The Gospel According to the Simpsons
Reading the following
articles:
Saint Flanders (electronic course reserve)
Watch the following
clip:
Thought and
Reflection
Could the Simpsons be the most “religious” family and show
on TV? According to the article, religious content or references appear in 70
percent of the episodes. Prominent characters in the show include neighbor Ned
Flanders and the Reverend Lovejoy. The Simpsons family may be seen attending
church more frequently than any other TV family.
Respond to the following quote from the Los Angeles Times article (“The Simpsons Have Soul”):
The Simpsons is not
dismissive of faith, but treats religion as an integral part of American life,”
says William Romanowski of Calvin College, author of “Pop Culture Wars:
Religion and the Role of Entertainment in American Life.” “Episodes that I’ve
seen are not so much irreverent toward religion, but poke fun at American
attitudes and practices.
Respond to the following quote from the “Saint Flanders”
article:
Gerry Bowler, professor of philosophy at Canadian Nazarene College
in Calgary and chairman of the Center for the Study of Christianity and
Contemporary Values, calls Flanders "television's most effective exponent
of a Christian life well-lived."
Do you agree or disagree with this quote? Why or why not?
The article describes an episode in which Flanders attempts
to baptize the Simpson children in the Springfield River (and have them
denounce Satan), but is stopped by Homer before the baptism can take place.
Note the statement in the article:
As
often happens in The Simpsons, the scenario illustrates a serious and historic
theological issue…
Does this show, in your opinion, address (even through
satire) serious historic and theological issues that could not be raised or
addressed in public discussion in any other way?
Today’s Blog
Assignment
Watch the clips and read the assigned articles. Share your
reactions to them. Do the Simpsons reflect mainstream feelings about religion? Respond
to the Romanowski quote. Are they more like most people than we might be
willing to admit? Are they the most religious family on TV? Why or why not?
What do they tell us (or how do they reflect) our own religious beliefs? How
would characterize the religious beliefs of the Simpsons?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTaking my Mormon cap off, I could see how the Simpsons are seen as a religious family. Lets be honest, religion is declining in America and the Simpsons show that quite well. People don't go to church or take it nearly as serious as they once did in the past. As an average person I probably would say that the Simpsons were like a normal person. They go to church because they have to and then they go home and watch football the rest of the day.
ReplyDeleteMormon cap on. I've never really watched the Simpsons (I think I was 3 or 4 the last time I watched an episode) because I find it kind of degrading and just don't like that kind of humor. That point aside I feel it is a very poor representation of religion. Yes it may be what has become the status quo but that doesn't make it right. I feel if we accept views like this as the norm then it's all downhill. When we give up and stop trying to be better and just accept what the media tells us, that's when we lose our religious freedom.
Disclaimer: I have never watched the Simpsons. I agree with what you said through a non-Mormon lens. I actually appreciate how religion is a thing in this show. I feel like in a lot of shows and movies, there is an absence of religion or God. The Simpsons show just the normal American family who goes to church and then does their own thing throughout the week.
DeleteIt is interesting how people can get offended by the way religion is portrayed in any show. Everyone has their own idea of what religion should be, so when a show does not portray it exactly how they think it should be, there is offense taken. Honestly, there are so many different ways that people practice and live their religions. There is truth in any portrayal of any religion. The Simpsons portrayal of an American family's attitudes toward religion has to be taken by something. When it comes to stereotypes, there will always be a bit of truth to it.
Growing up, my parents banned us from watching The Simpsons because they said it was crude and not very uplifting. So before this reading, I knew nothing about The Simpsons nor how or if it related to the gospel.
ReplyDeleteWhile thinking about this topic, church and conference talks about having a sense of humor kept coming to mind. Brad Wilcox a devotional a few years ago entitled, “If We Can Laugh at It, We Can Live with It.” The majority of his talk is focused on the principle that humor can improve our perspective and lighten our load—however he was also mentioned that we must avoid hurtful humor. I really liked the following quote, “Jokes are more fun when they help people feel good about themselves, not embarrassed.” I don’t know enough about The Simpsons to make a lot of claims, but I think the reason my parents didn’t let me watch it was because the show can embarrass people and shed light on topics we are uneasy to talk about—I think humor can be a coping mechanism in helping us discuss things we feel awkward talking about. So yes, I think that The Simpsons do address serious historic and theological issues that could not be addressed any other way.
I watched a few YouTube clips from episodes of The Simpsons and felt kind of uncomfortable watching them but not as uncomfortable as I had other clips. Rather than the Simpsons just making fun of one religion, they poke fun of various—which I think is interesting to note. In the slide-show reading, it looked as though The Simpsons were curious about other religions. In a way, I do think that The Simpsons treat religion as an integral part of family life. I have relatives that are not LDS and I can imagine them watching the show and agreeing with it’s teachings. The creators are not pointing at one religion and mocking them but they are taking various topics from various religions and saying things that probably aren’t that offensive to people who aren’t LDS. I think the reason that I am so uncomfortable with it is because I am not use talking about God in a joking manner—we go to an institution where we include God in all aspects of our life and never mock him.
