The Simpsons

[Azriel]

But you know ... Good always triumphs on the Simpons. The family always pulls it together.

[1337 k4th0l1x0r]

[quote name='Raphael' date='Sep 30 2004, 01:39 AM'] 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. [/quote]
No no no! She died while coming back from the concession stand where she was getting some hot dogs. It was a T-shirt from a T-shirt gun that hit her. Homer bent down and it struck her, knocking her off the edge of the bleachers and she fell.

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='1337 k4th0l1x0r' date='Sep 30 2004, 12:36 PM'] No no no! She died while coming back from the concession stand where she was getting some hot dogs. It was a T-shirt from a T-shirt gun that hit her. Homer bent down and it struck her, knocking her off the edge of the bleachers and she fell. [/quote]
that's so tragic... was there a lawsuit?

[Theologian in Training]

I think we need to put some things in perspective. The Simpsons is an adult animated series and happened to always be that way. The values have indeed changed in later episodes most likely due to a change of writers and the fact that Conan O Brien left. However, something to keep in mind is that The Simpsons have been around so long that we have been able to watch this progression, which is merely the networks way of keeping up with the same garbage that other networks air as well. In some respects, The Simpsons are actually a little more tame than some of the other shows out there. Now, granted this does not make it right, however, it is something to note.

Also, given the fact that The Simpsons have had such a tremendous staying power, they have been embedded within the very fabric of society. In fact, the word "Doh" is now recognized as a normal word in the English language. Keeping this in mind there are a myriad of people who still watch this show, and, as picchick noted, even her children in class will recall a line from the Simpsons while learning about something else.

All this means is that The Simpsons are merely following the progression of others shows that need help in keeping their ratings alive. It happens in the movies and it happens in music as well. They become more politically (in)correct to accomodate the larger population and extend their fan base. Does make it right? Of course not, but it is merely something that happens.

All of that being said, The Simpsons are a satire and no one is safe in a satire, not even the main characters. The Simpsons merely bring this point to the fore by attacking everyone and everything regardless of their sex, age, or belief. Again, this does not make it right, but rather shows what The Simpsons do.

Now, I have created two threads devoted to quotes from The Simpsons. I admit, I like the show, but do not really care for the later episodes, they have lost something, their values, to be sure, but even their comedic import. Granted, they have a few here and there, but a lot of it is tired and cliched. It usually happens when they run out of material and go for the cheap laugh. However, I also find, as someone studying to be a priest, that it helps in relating to the age groups that it primarily targets, which seems to be of those in the grammar to high school years. The Church Fathers did the same thing, they took pagan philosophers and used them as a means of relating the Christian message to a pagan audience. The same is true, in my opinion, with The Simpsons. In fact, I wrote a paper for my ethics class about morality in The Simpsons. If you think I am nuts, I will give you an example of what I mean. When I was a substitute teacher for a Catholic school one day I had to teach fourth grade. We got to the section on religion and I said that we would be learning about the Creed. Now, one girl perked up and said "Creed?" She thought we were going to be talking about the band. The children know more about the culture than their religion. However, imho if we cannot relate to them then how can we convey the message to them? If we take what they hold close to them and use it as an example they may come to find relevance and understanding in that.

All in all, It is good to know what the next generations are doing, provided it does not put you in a near occasion of sin or sin at all ie: watching something that you should not watch but they have.


I apologize for the length.

My .02

God Bless

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='1337 k4th0l1x0r' date='Sep 30 2004, 01:36 PM'] No no no! She died while coming back from the concession stand where she was getting some hot dogs. It was a T-shirt from a T-shirt gun that hit her. Homer bent down and it struck her, knocking her off the edge of the bleachers and she fell. [/quote]
You beat me at the Simpsons...I've been slain!

[Lil Red]

[url="http://www.snpp.com/other/papers/jsh.paper.html"]http://www.snpp.com/other/papers/jsh.paper.html[/url]

[quote]Although these are some examples of why Christians might take offense to The Simpsons, there are many reasons for Christians and people of other religions to embrace the show. The most important reason to recognize is that "God is not mocked" (Pinsky, par. 9). Although religion and piety may be, God himself is never the target of criticism. The creator of the show, Matt Groening, comments that when "we show Him, God has five fingers -- unlike the Simpsons, who only have four" (qtd. in Pinsky, par. 6). God is whom the Simpsons turn to in times of trouble, usually in the form of prayer.

This is another reason many Christians appreciate the show, because God "answers [the Simpsons] prayers and intervenes in their world" (Pinsky, par. 9). Bowler believes "the reason that characters on The Simpsons have such frequent recourse to prayer is that God, the Devil, Heaven, Hell and angels are all treated as having objective reality" (par. 11). This makes it impossible for the Simpsons to avoid God in their world, meaning that everything they do will have consequences. While they don't always choose good over evil, the real presence of God might explain why they most often side with good.

