Dilshad D. Ali: May 2007 Archives

Don't tell me you missed it. America's longest-running sitcom and animated series, "The Simpsons," aired it's 400th episode on Sunday--a hilarious showdown between decency guru Ned Flanders and doofus newsman Kent Brockman over an alleged indecent on-air comment. It was funny, it was sharp, it was stupid, it was classic "Simpsons."

What can I say about this awesome comedy? For more than two decades we've been treated to the buffoon-istic stylings of Homer and his crazy family. And for us religion, faith and spirituality geeks here at Idol Chatter, "The Simpsons" provided ample fodder for the stuff we revel in: From Apu's defense of Hinduism to Rev. Lovejoy's unique take on Christianity to Homer's, well, Homer's "relationship" with God, "The Simpsons" covered it all.

So here's an impromptu tribute to our favorite animated family. Idol Chatter would like to present our favorite religious moments from "The Simpsons":

From Dena Ross: In the episode "I D'OH-BOT" the Simpson cat Snowball II is run over by a car and dies. Lisa gets another cat, Snowball III, from an animal shelter, which then drowns while trying to grab fish from a fish tank. She then gets another cat, Coltrane, but he jumps out of the window and dies after listening to Lisa saxophone playing. After the animal shelter refuses to give Lisa another cat, she sits outside and pets a leaf saying that maybe she wasn't meant to have a cat. Suddenly what looks to be an angel appears. However, it turns out to be the Crazy Cat Lady. She throws a cat at Lisa--which miraculously, escapes death. She names the cat Snowball II.

Catch a compliation of the Crazy Cat Lady here on Youtube.

From Holly Rossi: One of my very favorite religious Simpsons moments is in the "Homer the Heretic" episode. Check out the following dialogue:

Ned: Homer, God didn't set your house on fire.

Rev. Lovejoy: No, but He was working in the hearts of your friends and neighbors when they came to your aid, be they [points to Ned] Christian, [Krusty] Jew, or [Apu] ... miscellaneous.

Apu: Hindu! There 700 million of us.

Rev. Lovejoy: Aw, that's super.

From Michael Kress: "Krusty's Adult Bar Mitzvah": After discovering he cannot get a star on Springfield's Jewish Walk of Fame because he never had a bar mitzvah, Krusty joins thousands of Americans who are moved to celebrate this teenage coming-of-age ceremony as adults. Actually, he has two bar mitzvahs: One big splashy one that ends up as a reality show, the other is quieter and more intimate, intended to reconnect with his estranged father.

It guest starred Mr. T, with the unforgettable line, "I pity the shul that won't let Krusty in now!"

From Lilit Marcus: There are so many. Here's my short list:

Homer offers Apu's Ganesh statue a peanut, to which Apu responds "Please do not offer my god a peanut!"

The Flanders family attempts to baptize Maggie while she’s in their foster care.

When Lisa disapproves of "Whacking Day" (where people whack snakes), Rev. Lovejoy insists God approves of the holiday and holds up the Bible.
Lisa: Let me see that.
Rev. Lovejoy: No.

Krusty find out he was adopted and therefore isn't really Jewish. His response: "All this time I thought I was a self-hating Jew, and it turns out I'm just a plain old anti-Semite!"

Homer is trying not to eat a pie that Marge baked. He says "God, if you want me to eat this pie, please give me no sign." Nothing happens, and Homer eats the pie.

Great non sequitur: Miss Hoover to Ralph in art class: "Ralph, for the last time, Jesus did not have wheels."

Rev. Lovejoy, talking about the Bible: "Everything in the Bible is a sin, Marge. Technically, we're not even allowed to go to the bathroom."

From Ellen Leventry: I love the time when Homer thinks he's talking to God, but it's really a waffle Bart stuck on the ceiling, and Marge knocks it off into his hands--and he eats it. Homer coined the classic phrase, "Sacrilicious." I use that phrase all the time!

As for me--I'm not totally well-versed in everything "Simpsons," but I loved all of it--everything mentioned by the other bloggers. If this show is this good on television, imagine how hilarious Homer and the gang will be on the big screen when their movie comes out this summer.

Tonight's "20/20" on ABC looks to be a fascinating two-hour special on all aspects of faith and spirituality. The show is known for producing such specials on a variety of subjects, and tonight's episode covers nearly all "hot" aspects of faith that are permeating news magazines, documentaries, news shows, and other types of media. Some of what will be explored tonight includes:

Amma, and the power of a hug: How did this ordinary woman from India become a superstar, when all she does is simply hug and love people? Why do people the world over flock to her for hugs and to hear her kind words?

What is faith? Does it have to do with religion, with a belief in God? Or is it simply about appreciating the things in your life, like the nature around you, or the love of a child? Is faith something that takes over your life?

Aethism: Why have atheists become so popular these days? With people like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens leading the charge, are aethists becoming the voice of reason in a time when religion is taking the blame for so much worldly unrest? How do aethists on a local level suffer when they refuse to recite the Lord's Prayer?

Miracle healing: Does it really exist? Why do people fall prey to those who say they have a miracle cure for something, when it's the dollars they're really after?

The smorgasborg of offerings in tonight's special is dizzying, indeed. I hope '20/20' has time to really and deeply explore these provocative faith topics--because even though two hours is a world of time in television, it's but a blink of an eye when it comes to explaining faith.

Where do celebrities find their spirituality? It could be in the garden, on the golf course, or in their singing, performing comedy, or even drumming.

A new Beliefnet gallery highlights all the fascinating ways that different celebrities--like "Everybody Loves Raymond's" Patricia Heaton, singer Roseanne Cash, and actors Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell--find spirituality in their daily lives.

Click through the gallery to learn more, and then read all the original Beliefnet interviews with the featured celebrities.