The Simpsons

[MrsFrozen]

I want to ask everyone's opinion on something. The Simpsons used to be my favorite show and I could practically quote entire episodes. I had tapes upon tapes full of episodes. Occasionally, I would catch a somewhat unChristian comment or two, but I would just sort of let it slide. Then I saw an episode where Homer was playing guitar with a cross, naked in a Church. This was very insulting to me and I felt like I couldn't watch it anymore. Has anyone else had a similar experience with the Simpsons? They just seem to make fun of Christianity a lot. What do you think?

[homeschoolmom]

i think they make fun of all religions.

Even though Ned is made fun of by Homer and Bart, he always stays the course. He always tries to do the right thing... and that's good.

[White Knight]

Well if you notice, in the older episodes i'm talking like the first few years, they weren't that much on Christian Bashing , but now, its like, worse.

You notice they take Church more seriously in the older episodes, and in the newer ones they seem to make fun of it, and do more harmful things to it, thats what Ive noticed, watching it through the years.

Edited September 29, 2004 by White Knight

[DominaNostra]

I haven't watched the Simpsons recently, but from what I remember they made fun of Fundamentalists, not Christians (read: Catholics). In any event, at least some of the criticisms were directed specifically at Fundamentalist beliefs but some were certainly anti-Christian in general. I have not seen any recent episodes, so it might be worse.

[Scofizzle]

well the simpsons make fun of any and everything. Is it ok that they offend anyone and everyone equally?

[DominaNostra]

No, it is not okay because the Church is not equal to everyone. Hinduism is false. Catholicism is true. To make fun of the Church is a blasphemy. To make fun of Hinduism is truth (depending what is being made fun of). We cannot fall into a subjectivism by which we judge actions based on what the people themselves believe. It is irrelevant that the people who make the Simpsons think Catholicism and Hinduism are equal. They are not, and we cannot excuse their actions because of their personal beliefs.

[White Knight]

They are, from what Ive seen/heard, and thats why I dont watch them anymore, I stoped watching the new ones about 4 years ago, now I just hear stuff about them, and maybe see a commerical or two on TV.

[Kaeldra]

[quote name='Scofizzle' date='Sep 29 2004, 03:12 PM'] well the simpsons make fun of any and everything. Is it ok that they offend anyone and everyone equally? [/quote]
I think so...I mean....they're not seriously making fun of stuff....its just..everything. I love simpsons

[homeschoolmom]

I always thought it was interesting how they can never quite keep Ned's beliefs straight. For example, he's portrayed at a Fundie, but at one point, he is saved from a mob bullet (I believe) by his wearing a piece of the true cross. I have never known a Fundie to ever, ever have anything like that. And he also got excited once by an oil stain that was shaped like a saint (I think, I really can't remember)... not a real Fundie behavior...

BTW, I know Maude's dead and has been for some time, but since I really don't watch the show anymore (kids and all around the house, you know) what happened to her?

[toledo_jesus]

Maude died when a shoddily constructed bleacher collapsed. Ned took it pretty hard.

Oh, and I love the episode where the Reverend Lovejoy rescues them from the cult guy...the Leader. That was hilarious.

Edited September 29, 2004 by toledo_jesus

[carrdero]

[quote]Mrs. Frozen writes: Then I saw an episode where Homer was playing guitar with a cross, naked in a Church. This was very insulting to me and I felt like I couldn't watch it anymore. Has anyone else had a similar experience with the Simpsons? They just seem to make fun of Christianity a lot. What do you think? [/quote]

I think it is a good thing that you are not a fan of Family Guy or South Park.

[carrdero]

[quote]Homeschool writes: i think they make fun of all religions.[/quote]

Yes I think most prime time animated series are equal opportunity offenders. No one is really safe.

[quote]Scofizzle writes: well the simpsons make fun of any and everything. Is it ok that they offend anyone and everyone equally? [/quote]

Even GOD isn’t safe from the Simpson’s humor. There were many episodes where they poke a great deal of fun at GOD. I believe GOD has a good sense of humor about these things though.

[quote]DominaNostra writes: No, it is not okay because the Church is not equal to everyone. Hinduism is false. Catholicism is true..[/quote]

?????????????????????????????

[quote]Homeschool writes: BTW, I know Maude's dead and has been for some time, but since I really don't watch the show anymore (kids and all around the house, you know) what happened to her?[/quote]

[quote]Toledo_Jesus writes: Maude died when a shoddily constructed bleacher collapsed. Ned took it pretty hard.[/quote]

A very morbid episode that one with plenty of black (dark) humor.

[picchick]

I have never really watched the Simpsons and do not have a big desire from it. But I can tell you this. It is very annoying to be teaching CCD and then having your 7th grade student interrupt the studies to quote some episode from the Simpsons that the lesson reminded him of.

