Thy Geekdom Come Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 [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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsFrozen Posted September 30, 2004 Author Share Posted September 30, 2004 [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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsFrozen Posted September 30, 2004 Author Share Posted September 30, 2004 [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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsFrozen Posted September 30, 2004 Author Share Posted September 30, 2004 [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: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsFrozen Posted September 30, 2004 Author Share Posted September 30, 2004 [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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azriel Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 But you know ... Good always triumphs on the Simpons. The family always pulls it together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1337 k4th0l1x0r Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 [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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 [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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theologian in Training Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thy Geekdom Come Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 [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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 [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] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azriel Posted October 1, 2004 Share Posted October 1, 2004 You go girl! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsFrozen Posted October 1, 2004 Author Share Posted October 1, 2004 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! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carrdero Posted October 2, 2004 Share Posted October 2, 2004 [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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted October 2, 2004 Share Posted October 2, 2004 [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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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