal of Literature and Film. 2 (1): 79–98.

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