Like many members of the Church, I wasn't allowed to watch The Simpsons as a kid, but I've still seen several episodes which I thought were both stupid and genius at the same time. Though sometimes they go a little too far in The Simpsons, I think it's healthy for the attitudes and behaviors of all kinds of religious and non-religious people to be scrutinized and even made fun of. It does us well, in my opinion, to step back and see how others view us and our practices so that we understand better what's going on in their minds instead of just ignoring what anyone else thinks and deeming it false no matter what. I think The Simpsons prompts people to take a logical look at what they believe, which can either weaken their faith or strengthen it if they think/pray about it and feel a spiritual affirmation that what they believe is indeed true.
ReplyDeleteSince most shows don't often risk offending people, I'm glad that the producers/writers of The Simpsons are wiling to do it in order to get people thinking and laughing. Their aim isn't to depict every religion accurately by showing how a normal person of that faith is, but they show exaggerated and ridiculous scenarios in which a certain aspect of a religion is explored and satirized. If I had seen more episodes than I could answer the question of whether or not I agree with Gerry Bowler's statement that Flanders is TV's "most effective exponent of a Christian life well-lived", but I somehow doubt he is, unless Bowler only counts current mainstream TV shows.
Overall I feel like the religious beliefs of the Simpsons are not necessarily important, but the characters are just used as a vehicle for satire, humor, and the investigation of religion and culture.
In response to the LA Times article, “The Simpsons Have Soul,” I agree that the reason the Simpsons series was so incredibly successful was in large part due to the way that the characters approached humor in hypocrisy and practices of American culture. Religion and spirituality has always played a large part in our culture and it is very relatable to viewers. When I was reading about the episode in which Bart is trying to decide on which church to attend, I personally know a number of people who have experienced that same paradigm. While the Simpsons are relatable on a religious level, the various jokes throughout the episodes aren’t solely directed at religion, the show disperses humor across the board at many different American attitudes and practices. People notice inconsistencies in religion and life and many don’t have the will to voice them but the Simpsons say what is on everyone’s minds.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with Gerry Bowler’s comment about Flander’s Christain life. As I read in the Saint Flanders article, he was the epitome of a perfect Christain, at least in my eyes. He was devout, knowledgable, friendly, and loving. As a stereotypical Christain, Flanders is even a quite forward when it comes to conversion. I personally find this comical and relatable. As a Christain, I have noticed how our church is very forward in converting people. I don’t find the Simpsons portrayal offensive however mostly because I know it’s humor, sarcasm, and all in good fun.
When Flanders is attempting to baptize the Simpson kids, he addresses historical and theological issues from the past, as learned in the Saint Flanders article. I would never expect another tv show to allude to these past occurrences and I wouldn’t expect them to be addressed in another type of discussion unless it be on the news. The Simpsons uses humor to address some important things that would otherwise not be addressed or considered.
I agree that the Simpsons reflect mainstream feelings about religion. They go to church once a week and don’t really do much more to increase their spirituality. This is usually how Americans worship in a religious setting. Bart said, “I’m not a bad guy. I work hard and I love my kids. So why should I spend half my Sunday hearing about how I’m going to hell?…So I figure I should try to live right and worship you in my own way.” I believe this is the popular notion regarding religion. As we have learned in our class, people are finding their own ways to worship, focusing on spirituality more than religion, causing a sharp decline in religious attendance.
The Simpsons don’t focus on a single religion when they are poking fun at the way people worship. The Simpsons brings humor to various religions and practices of Americans. The Simpsons say what others are thinking, and I do believe they are like the average American.
I’ve never seen the show, but have watched clips on how the show reflects religion. I think the Simpsons did a good job of capturing the stereotypes that every religion has. After watching one about Mormon missionaries, I think it describes how other perceive our missionaries. To me, that wasn’t necessary a bad thing. In this way I think this reflects what others outside of our church must feel like when the missionaries come up to their doorstep.
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure if it’s the most religious family on TV, though. Mentions and poking fun of Christianity is much different than being a devout Christian. When Romanowski said that the show “treats religion as an integral part of American life” I would question the meaning behind this statement. It treats it a ridiculous part of our culture that shouldn’t be taken seriously. If that’s how it’s an integral part of American life, I disagree that it reflects it well. As far as similarities, I think it does reflect how we view the extremes of religion. They make light of extreme religious differences, which could be a good or bad thing. Overall, I think the Simpsons takes a light approach on religion that makes it relatable to everyone without an offensive message. I wouldn’t call them religious, though.
