The Simpsons and Religion

A fairly dated post but one that caught some new light recently and worth the share.

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Over the years, The Simpsons has become known for its sharp-edged satire. But, as Kim Lawton reports, there’s also a surprising focus on spirituality.

They’re silly, often irreverent, and sometimes downright wicked. But The Simpsons also may be one of the most interesting examinations of religion in pop culture today.

Bart’s sister Lisa has been through her own spiritual explorations. For most of the show’s run, she was the voice of mainline Protestantism, the Social Gospel, a skeptical believer but a believer. And finally, when her church became sort of too seeker sensitive, too commercial, she went on a faith journey, and she ended up being a Buddhist, with the help, of course, of the actor Richard Gere.