Support NeoGAF

[NotWii]

VATICAN CITY – Homer Simpson a Catholic? Don't have a sacred cow, man.

The Vatican newspaper has declared that Homer is part of the pope's flock — a claim that is leaving "The Simpsons" TV producer baffled and amused.

"Few people know it and he does everything to hide it but it is true: Homer J. Simpson is Catholic," L'Osservatore Romano wrote in its weekend edition under the headline: "Homer and Bart are Catholic."

Last December, the newspaper also praised the show on its 20th anniversary for its philosophical leanings and irreverent take on religion.

The weekend story was the latest example of the Vatican paper's efforts to be more relevant in the last few years, and follows stories not only lauding Harry Potter but even praising the Beatles and waxing philosophical about John Lennon's boast that the British band was more popular than Jesus.

The paper quoted an analysis by a Jesuit priest, the Rev. Francesco Occhetta, discussing Homer's and his son Bart's conversion in a 2005 episode after meeting with a sympathetic priest, Father Sean, voiced by actor Liam Neeson.

L'Osservatore says the analysis shows that behind the TV program's jokes are themes "linked to the sense and quality of life."

"'The Simpsons' remain among the few programs for children in which the Christian faith, religion and the question of God are recurring themes," it said. "The family recites prayers together before meals and, in its own way, believes in heaven."

While noting that "The Simpsons" often takes jabs at religious figures, it said parents should not be afraid to let their children watch "the adventures of the little guys in yellow."

But the show's producer told Entertainment Weekly the Vatican may have gone a step too far in its analysis of the satire, noting that Homer and Bart only consider converting in the 2005 episode.

"My first reaction is shock and awe, and I guess it makes up for me not going to church for 20 years," EW.com quoted executive producer Al Jean as saying.

Jean noted that the Simpson family attends the First Church of Springfield "which is decidedly Presbylutheran."

"We've pretty clearly shown that Homer is not Catholic," he told the entertainment website. "I really don't think he could go without eating meat on Fridays for even an hour."

But L'Osservatore would seem to take that in stride, too.

"Skeptical realism seems to prevail in the Simpson stories," it wrote. "Young generations of television watchers are educated to not let themselves be fooled. The moral? None. But one knows that a world without easy illusions is a more human world and, perhaps, more Christian."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101019/ap_on_en_tv/eu_vatican_the_simpsons

:lol

 

[Anth0ny]

SAVE ME JEBUS!

 

[enzo_gt]

I think its sad that the Vatican newspaper even has this up as an editorial, levels of irrelevancy have gone critical. All I can say is, smh.

 

[richiek]

The Simpsons are clearly Protestant (Reverend Lovejoy). I don't know what the Vatican is smoking.

 

[PhoenixDark]

It's baffling how hard the Vatican tries to be hip with shit like this while at the same time proving safe haven for pedophiles, homophobes, and sexists.

 

[crazy monkey]

 

[Chinner]

Soon Islam will be claiming that the Na'vi are Muslims.

 

[squicken]

And he also has developed a moderate stance on possible homersexuals

 

[Count Dookkake]

D'ominus vobiscum.

 

[Jamesfrom818]

I'm really not liking the current papacy.

 

[Veidt]

Soon Islam will be claiming that the Na'vi are Muslims.

I don't know how you do it man, but you are unmatched :lol

 

[wenis]

I always thought the simpsons were christians?

 

[How About No]

How can this be when they go to a Protestant church and there was an episode where they're almost converted to Catholics?

 

[esquire]

The Simpsons are clearly Protestant (Reverend Lovejoy). I don't know what the Vatican is smoking.

They were eating rotisserie chicken.

 

[Darklord]

Bart isn't baptized so he'll rot in hell regardless. Right, Vatican?

 

[B-Rad Lascelle]

Clearly nobody here has seen the episode where Bart and Homer did INDEED convert to catholicism (Season 16's The Father, The Son and The Holy Guest Star).

(Needless to say, I believe they converted back at the end of the episode. Only Lisa's life decisions stick. Barney made a good try at it, though... sobriety just wasn't for him.)

 

[Akim]

Clearly nobody here has seen the episode where Bart and Homer did INDEED convert to catholicism (Season 16's The Father, The Son and The Holy Guest Star

no one here watched past season 10, don't you know that?