I had no idea about how much religion was added into "The Simpsons!" I find it interesting that the show pokes fun at the little differences between religions and turns the intensity of religion into lightheartedness. "The Simpsons" treats religion as an integral part of American life, but is religion an integral part of American life? There are very few television shows that we see religion taking a substantial part in family life.
ReplyDeleteThe show plays off of various religion stereotypes and places the average American family in situations with these stereotypes. Now, I wonder why more shows do not follow suit. Shows like "Modern Family" and "The Middle" would flourish with more religious undertones. I believe that religion has become so controversial that many shows avoid to include it.
"The Simpsons" has recognized the humor from religious subjects and has been able to gain an audience from including such thoughts. I would love to see another show appropriately do the same.
There's a reason The Simpsons is the longest running sitcom on television. The writers are able to make humor of everything the average American family struggles with. They create the stereotypes that most people have come to life in characters and in situations. I’ve grown up my whole life watching The Simpsons and although sometimes inappropriate, the family often accurately portrays some of the feelings we get about church, going to church, participating in church activities etc. For example, Homer often complains about how boring the sermons are and can’t wait to get home to watch football. As LDS members, we can relate to this because we typically think “I want to go home and take a nap” or “I can’t wait until church is over so I can go eat.” It might seem offensive at times but because the show is a satire most people just shake it off.
ReplyDeleteTaking the Mormon hat off, it’s easy to see why The Simpsons are considered a more religious family. They go to church often. They pray. They talk about God. They talk about their church duties. They often talk about doing the right thing and being Christian. The quote about Ned Flanders is a bit of an exaggeration. I think Ned Flanders is what we depict as people who are over religious who are constantly talking about their religion. Don’t get me wrong Ned Flanders is a good guy who tries “Do what Jesus would do,” but it seems over the top and a bit unrealistic in what most people would really consider a religious person to be.
Whether my mormon cap is on or off, I have to make a confession. I have grown up, alongside my father, watching the Simpsons. Perhaps this is the reason why I am not easily offended when it comes to people poking fun at stereotypes that I might reflect- even religious ones. So, I guess thank you Simpsons for that.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with what the "Simpsons have Soul" article said. I actually like the way the show portrays modern religious attitudes. Thank goodness there is a show on TV that shows religion in all it's forms, while also using stereotypes to make us laugh. Ned Flanders is the christian of all christaians, and for those that watch the show frequently, you know that he and Homer do end up being really good friends. Homer hates it, but Ned's kindness and determination to serve Homer, win him over in the end. I think that sends a very positive message. Also, the Simpsons is a very religious family, but they're not perfect which is why I like them. They pray as a family and sometimes things go wrong or bad things are said, but haven't we all had something like that happen during family prayer? I like that they aren't perfect at it because I'm not either. So, while they do have jokes that are specifically geared towards different religions, I actually think they are portraying religious people in a much more normal way than most shows.
I also appreciate that the writers of this show left no organized religion alone. Every single one got taunted in some way. Now, some will choose to take offense to that, but others will find it refreshing to see that we can all laugh at ourselves a little bit. Also, we have to remember that organized religion, even our LDS religion, is not perfect because it is ran by man. So, I think these jokes- let's take the women with the cross tattoo for example- are kind of reflection of modern problems we do really see in religious organizations. This is a very real part of society whether we want to accept it or not. But, while they poke fun of the organization, the article also mentioned how spirituality is always treated with a sort of reverence. So, in my opinion the show does a good job of poking fun at modern day social problems, while still holding the idea of spirituality in good sights.
When media or television shows are referenced and applied to multiple situations of life, something about their themes must be relevant in society. I never grew up in a household that watched the Simpsons, however I’ve seen several clips in school classes exemplifying certain concepts we are about to learn. The article from today suggests this is because the Simpsons is an equal-opportunity satire, and covers all stereo types of all walks of life. The writers of the show created well-rounded yet neutral characters any person could relate to. The most fascinating aspect of the show is the constant tie to religion. Just like the articles state, there is an over arching theme of religion and faith, possibly making the Simpsons one of the most religious families in America.
ReplyDeleteIt is woven into many of the plot lines and even defines many characteristics of their family at large. With their weekly church attendance and regular prayer, the Simpsons could actually be considered more religious than the majority of Americans today. Most viewers may not even realize just how prominent the ideas of religion are in the series because the concepts are finely ingrained into the plot. The Romanowski quote could not be more spot on. Fully integrating religion into their daily lives allows them to poke fun at religion without being irreverent, because they are making fun of themselves.