Also, if we are going be defending our faith then why are we going to watch a show that is making fun of it. O.k., so they make fun of all religions. Does that make it right? Just because they make fun of everything does not make it right. I thought as Catholics/Christians we need to respect and be loving to our neighbors. How is making fun of everyone/everything loving and neighborly even if it is putting everything on equal terms?

[Dave]

On one episode of The Simpsons, the family is coming home from church, and Bart is hungry. He says, "Can we go Catholic so we can have Communion wafers and booze?" And Marge says, "No one is becoming Catholic. Three children are quite enough, thank you."

Edited September 30, 2004 by Dave

[carrdero]

[quote]Picchick writes: Also, if we are going be defending our faith then why are we going to watch a show that is making fun of it. O.k., so they make fun of all religions. Does that make it right?[/quote]

When people are writing comedy they are not really concerned about right or wrong they are concerned about whether it is going to be funny. You have to keep in mind with organized religion most of the material writes itself.

The great science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein once said:
“One man's religion is another man's belly laugh.”

And he was CORRECT. It is just when you hear it presented like that or in that context or coming out of that particular character, etc.- it elicits humor.

Take Dave’s example:
[quote]On one episode of The Simpsons, the family is coming home from church, and Bart is hungry. He says, "Can we go Catholic so we can have Communion wafers and booze?" And Marge says, "No one is becoming Catholic. Three children are quite enough, thank you."[/quote]
By the way Dave, “Classic”

As far as I K(NOW) these beliefs are still practiced. But to hear it from a child who is coming home from another denomination it is a bit surprising to hear it put in such a light as it was. It is unexpected. That is humor.

[quote]Picchick writes: I thought as Catholics/Christians we need to respect and be loving to our neighbors.[/quote]

Maybe the producers and the creators of the Simpsons aren’t practicing Catholics/Christians.

[quote]Picchick writes: How is making fun of everyone/everything loving and neighborly even if it is putting everything on equal terms?[/quote]

For one thing humor can bring enlightenment. Much of the UNDERSTANDING that I utilize today was brought to light through humor or someone doing something humorous. Humor is the best medicine for whatever ails you and when you do not have anyone around to make you laugh we should be able to laugh at ourselves.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' date='Sep 29 2004, 06:44 PM'] I always thought it was interesting how they can never quite keep Ned's beliefs straight. For example, he's portrayed at a Fundie, but at one point, he is saved from a mob bullet (I believe) by his wearing a piece of the true cross. I have never known a Fundie to ever, ever have anything like that. And he also got excited once by an oil stain that was shaped like a saint (I think, I really can't remember)... not a real Fundie behavior...

BTW, I know Maude's dead and has been for some time, but since I really don't watch the show anymore (kids and all around the house, you know) what happened to her? [/quote]
She was in the back row of the stadium at some athletic game and Homer attracted fire from the hot-dog gun and bent over when they shot at him and a barage of hot dogs hit Maude (standing up behind him) and knocked her over the edge, screaming to her death.

[MrsFrozen]

[quote name='White Knight' date='Sep 29 2004, 04:48 PM'] Well if you notice, in the older episodes i'm talking like the first few years, they weren't that much on Christian Bashing , but now, its like, worse.

You notice they take Church more seriously in the older episodes, and in the newer ones they seem to make fun of it, and do more harmful things to it, thats what Ive noticed, watching it through the years. [/quote]
I agree. The earlier episodes seemed to have God and Christianity in a positive light. Now they seem to be regarded in a negative light.

[MrsFrozen]

[quote name='DominaNostra' date='Sep 29 2004, 04:54 PM'] I haven't watched the Simpsons recently, but from what I remember they made fun of Fundamentalists, not Christians (read: Catholics). In any event, at least some of the criticisms were directed specifically at Fundamentalist beliefs but some were certainly anti-Christian in general. I have not seen any recent episodes, so it might be worse. [/quote]
Yes, I do somewhat see what you're saying. But to play the guitar with a cross? A symbol of Christ's greatest love for us? I think most of us can agree that that's wrong, and taking things a bit too far. But the question is, should the show not be watched altogether, or turned off when there's something offensive?

[MrsFrozen]

[quote name='carrdero' date='Sep 30 2004, 12:04 AM']
I think it is a good thing that you are not a fan of Family Guy or South Park. [/quote]
:Shudders at the thought:

[MrsFrozen]

[quote name='Dave' date='Sep 30 2004, 01:33 AM'] On one episode of The Simpsons, the family is coming home from church, and Bart is hungry. He says, "Can we go Catholic so we can have Communion wafers and booze?" And Marge says, "No one is becoming Catholic. Three children are quite enough, thank you." [/quote]
Hmm. Yes, stuff like that.