Mark I. Pinsky (1)

Read this book around religious people. It makes them think you're pious and hip! (I know from experience)

A good honest look at how religion is portrayed on The Simpsons (up until their 2001 season). Interesting in its scope about how it portrays primarily Christian beliefs (and written by a Jewish scholar). Not too much substance on religion or to learn anything new about religion, but an interesting new way to take a look at the Simpsons.

In the author's previous book "The Gospel According to The Simpsons," the key thesis was "It's not what you think." In this book, the author proposes: "It is what you think, more or less, but here is how and why." (xi)

Disney is essentially selling the message that good will be rewarded why bad would be punished. Disney appeals to a world that wants to believe in something.

He's the evangelical next door on The Simpsons, and that's okily dokily among many believers -- Television's most effective exponent of a Christian life well-lived.