While other religious shows plummeted with similar story lines, the Simpsons created an empire through this satire. Their success comes in their humor and light heartedness, making them relatable to vast audiences. Everyone sitting on their couch at home can relate to the the ideas in Homers head, because they are the ideas in all of our heads. There is something comforting about watching a character make mistakes we all make, and motivating when they strive to be a little better. Religion in the Simpson’s offers the same hope to their days, as it does for the viewer back home. While religion can be difficult to come around to (and stick with for that matter), there is something about humor that allows hearts to break and seeds of faith to be planted—a humor that the Simpson’s have mastered.
I think the Simpson’s is an accurate portrayal of how religion is viewed by many families, if not most, families in the United States. Just reading the “top ten religious episodes” list of Simpson’s I found myself laughing at all of the situations the characters found themselves in. I think there is a big difference in the humor that the Simpson’s uses versus what is seen on shows like South Park and Family Guy. I agree with Romanowski is his assumption that the purpose is to poke fun at attitudes and practices because our own LDS faith does exactly the same thing with shows like the R.M. (which we looked at in class), Singles Ward, and The Best Two Years.
ReplyDeleteIf we compare the Simpson’s family to the Griffin’s in Family Guy, I think that both are depicted as being aware of religion but not religious. Both Homer and Peter are shown attending church at times (Homer more so than Peter) but use religion as a punchline rather than a legitimate way to live. In other words, they mostly make fun of the things that make religiosity unnecessary rather than helpful. I think that it reflects the doubt that we all have at times of the necessity of religion in our lives. If we stopped being religious, then what would happen? For the families on TV it doesn’t matter, but for real families it has a big impact. I would say that the Simpsons are a family that is just going through the motions (in a religious sense). They know that it’s important for them to be united as a family but don’t understand why or what the purpose of all of it is. I think that actually reflects a big part of our society and religion – many families keep doing the same type of religious things because it’s how things have always been done. They know it is a good thing, and that it helps themselves and their families, but there is no further promises or reasons why it might be important.
The Simpsons, much like other popular shows like Seinfeld, take normal and current culture scenarios to portray in a humorous way. The inclusion of so many religious references further confirms the importance of religion in our society. Just as the article “Simpsons Have Soul” references, the Simpson’s truly is an “equal-opportunity satire” that finds humor in many other cultural foibles, not just religion.
ReplyDeleteI think the Simpsons actually make religion more relatable to the broader audience. As much as we may hate to admit being members of a very active faith, some of the jokes or satire represents how we can often feel about attending church in a difficult ward/bishop or a 9am sacrament meeting. It also captures the mainstream Christian beliefs and evangelists extremely well.
Although the topic of religion is extremely prevalent in the many Simpsons episodes, I also don’t think it’s fair to call them the most “religious family” on television. I’ve previously written about how religion requires action and being part of an organization both on Sundays and throughout the week. I think there would have to be a stronger emphasis on the positive impact that religion plays in their life to call them the most religious family. The Simpsons don't attack a specific religion in particular, but pull pieces from many religions to produce their humor. This agnostic approach shows the Simpsons focus on humor rather than attack. They generally try to portray themselves as a normal family with normal struggles such as prayer, baptism, church attendance, and other topics covered on the show.
All in all, I do think that entertaining and popular shows like the Simpsons can positively impact the masses. People who have no religious exposure may be more interested in understanding religion because of it’s appeal on a favorite TV show of theirs. However, I do see how the satire may get a little strong and become reality to others and turn them off from investigating the topic.
What I really appreciated about watching some clips and reading the articles is how the Simpsons seem to make fun of almost every religion. As seemingly offensive as some of the religious taunting is, I think some of it can actually uncover some stereotypes and bigotries that pervade society by over-exaggerating them.
ReplyDeleteYour question about if the Simpsons reflect mainstream feelings about religion is honestly hard for me to answer because being raised Mormon makes it hard for me to actually have experience with those mainstream feelings. From interactions with others I know who are not Mormon, I have seen some similarities with the Simpsons, but it’s hard to see complete correlations because of their inconsistency in what type of religious affiliation they choose to take. What I think is a reflection of mainstream feelings is the constant discussion and disagreement between a specific family member or character who chooses to align strongly with one religious ideology and lifestyle and how it can cause a divide between them and someone who at the time is religiously apathetic or unwilling to “jump on the band wagon” with that character. For instance, Lisa’s conversion to Buddhism shows her willingness to take a new path from Christianity, but the rest of the family is still headed in other directions, showing an unwillingness to change. We also see Marge fight against Bart and Homer’s decision to become Catholic. The constant change and dispute within the family does not coin them as highly religious, as a whole, in my opinion.
