The Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism is the Protestant Christian church (a combination of Presbyterianism and Lutheranism) attended by the Simpson family on the animated American television program The Simpsons. The only known congregation is the First Church of Springfield, which most Springfielders attend. The unusually specific name is a parody of Protestant reformed churches branching off into other denominations and movements. Reverend Lovejoy is a member of the clergy of Presbylutheranism.
Contents |
[edit] Formation
The Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism is one of possibly several Protestant sects whose ancestors were in conflict with the Roman Catholic Church over their holy right to come to church with wet hair. This right, however, was later abolished. The Schism of Lords marked their official split from the Catholic Church.
[edit] Outlook on other religions
The church still remains at odds with Catholicism, its more devout members needing to have their hands re-blessed after shaking with a Catholic. Reverend Lovejoy, in "Bart Has Two Mommies," also mentions his rivalry with a local Episcopal church, and he engages in a brawl with a Catholic priest after an exchange of hostilities in "The Frying Game". Native religions, for instance those which are found in the south Pacific, are seen as inferior, and missionary activity is employed to ridicule away the beliefs of native peoples (as in the episode Missionary: Impossible). The church also has enemies on a social level, including monogamous gays and stem cells.
