The Gospel According To The Simpsons

Examines the treatment of religion and spirituality in the animated television series, including its depiction of God, Jesus, heaven, hell, and prayer in chapters devoted to Homer, Lisa, Ned, Reverend Lovejoy, Krusty, and Apu.

In this entertaining and enlightening book, religion reporter Pinsky shows how "The Simpsons" engages issues of religion and morality in a thoughtful, provocative, and genuinely respectful way. (Practical Life)

Introducing a complete revision of the study guide to the best-selling bookThe Gospel according toThe Simpsons, complete with new studies on episodes ofThe Simpsonsas well as studies for discussing other popular animated comedies such asFamily Guy,King of the Hill, andFuturama. This new edition features a session plan for a "green retreat" based onThe Simpsonsfeature film and the environmental filmAn Inconvenient Truth, as well as a listing of DVD availability for each episode with cross-references to the relevant chapters in the book.

In this follow-up to his bestselling The Gospel According to The Simpsons: The Spiritual Life of the World's Most Animated Family, religion journalist Mark Pinsky explores the role that the animated features of Walt Disney played on the moral and spiritual development of generations of children. Pinsky explores thirty-one of the most popular Disney films, as well as recent developments such as the 1990s boycott of Disney by the Southern Baptist Convention and the role that Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg played in the resurgance of the company since the mid-1980s.

Contrary to those who reject the Harry Potter books as a threat to Christian faith, Neal demonstrates how the lessons in these books reinforce the central messages of the Bible.

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.