I definitely don’t think the Simpsons are the most religious family on TV because I think part of the definition of “religious” is being devoted to one ideology and aligning life-styles to that identity. Yes, the Simpsons still do refer to religion very often and even provoke soul-searching thoughts and topics about religion, but they do not come across as a highly “religious” family in my opinion. I would define the Simpsons as “searching.” It seems that no matter what religion any member of the family attempts to join, there is still evidence of dissatisfaction, causing them to try to make another and another change in religious identification. Now, I do feel that the overall tone of the Simpsons, and Homer’s attitude toward religion depicts deep concern about more than just religion, but overall happiness in life and salvation. Without this concern and drive to explore and find the “right” religion, there would be no reason to highlight (and poke fun at) so many various religions. I think this quote that Homer says really highlights a theme and attitude toward religion found in the Simpsons.
"What if we picked the wrong religion? Every week, we're just making God madder and madder!" --Homer Simpson
In this regard, the Simpsons seem to represent a lot of mainstream feelings about more than religion, but overall life quality and progression. All people seem to have an overall concern for their welfare and for the welfare of their family. They want to know how to be most successful in life; today and maybe even after they die. This idea of searching for truth and a concern for salvation is depicted very well in the Simpsons.
I think that the Simpsons is so humorous because it does reflect people that we know in real life. Maybe the characters in the series are a bit more exaggerated than most people we know, but they’re familiar to us. Growing up, I can think of several neighbors that are like Ned. They may have been overzealous, but they did their best to live good Christian lives. Although the Simpsons pokes fun at “American attitudes and practices” I think that we need programs like that to bring up important issues that most wouldn’t simply because they’re afraid of offending. The Simpsons illustrate how important religion and a belief in God is to a society, if nothing else, to bring like-minded people together to create connections and friendships.
ReplyDeleteI think with Mormon Cap on or off, there is always a place for good satire. The fact that the Simpsons is a proudly equal-opportunity offender is also a strong plus. To boot, even when they are poking fun at religion, I don’t think they’ve ever gone negative with it. The show comes well short of making religion to be the bad guys, and the particular episode when Homer stays home from church ends with him both correcting his ways and improving his overall perspective with religion. I will admit, I have grown up with the Simpsons my whole life and I find it to be a cleverly funny show, though there were a couple of seasons with mediocre writing.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think the Simpsons would be such a long-standing show if the demographics disfavored their religious outlook. I hope that doesn’t mean a pronouncement that religion in this country is dead, but only that even among the religious there is a lot of room for secular thinking and a little self-deprecation. The religion episodes really do hone in on one element or another of concern towards religion that I think anyone could relate to, even if they don’t necessarily agree with the humor. Homer’s consideration of spirituality and worship without “spending half my Sunday hearing about all the ways I’m going to hell,” exactly confirms the current statistics of American worshippers who wish to have spirituality without all the organized religion and doom-and-gloom.
To go off of the springboard statement that spirituality can exist without organized religion, there may be an inverse statement in that going to church regularly does not necessarily insure religiosity. On the one hand, the fact that you see their characters praying regularly outside of church does demonstrate that they live some of their belief outside of the normal Sunday hours. On the other hand, their attitudes during church and the rest of their outlook would suggest that their religious involvement is not necessarily genuine. In the episode where Homer skips church, we start to see that the family is as much bothered by the judgements of their congregation as they are in the actual spiritual cost of Homer’s protest, and this would suggest that their religion is more cultural than it is spiritual. I think this religious attitude is not uncommon throughout the country. Church is the center of your average small community, and it’s where people go to see their friends and socialize as much as anything, so in that regard there is certainly an argument that could be made that some of America’s religious attitudes come from cultural tradition rather than what’s really going on in their hearts and minds. The Simpsons do show an effort at living their faith (through prayer) but I think it’s their interest in meeting social expectations, combined with a general effort to try and live a decent life that would define their overall religious outlook.
Every night when I was little I would watch the 5 o'clock news with my dad. About half way through the news broadcast, my hard working ranching father would fall asleep. I would finish watching the broadcast by his sleepy side and then continue to watch the show that came on right after the 5 o'clock news which was, the Simpsons. I would watch it until my dad would wake up and change the channel or when my mother would come into the room disgusted at my dad for letting me watch such a "trashy, crude show." My dad would explain that it was an accident and he just fell asleep. My mother, being satisfied with that answer, would then tell me how I was not allowed to watch that show and that it was not good for my little ears. I would listen to what she said until the next night when my dad would fall asleep half way through the 5 o'clock news broadcast. The point of me telling you this is that I never thought the Simpsons would ever have any kind of religious values or meaning to some of their episodes. I don't remember anything of the Simpsons from when I was little. I just know that I know nothing about it so this blog post is interesting for me.
