THE SIMPSONS: A RELIGIOUS EXAMPLE TO US ALL, SAY NEW STUDIES

August 30, 2001Aug 30, 2001, 11:00 PM GMT+1

A closer relationship to God through the scruffy, unshaven cartoon character Homer Simpson? Sacrilegious? Not at all, say several new publications which examine the theme of Christianity in the US cartoon series.

“In many ways Simpson family members are both defined and circumscribed by religion,” says Jewish American journalist Mark Pinsky, author of a new book entitled The Gospel According To The Simpsons. “God is not mocked, nor his existence questioned,” he writes.

Minsky’s work, which is due to hit bookstands in October, looks at the family’s beliefs, their evangelical neighbour and the character of pastor Timothy Lovejoy. As the author points out, the Simpsons attend church and regularly pray, if at times in a decidedly unconventional way – witness Marge Simpson promising God “we’ll recommend you to all our friends” if the higher power intervenes on her behalf.

The book, which is subtitled The Spiritual Life Of The World’s Most Animated Family, also covers Hinduism as explored through the beliefs of the series’ shopkeeper and Krusty the Clown’s Judaism.

A recent California anthology entitled The D’oh! Of Homer, reports that religion is an element in 70 percent of randomly selected episodes of the show and plays a major role in ten percent of them. The programme “more accurately reflects the faith lives of Americans than any other show in the medium,” it says.

Many leading religious figures agree. “The Simpsons is one of the most subtle pieces of propaganda around in the cause of sense, humility and virtue,” writes the Archbishop of Wales, the Most Rev Rowan Willams, in his commentary on the cover of Minsky’s book.

Two leading Protestant publications, the liberal Christian Century and conservative Christianity Today, have also given the show the thumbs up in their recent cover stories.

Now in its twelfth season, The Simpsons has not always gathered such plaudits, however. In the past has been criticised for both its jabs at members of the clergy and believers.

Although the cartoon series - which features evangelical neighbour Ned Flanders (above) - has been criticised by religious groups in the past, these days it is finding supporters in unlikely places

According to a recently published report, the programme "more accurately reflects the faith lives of Americans than any other show in the medium"

Lisa, Homer's bright, determined and morally aware daughter provides the most obvious role model in the family

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