 

[Tenks]

I always thought the simpsons were christians?

I thought it was Protestant? We need religious GAF in here ASAP.

 

[Clydefrog]

Well, he hates Flanders.

 

[Kurtofan]

Bart isn't baptized so he'll rot in hell regardless. Right, Vatican?

They never say things like that.

 

[Escape Goat]

Brides of Christ...ROLL OUT!

 

[Undubbed]

Always thought it was pretty clear that the simpsons mocked religion. Isn't surprising at all that Groening is non-religious.

 

[Walshicus]

I always thought the simpsons were christians?

And Catholics are Christians... what's your point?

Spoiler

It's pretty clear in the shows that they're not Catholic Christians.

 

[HomerSimpson-Man]

I remember this, it was the episode when Liam Neeson guest voiced as a Catholic priest.

In the Simpson's family:

Lisa is Buddhist.
Marge is Protestant.
Homer and Bart are Catholic.

 

[Plywood]

Homer was a Hell's Satan:

 

[DrFunk]

"The Catholic Church...we've made a few changes"

 

[sublime085]

I thought it was Protestant? We need religious GAF in here ASAP.

Both Protestantism and Catholicism are branches of Christianity.

 

[iamtheb]

What the Hell's on his mouth?

 

[UrbanRats]

There was an episode, where Homer and Bart joined the Catholic church or something like that.
Anyway, this is obviously pretty relevant stuff to discuss.

 

[News Bot]

I don't know what the Vatican is smoking.

Altar boys.

They never say things like that.

Keyword; say.

 

[Monocle]

They'll always be Episcopalian to me.

 

[ZealousD]

I'm not even sure this is something to brag about.

The being Catholic part, I mean.

What the Hell's on his mouth?

thatsthejoke.jpg ?

 

[cnizzle06]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUnH9NECSUU

 

[Kurtofan]

Keyword; say.

I can't read minds so...

 

[Bam Bam Baklava]

This is hilarious because in half the episodes you see them attending a non-catholic church. There is no mystery or question behind it.

 

[this guy]

Liam Neeson is a cool guy.

 

[Kurtofan]

My mistake.

 

[Macmanus]

Catholicism jumps the shark roughly a decade after The Simpsons did.

 

[LakeEarth]

God bless those Pagans.

 

[HomerSimpson-Man]

Both Protestantism and Catholicism are branches of Christianity.

I'm pretty amazed quite a few people don't realize this. Then again one of the major things since the Reformation when the Church split was trying to push each other as non-Christian to heighten their own religious gain.

 

[Axion22]

All Catholics attend a Catholic school?The majority doesn't.
I do not say that they are Catholics(they're Protestants) but your argument doesn't hold water.

Well, it doesn't make sense for a Catholic family to go to a non-catholic church.

I think, as a general rule, you are the religious affiliation of the church you attend.

 

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

I was looking for Homer quotes about The Church doesn't go well for them ,
Stealing! How could you? Haven't you learned anything from that guy who gives sermons at church? Captain what's-his-name?

Lisa, if the Bible has taught us nothing else -- and it hasn't -- it's that girls should stick to girl's sports, such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing and such and such.

You know, the one with all the well-meaning rules that don't work in real life -- uh, Christianity.

You make people miserable and there's nothing they can do about it, just like god.



But then again
Phfft! Facts. You can use them to prove anything.

 

[Dali]

They're actually snake-handlers. Moe converted them in an unaired episode that only I've seen.

 

[Tieno]

The Vatican identifying itself with a show past its prime, how ironic.

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

what about when Flanders tried to convert Bart and Lisa and Homer took a baptism for them?

 

[tmarques]

More importantly, why would anyone want to associate their religion with these horrible, crude, selfish, dishonest people?

 

[Macmanus]

More importantly, why would anyone want to associate their religion with these horrible, crude, selfish, dishonest people?

 

[XiaNaphryz]

what about when Flanders tried to convert Bart and Lisa and Homer took a baptism for them?

Pretty sure Flanders isn't Catholic, going by Lovejoy's parish.

 

[bean breath]

Is Stan Marsh Catholic?

 

[Ela Hadrun]

Great, so the Catholic Church allows priests to marry now? That's awesome news!