ReplyDeleteAs I read through the article on the Simpsons, I thought it was interesting that they related the religious episodes to many different religions. It wasn't just one religion that they would talk about, they mentioned episodes relating to Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Catholicism, etc. I feel like the Simpsons are mocking these religions but, at the same time, I think many people explore religions trying to figure out what one is right for them. I mean, that is what Joseph Smith did. I think the Simpsons have an accurate representation of how real people feel. It takes time to find the religion that you really believe in. I mean, Homer Simpson said it himself, "What if we picked the wrong religion? Every week, we're just making God madder and madder!"
I also don't feel that the Simpsons are mocking these different religions. The episode, "like father like clown" said that three rabbis specifically helped write the episode. I would assume to make it very accurate. But also, if three rabbis helped write a comedy cartoon show with little creepy yellow people telling about their religion, how offensive could it really have been? I think people get offended way to easily these days. Even though things are said that probably shouldn't be said, I think we all need to learn to brush it off and move on. I'm not saying that the Simpson's made anyone feel this way but, there is always someone that will complain because in our society, you can't please everyone.
From my observation, it doesn't seem that The Simpsons is any more irreverent towards religion than anything else. Sure, Homer has said some distasteful and blasphemous things on the subject of religion -- but it is that way with everything else, and there always seems to be some sort of resolution on the subject of God.
ReplyDeleteThe Simpsons see Religion as man-made and God as universal. A classic "Simpsons" line from Homer is "I may not know that much about God, but I have to say we built an awfully nice cage for him." I feel like this quote encompasses the overall sentiment that the series has towards God and religion. It points out funny corks and restrictions that religions have while still acknowledging the existence of God and his importance.
I would have to agree with William Romanowski of Calvin College when he said that "The Simpsons is not dismissive of faith, but treats religion as an integral part of American life."
Religion has been an integral part of this television series -- depicting every type of person attending a church. Flanders, the kind Evangelical neighbor, and the Simpson's, a rather dysfunctional family, both attend church together. This communicates to me that religion is a part of virtually everyone's life, regardless of your life situation.
It is interesting to note that The Simpsons goes deeper than just addressing generic religion but goes into specifics like Catholicism, Judaism and even Buddhism and Hinduism. Within the satyr of each faith, The Simpsons seem to take an inclusive approach -- mocking all equally but also addressing positive points to each. For example, Marge, debatably the most levelheaded character on the show, is depicted as the most religious of the family. I don't think there is as much shaming of religion in the Simpsons as people may think. With religion being addressed in 70% of their shows -- it may be that the Simpsons and the most religious family on TV!
Even in a Mormon household I grew up watching the Simpsons, but I have never found it obscenely offensive in the way it approaches religion. I feel that the Simpsons accurately portrays much of what religion, as far as Christianity is concerned, in America is practiced. I had the experience of traveling a lot growing up and also of growing up in Utah and then moving to Texas when I was 12, and what this showed me, was vastly different Christian cultures. I feel that the Mormon culture differs from that of any other Christian culture. Now living in Texas, I was in the Bible belt, so it was still a very religious community. However, there are many, especially among the 20somethings age group, that name themselves as some sect of Christianity, but are not exactly the most religious; i.e. attending church regularly, following all those good Christian commandments completely. I think for many, religion is a cultural thing, something that they have been doing their whole lives, it’s something that many feel comfortable in, but isn’t always something that dominates their every thought. So explaining this more, in Mormonism, we generally take our religious practices very seriously, constantly striving to live the commandments. However, I feel that much of America, will claim a religion as theirs, but will not put a constant effort in their progression of that faith. Although, much like in the Simpsons, during times of crisis or hard times, they often turn to religion. This is a common trend that has been documented and studied, when times of despair or disaster occur, religious attendance tends to increase. I think that Simpsons is aware of this trend and pokes fun at this and that classic Christian fear of God. Having many non-member friends I’ve observed this kind of lackadaisical approach to religion. They feel that simply attending church is good enough, that that is all it requires of themselves to be part of that faith. Now I’m not saying that these are bad or immoral people, but simply I feel that this is how many were raised. They call themselves Christian, but many don’t go to the “extremes” that we Mormons do. I think that the Simpsons is very aware of this dynamic in America, the highly religious, whose faith is apparent in their every action, vs. the average Christians, those who are Christian, but don’t try so very hard to be that perfect Christian. The Simpsons, to me, is a characterization of the masses who hold to the faith of their fathers, but recognize themselves as imperfect and mistake prone humans that we all are, but rather than trying to fight that natural man, they just let it be. I would say that the Simpsons are really no more religious than other T.V. show families, just that much of the show is a satirical comment on religion in America.
ReplyDeleteI know I am late (again! I am sorry. This 5:00 the day before keeps getting me, but from now on I'll remember!)
