The Simpsons...good or bad??

[mandolin]

Again...I don't know what room this belongs in...so I'm starting it out in Theology 101. I guess it sorta has theology in it. Moderators...sorry if it doesn't belong in this room...please feel free to move it as necessary.

Ok...

It has been said by some that The Simpsons is a terrible show that corrupts people's minds.

I have also heard it called, "the greatest christian broadcasting to ever be on TV."

The Simpsons is basically all about satire. They satiraically mock everything!! And I mean everything!!

On one episode Homer scams PBS and is sent to be a missionary in some third world country...or in another episode, Maude Flanders (the bible-thumping churchy neighbor) says something like, "I just got back from bible camp...they taught me how to be more judgemental"

The show mocks everything from governments to religion, and honestly equally starizes every view known about any topic on earth.

So what do you folks say??

Is the Simpsons good or bad in the sense of christian ethics and morals??

I think its abundant use of satire is actually used to promote christian ethics...and therefore see the show as a great program for people to watch.

So long as you have asense of humor...and an ability to see the abundant use of satire...I think it becomes obvious that the show is actually a way to brainwash people into being better human citizens.

so anyways....

Simpsons...good or bad??

I say good.

In fact...it is starting right now...I have to go. :teeth:

[Cleombrotus]

mandolin, my friend,

Are you aware that there is more brain activity going on in your head when you are asleep than when you are watching TV?

and are you also aware that when watching TV the brain uses the exact same neural pathways every time? In other words, no new brain growth.

I doubt if anyone ever becomes a better person through watching TV and that includes such uplifting and heart warming screenplays like "It's A Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Carol". At best what one "learns" from watching TV is that the acquisition of information is relatively effortless, an error.

In my opinion, TV is, at best, a narcotic. Throw yours out and see what a difference it makes in your life and your awareness of life.

(source for the above assertions: Joseph Chilton Pearce, author of "Magical Child" )

[Spokoina]

lol how ironic.

I don't allow my kids to watch the Simpsons..(school aged)because I dont like the attitude that it teaches --cowabunga.

I do let my kids freely watch Harry Potter because it shows a good versus evil with the good making effort to overcome the evil and the magic is clearly imaginary.

I couldn't imagine my kids developing the 'simpsonese' in their teens for me to deal with.

hmm.

[Ric]

:doh:

[Piebald]

The Simpsons is good and bad, but I'd wager more good... as long as you don't take it too seriously.

It's hard to pinpoint a "favorite" episode because there are so many good ones, but I think the worst one is the "Lisa Becomes a Buddhist" episode... not because Lisa chose to convert to Buddhism but becausethe episode sounded like a tract for Buddhism (particularly Richard Gere's explanations of what Buddhism is... yaawn, thanks, but I have a library card)

A Great episode was when Homer discovered prayer and ended up suing the church and taking the church for his home.... Obviously God was not too pleased with this and sent a catastrophic flood to purge Springfield of it's sinners. Lisa explains away the "coincidence" of the flood waters rising but is unable to explain why the rain stopped when it did. "I dunno, Buddha?"

Meanwhile Ned is gathering two of every animal to pack into his boat -- but only males, he doesn't want any hanky panky.

[mandolin]

My goodness hamster...you're cracking me up over there. :smile:

Quit listing episodes...they are hilarious.

I think the one where lisa becomes buddhist is actually quite good. I especially love when homer freaks out when they talk about methodists. It is just so ironic...it cracks me up. (i'm greatly wesleyan in theology...and even I crack up when they mock methodists)

I also love the episode where the church is bought by Mr. Burns, and the entire church is covered in advertisement and cameras.

The show preaches good morals through the use of situational irony and comical satire. For example, on a statue of a church-goer one reads "here lies maude flanders...she taught us the joy of shame and the shame of joy." It blatantly mocks christians in an attempt (in my opinion) to get them to stop being retarded legalists. Or when homer fasts from beer and realizes that baseball is extremely boring...it's not preaching that we should drink beer, it's preaching the exact opposite.

There is also a great episode in which the reverend makes the congregation sit in the heat while he reads from the bible and everyone has biblical dreams in which they play the role of the main character. In the end, as the flanders are raptured up as is lisa, Homer pulls her back down, and the family is lured into the pit of hell because it smells like a barbecue, and homer is hungry.

OK... I have to stop...Dang it muzicman...look what you started.

In conclusion...I think that the simpsons (for the most part) is a great show for christians (especially teenagers) to watch. If you don't understand satire..or don't enjoy comedic irony...then you should steer clear from this show.

At first glance, it preaches the "cowabunga", "don't have a cow", strangle your son in fits of rage, drink at a bar with your only friends mentality....but as you understand the plot of the show, and laugh at the ridiculously funny humour, it preaches the best morals on TV.

It is a great show! but it should be avoided by people who find it offensive.

Also...there is this episode when homer becomes a missionary and keeps calling Jesus Jebus...because he's so moronic. I honestly died laughing when I first watched it. SAVE ME JEBUS!! :rofl: Oh man..that one cracks me up.

Sorry...I'm stopping now

[mandolin]

The Simpsons (in my opinion) is the best christian propoganda out there...in a really good way.

But don't just take my word for it...read about this book
The Gospel According to the Simpsons (http://www.religionreference.com/The_Gospel_According_to_The_Simpsons__The_Spiritual_Life_of_the_Worlds_Most_Animated_Family_0664224199.html)