Believers and non-believers... how does watching that show and seeing how they choose to live their life according to religion make you feel. Do you feel empathy with them? Do you laugh at them as being rediculous? I'm curious what both sides feel about this.
2006-09-22 09:34:15 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They are a good parody of beleivers.
2006-09-22 09:36:08 · answer #1 · answered by nondescript 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I haven't watched the Simpsons in ages (I can't believe they're still making new episodes!) but I liked the Flanders characters. Maude and the two sons were not the most flattering depictions of Christian fundamentalists, but could be funny. But Ned was (is?) one of the most genuinely good characters on the show. He can be annoying and naive, but at the end of the day he practices what he preaches and does the right thing.
For example, Homer was trapped in the burning house (because he blew off church that Sunday morning) but Ned still jumped in and rescued him. There was also the episode where everyone in Springfield thought an asteroid would wipe out the town. Ned had a shelter in his backyard - and although it was small he let everyone in Springfield use it. Then they all started getting nasty and fighting about who should leave (thus dying) because there wasn't enough room. Ned voluteered to leave, even though it was his shelter and the other people were being selfish jerks. He was ready to give his life for everyone else in the town. Of course the comet broke up because Springfield's air was so polluted, so it was a happy ending after all.
It's popular for the media to depict conservative Christians as hypocrites or freaks, but Ned Flanders isn't depicted this way at all. I don't understand why many Christians think The Simpsons is an anti-Christian show. I think Ned Flanders is one of the most positive depictions of a Christian on TV.
2006-09-22 17:11:53 · answer #2 · answered by Sass B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are comedic characters who live their lives fully according to their religious beliefs. This is what makes them funny. So, if I were religious, which I'm not, I would probably take slight offense to this. HOWEVER, in almost every situation, their beliefs get them out of trouble, while the Simpson family is usually ignored. So thier blind faith is suppose to be funny/laughable, however, the writers almost justiy it by giving the Flanders so much good grace.
2006-09-22 16:38:17 · answer #3 · answered by Existence 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Me being an atheist actually have a friend like Ned Flanders. You got to love him for his innocence and upbeat personality. Other times he drives me batshit crazy and I want to duct tape him and bury him somewhere in a hefty bag.
2006-09-22 16:47:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is taking the piss out of them, but we are laughing in anice way...it isnt nasty and we know those sort of people don't hurt anyone else.
People like that are harmless
2006-09-22 16:39:01 · answer #5 · answered by thumberlina 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SERIOUSLY. Its just a piss take. But there are some people like this in the world.
2006-09-22 16:36:40 · answer #6 · answered by hard to know 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