ReplyDeleteIn response to the article from the Los Angeles Times, I agree that the Simpsons makes fun of Americans and their habit much more than making fun of any certain religion (though it sounds like almost every religion has found itself at the end of a joke on the show). I think it is effective in taking a typical family, finding the humor in everything they do, and using religion as an integral part of that, because America is (or at least was) a predominantly Christian nation, but that religion was and is often times the source of hypocrisy from Americans. We proclaim Christian values, but live in a "dog eat dog world" and would do anything to sit at the top and be able to lead out our lazy, indulgent lives.
Ned Flanders is the typical, what-we-should-look-like religious man. Good things happen to him, and he does good things to others. While he is often portrayed as annoying, he is still one of the more moral characters, and he is "blessed" because of it, so I agree with the quote that is in an effective exponent of a Christian life well-lived. Unfortunately, I don't think the media made him a character that you necessarily looked up to, or wanted to emulate, but that doesn't stop him from being a good example, were you to focus on his virtues. But since the point of the show was to highlight and poke fun at typical American lifestyle, his virtues never really take center stage, but ride in the back only to appear when there is humor to be created out of his "goodness."
Unlike most LDS families, I grew up watching the Simpsons. I can remember countless times coming home from school with it on. At the time, I was pretty young and didn't fully understand some of the adult humor. I actually could recall some of the episodes listed in the article and now looking back realized that they didn't have much of a negative impact on me. At that age, I didn't know much about other religions and I was able to grasp a small view of what each of them entailed. Looking over the articles, I agree with the "The Simpsons have Soul" point. The Simpsons aren't dismissive towards religion but actually embrace how integrated it is in American culture. Of course its a cartoon show that is meant to make the audience laugh but I do agree that it isn't so much about making fun of the religion than about the attitudes and ideals of the average American.
ReplyDeleteThe show incorporates several different religions rather than just one. Most television shows that I can think of only have one specific faith that they focus on. As a kid I remember multiple episodes where the Simpsons go to church. It didn't even faze me until this assignment. They incorporate a lot of satire and one in particular is how Ned Flanders tries to shield his kids from the evils of the world. It is so drastic to the case that they have satellite TV but nearly all 230 channels are blocked out. This was highly relatable in that most LDS kids weren't even allowed to watch the Simpsons. Compared to my other LDS friends, how I grew up was a lot different. For example, my best friend was 18 and still wasn't allowed to watch a PG-13 movie without her parents permission. The Simpsons is able to incorporate these small similarities that make the show engaging and relatable. The Simpsons are kind of a mix of what they believe but like the quote by Homer when he said that he wanted to worship God they way he thought was right, I think they incorporate a lot of different aspects of religion.
ReplyDelete“…Hypocrisy will be mocked at all times,” said one of the main writers, referring to criticism of certain groups being attacked or Homed (pun intended) in on.
Basically, hypocricy and human foibles are in every thing and every one. This is what humor is based on- bringing to light in a simple and fun way, the human experience- the fallen experience. Hence, there are, even in religion, some mistakes that happen that can be laughed at. We can laugh at them, because we all experience them. So yes, responding to the last question before the prompt- symbols, literature, art, story telling, music, film, etc. often is the best, if not the only means to portray a deeper issue or message. Mormon hat: temples, for example.
“In the world of the Simpsons, God is omnipotent, capricious and responsive. After Homer and another man compete as snowplowers, then form a common enterprise, Homer is moved to proclaim,‘When two best friends work together, not even God can stop them.’ From the heavens a voice is heard, ‘Oh, no?’ and rays of sunlight rapidly melt all the snow.”
To me, this is quite funny. It’s funny because its relatable. Every time I get prideful or think its all because of me, God reminds me whos in charge. I think most people in this world can relate to this cycle- whether they call it God, Karma, or just life.
I think at one time or another, everyone thinks about God or recognizes some sort of reality or hope that He is there. whether your thinking God is bad, or God is good, youre still thinking about God. "While it may not completely resonate with the evangelical Judeo-Christian belief system, The Simpsons does portray a family searching for moral and theological ideals," wrote Beth Keller. Most tv shows take him out. In this regard, I think Simpsons is much more identifiable with human nature.
Although I have only watched one or two episodes of the Simpsons, I saw them on everything and everywhere while in Argentina on my mission. Perhaps because of their self proclaimed religiosity, mixed with a desire to just do what they want and church is more of a tradition, these South Americans can identify with the Simpsons. It’s EVERYWHERE down there. The Simpsons would not have been successful as it’s been, if people couldn’t relate to it’s story and humor.
In reality, the Simpsons seems to reflect culture and the human experience and fallen nature very well. i.e. ‘I’m not a bad guy. I work hard and I love my kids. So why should I spend half my Sunday hearing about how I’m going to hell?’ Homer later concludes, ‘So I figure I should try to live right and worship you in my own way.’ According to Romanowski, scenes like this aptly capture American individualism.” Religion in some way or another isn’t just something off to the side, but a part of most American’s lives.