Another positive aspect of The Simpsons is it doesn't "engage in the pretentious misrepresentation of family life that one finds in the 'model family' shows (from 'The Donna Reed Show' to 'The Cosby Show')" (Rebeck, 622). The show focuses on real life problems and acknowledges that families and parents aren't perfect. By doing this, it helps people admit that they don't have all the answers, and help them look elsewhere for them (to God, for example). The show also provides catharsis for viewers. Rebeck explains, "by laughing with Bart we take vicarious revenge on adult authority figures who emotionally abused us when we were children" (622). This gives people an outlet for their mischievous feelings, rather than having them act upon them in the real world.[/quote]

[Azriel]

You go girl!

[MrsFrozen]

Hi, Lil.. Thanks for posting that quote. I can see it from that point of view, but I just feel disturbed when I see religion and piety mocked. My problem is not that The Simpsons don't seem to have many values and such, because I realize it's a fiction show--a cartoon, for crying out loud. I mean, I do have a sense of humor. I just wonder WHY religion and piety have to be mocked? Matt Groening's not a Christian, I know, so he doesn't have the same values as we do, and that's his choice. But playing guitar on a cross? Calling the Body and Blood "Communion wafers and booze?" I just feel a little disrespected there! Seems like they just threw those things in there for shock value--what's the point?

(Also, I beg to differ that the show focuses on real-life problems! )

[carrdero]

[quote]MrsFrozen writes: Calling the Body and Blood "Communion wafers and booze?" I just feel a little disrespected there! Seems like they just threw those things in there for shock value--what's the point?[/quote]

If anyone should feel disrespected I think it should BE GOD and/or Jesus but since the Simpsons have been renewed for another season I do not think that GOD/Jesus “feel” that disrespected or offended at all. As for the point of why they would throw the "Communion wafers and booze?" remark in there, maybe the producers and the creators of the Simpson’s possibly believe that there isn’t much worth or value in the ritualistic tradition of handing out Communion wafers and wine in the name of Christ’s body and blood. And from your comment that you feel “disturbed” when you see religion displayed like this makes me wonder if this is a possibility that you may not wanted to be reminded of. You may CORRECT me if I am mistaken.

[Lil Red]

[quote name='MrsFrozen' date='Oct 1 2004, 09:06 AM'] Hi, Lil.. Thanks for posting that quote. I can see it from that point of view, but I just feel disturbed when I see religion and piety mocked. My problem is not that The Simpsons don't seem to have many values and such, because I realize it's a fiction show--a cartoon, for crying out loud. I mean, I do have a sense of humor. I just wonder WHY religion and piety have to be mocked? Matt Groening's not a Christian, I know, so he doesn't have the same values as we do, and that's his choice. But playing guitar on a cross? Calling the Body and Blood "Communion wafers and booze?" I just feel a little disrespected there! Seems like they just threw those things in there for shock value--what's the point?

(Also, I beg to differ that the show focuses on real-life problems! ) [/quote]
all i have to say, is that if we can't laugh at ourselves, we are taking ourselves WAAAYYYY too seriously.

[MrsFrozen]

[quote name='carrdero' date='Oct 2 2004, 01:11 PM']
If anyone should feel disrespected I think it should BE GOD and/or Jesus but since the Simpsons have been renewed for another season I do not think that GOD/Jesus “feel” that disrespected or offended at all. As for the point of why they would throw the "Communion wafers and booze?" remark in there, maybe the producers and the creators of the Simpson’s possibly believe that there isn’t much worth or value in the ritualistic tradition of handing out Communion wafers and wine in the name of Christ’s body and blood. And from your comment that you feel “disturbed” when you see religion displayed like this makes me wonder if this is a possibility that you may not wanted to be reminded of. You may CORRECT me if I am mistaken. [/quote]
Uhhh.. What are you TALKING about?!

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='MrsFrozen' date='Oct 2 2004, 10:39 PM'] Uhhh.. What are you TALKING about?! [/quote]
I think his line of argumentation is that since The Simpsons have been renewed for another season that means that God is not offended by them. I don't agree with this logic, but that seems to be what he is saying.

God Bless

[frozencell]

Hehehe... By that reasonong, God isn't anything like what I thought He was! But me and MrsFrozen asked our priest about this and his answer wa that it's not right based really on that fact that it glorifies meteocrity(?)... I tend to agree. Homer is a lazy bum and somehow seems to be everyone's hero.