'D'oh!' Many left without a seat as 'Simpsons' talk packs theater

As patrons entered to the sounds of slap-stick gags and the familiar "D'oh!," Whittenberger Auditorium quickly filled up Tuesday night with a capacity audience anticipating an insightful evening filled with debates and discussions. Bringing up points drawing from philosophy to lackluster performance of the show itself, "Sin and Spirituality in Springfield" was an event for all.\nSenior Jonathon Lipnick, a religious studies major, opened the evening with provocative quotes and insight into the controversial issues surrounding the pop culture icon.\nProfessor of Religious Studies John McRae, voted by the Undergraduate Religious Studies Association to most likely be a "Simpsons" character in the next life time, then led a short discussion about which faculty members embody different "Simpsons" characters. Audience members contributed with a suggestion of Myles Brand as Mr. Monty Burns. \nThrough his segment, McRae demonstrated the connections between Lisa Simpson and the use of ancient religions in the show, which he also presents in his "Zen and the Problem of Irrationality" course. Using a clip from the "Dead Putting Society" episode, McRae distinctly discussed Lisa's use of Zen Buddhism from an American perspective and Chinese Taoism to train Bart for a miniature golf match.\n"While miniature golf is not one of East Asia's martial arts, it still allowed for a shallow understanding of the religions," McRae said.\nFollowing McRae's presentation, author Aeon Skoble took the podium, raising ideas about the links between philosophy, social issues and "The Simpsons." \nWhile comparing the distinctions between Sophocles, Christina Aguilera, Shakespeare and "Star Trek," Skoble delved into the realm of pop culture and its effects on the masses. Philosophy, though ancient, was something that is more easily brought to the masses through a pop culture icon, such as "Star Trek" during his childhood. \nFor many in the present day, Skoble pointed out, "The Simpsons" does just that. \nFollowing the philosophical and social aspects explored by Skoble was author Mark Pinsky, who opened his presentation by saying, "You've been patient. Now it's time for recess and dessert, depending on how you see it."\nFor Pinsky, it was a parental sense of protection that led him to screen the show for the safety of his kids. Although a leftist and child of the '60s, Pinsky admitted to his agreement with the Southern Baptists that "commercial television is of the devil," initially his reason for avoiding the show. Eventually Pinsky, with his two young children, was watching up to 11 episodes per week and was happy that his children were receiving messages about loving marriages after 10 years, which has been the case of Homer and Marge Simpson throughout the show. \nLipnick, who helped to plan the entire event, was pleased with the success of the forum.\n"I was thrilled to arrive and see the room filled to capacity," Lipnick said. "I felt this program was a great way to shake people out of their day and stir up the muck."\nMany students also agreed with the issues brought forth during the evening.\n"I am a hard-line 'Simpsons' fan, while at the same time my faith in Christianity is very strong," freshman Patrick McDaniel said. "I went in expecting to see if and how they were going to relate everything in an accurate way. (The symposium) helped me to evaluate 'The Simpsons' and other pop culture ideas in a new light"