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The Gospel According to The Simpsons:  The Spiritual Life of the World's Most Animated Family
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The Gospel According to The Simpsons: The Spiritual Life of the World's Most Animated Family
Author: Mark I. Pinsky

Book Information
Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:
5

ISBN-13: 9780664224196 - ISBN-10: 0664224199
Publication Date: 8/20/2001
Pages: 164

Book Description:
The Simpsons is one of the longest running, funniest, most irreverent, and, according to some religious leaders, the most theologically relevant show on television today. Journalist Mark Pinsky explores the religious and spiritual aspects of Bart, Homer, and the rest of cartoon’s first family––a show strongly denounced by many conservative Christians back in 1989, but now viewed favorably by fans from all across the theological spectrum.

Pinsky looks at the use of God, Jesus, heaven and hell, the Bible, prayer in the Simpson household, the evangelistic next-door neighbor Ned Flanders, and the town’s church and pastor, Rev. Lovejoy. He also discusses whether the character of Lisa is the voice of Jesus, and explores the many moral dilemmas that the characters, in particular Bart and Homer, face. Pinsky concludes with a discussion that suggests that, on the whole, The Simpsons is supportive and not subversive of faith. This is must reading for any Simpsons’ fan, and an insightful exploration of how religion and faith influences popular culture.


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The Gospel According to Disney: Faith, Trust, and Pixie DustThe Gospel According to Harry Potter: Spirituality in the Stories of the World's Most Famous SeekerThe Simpsons and Philosophy: The D'oh! of Homer


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Top Member Book Reviews

Matt B. (BuffaloSavage) wrote on 12/12/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

The book examines religion as it is manifested by the characters in the long-running sitcom. The target audience is religious people who aren't sure if they should let their children watch the show or not. The thesis is the show presents religion in a more positive and sophisticated light, as having a more involved role in daily life of the characters, than people of faith may expect from network TV, where religion is almost wholly absent. The descriptions of the episodes may seem lackluster to the initiates and rather like spoilers to the novices. The most instructive parts of the book are his examinations of how the show treats Judaism, Catholicism, and Hinduism and interviews with the writers, whose knowledge of religion is shallow. This plainly written book is good for people (like me) whose brains easily start to smart during discussions of topics like religion, ethics, and aesthetics but who also feel an average person should think about these tough subjects now and then, smarting grey cells or not.

Christopher L. wrote on 4/30/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

This is not only an entertaining read but also has very substantial truth packed into it's silly premise.


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