I, in no way, condone the crude or truly demeaning scenes or words in the Simpsons, or in any media for that matter. However, I do believe there is a lot of good that can come, simply by referencing deity, in a way that is at all thought provoking- consciously or not. Consider the Mt. Dew commercial of the baby puppy monkey. Freaking weird. But look at the results. It got people to think about Mt. Dew, and eventually to seek it out. Although it comes down to the chicken and the egg idea, whether media shapes society, or media responds to society (or both), perhaps the mere mention of God/religion in media both reflects the current thinking and way of life, while at the same time helping to form it.
Having just watched a couple of the Simpson's episodes to try and understand what they are all about, I concluded that the do what Romanowski said, and that is, they treat religion as an integral part of American life. Their religious beliefs are not obviously stated, but the principles are inserted into their lives. I was not allowed to watch the Simpson's because there are parts of the show are that just not necessary to the story and in most cases just inappropriate. However, I think they do a good – but overdramatized – job at portraying the everyday stuggles that we as human beings go through but aren't willing to admit or vocalize.
ReplyDeleteThe show has all of the issues people go through put into one exaggerated story; but that is what makes the show comical and fun to watch. As far as religion goes, they are probably are a pretty good representation of what most people are like. Religion is something that people follow because of culture or because of the positive outcomes they receive. Either way, the majority of people are probably living their religion casually with the occasional spiritual high.
The episodes I watched of Simpson's were quite meaningful actually – once you look past all the swearing and innuendos. They remarked on how important family is and how much true friends can mean. They probably are the most religious family on TV because they practice religion on Sunday and also make reference to its principles during their daily routines.
So I've actually never seen a single episode of the Simpson's, so it's hard to have a really educated opinion on this subject. But I'll try my best from what I've read on the show. My favorite thing that I read was this quote: "It's all Christianity, people. The little, stupid differences are nothing next to the big, stupid similarities." I LOVE THAT! I know it was meant to be humorous, but it really is so true. People today are often so immersed in judging our differences rather than celebrating our similarities.
ReplyDeleteI think the Simpsons have created an outlet where they can state their thoughts and beliefs about a lot of the things going on in our world, through humor. And because it is humorous, it can go without serious consequences. The show also says these things in a religious way that isn't thought to be uptight or prudish, like a lot of religious people are seen to be.
It fights the stereotype of your 'typical' religious family in the media or on television.
The show probably reaches an audience that typically wouldn't be able to be reached by other programs with the SAME underlying messages and themes of the Simpsons, because of the way they choose to relay those messages. I know that the show swears and has some not-so-good bits and pieces in it, but it also teaches good values and morals to their audience.
For some, the Simpsons probably shows the more realistic and imperfect side of a religious lifestyle. Not everyone is perfect and everyone messes up. The Simpsons are a regular family with regular day to day struggles and issues, but they still have religious morals. It gives the impression that religious people can be normal people too.
A few years ago my mom gave me her confession. She told me that she used to watch The Simpsons religiously. Then when she was pregnant with me she decided she might have to retire her guilty pleasure because it wasn’t very family friendly. Then when my little brother was 16 they bonded and would watch an episode of The Simpsons everyday together.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Simpsons reflect how religion is seen by unreligious people. Or those who are looking for a way out of religion. I have seen how the Simpsons magnify the corruption and mistakes of religious leaders. Really they magnify the mistakes of human nature. I feel like a lot of people.
There have been times where I find myself praying or reading scriptures and I think, “why am I doing this?”, “I feel crazy” or “what’s the point”. But I keep doing these things because in my heart I know what Is true. I know that my religious actions will bring me happiness and blessings. I don’t think I'm alone in this way of thinking either. It can be very easy to see the darkness in life and submit to it. So when people watch the Simpsons they can relate. There are some episodes where the religious leader is right and there really is a miracle and people believe. I think that’s how many Americans see religion. They like to make fun and believe their secular views are correct but deep down they know that there’s something more.
Real quick- I honestly thought it was 5 PM the day of- but I will correct my mistakes from now on.
ReplyDeleteI did watch the Simpsons growing up. I didn't watch a ton, but I do remember enjoying their religious satire. I personally feel that the way the Simpsons portray religion is positive. I believe that one of the pitfalls of modern religion is we tend to take things too seriously. Of course sacred things should be reverenced, but religion is a very human thing. The purpose of religion is to help imperfect humans progress. If we take ourselves too seriously, religious people can be perceived as stoic puritans incapable of enjoying themselves.
I feel that the Simpsons very effectively injects the human element into modern family life in a surprisingly realistic way. Usually if people become offended by satire it's because there is a lot of truth in what is being portrayed. With my mormon hat on and off, I feel like I can relate to the Simpsons portrayal of religion, and it causes me to celebrate the human search for God.