: : y y r E r E a a R R n n i i U U d d T T r r L L o o Religious Representations in Popular Culture: - - U U a a C r C r

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R Jesus of South Park R e e

A A o o L t L t

U U y y r P r P Anca ANTON, a a O O n n i P i P University of Bucharest, Romania

d d d d r r n o n o a a a a

r r t t N N x x Abstract Mots-clés O e O e

I I m G m G I I o o r r

L The paper focuses on identifying how Jesus is Représentations religieuses, série d’animation L f f E E represented in the Comedy Central adult-oriented pour adultes, Jésus, culture populaire. R R

, , animated show South Park, an iconic popular culture A A I I

D product considered both the heir to The Simpsons and Introduction D E E its superior in terms of social and cultural satire. M M We arrive at the core of the paper after revealing This paper resides at the intersection of two the subsequent strata of religion and popular culture, fields of study, religion and popular culture, each religion and television and religion and animated component coherent and well established in their own shows. Looking at the 21 seasons of the show, we right, but tentative as a “nascent discipline” (Lyden, selected the episodes in which Jesus appears and then 2015, p. 7). proceeded by using content analysis to identify South Media studies brought religion into the spotlight Park-specific categories and themes regarding the when television started to add dimensions to it: family representations of Jesus. shows, standard imagery, traditional Christmas specials, stereotypical representations started to be Keywords joined in the ‘90s and ‘00s by shows Baby-Boomers and GenX-ers created in a humanist spirit, dominated Religious representations, adult animated series, by social satire and a pluralist perspective on religion Jesus, South Park, popular culture. and spirituality. This emerging duality can be examined through Newcomb’s television functions, Résumé which are informed by Weber’s canonical distinction of religious leadership (Siegler, 2015, pp. 42-43): if L’article se concentre sur l’identification de la we look at television as contemporary religious façon dont Jésus est représenté dans South Park, la authority, we can see two types of authority, namely

Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018 Anul XIII, nr. série d’animation pour adultes transmise par Comedy “priestly” and “prophetic”, each translating into Central, un produit emblématique de la culture functions of television. When acting in its priestly populaire considéré à la fois l’héritier des Simpsons function, television is a keeper of the status-quo, et son supérieur en termes de satire sociale et culturally conservative and repetitive, mirroring a culturelle. Nous arrivons au cœur du papier après priest’s role “to comfort, to ritualize life, mark avoir révélé les strates subséquentes de la religion et occasion, and reinforce membership in a community”, de la culture populaire, de la religion et de la thus providing a comforting experience – this télévision, de la religion et des séries d’animation. function perfectly describes television and religion in En regardant les 21 saisons, nous avons sélectionné the ‘80s. In contrast, the prophetic function will les épisodes dans lesquels Jésus apparaît et avons critique these exact values; Newcomb starts from ensuite procédé en utilisant l’analyse de contenu Weber’s distinction that “the priest lays claim to pour identifier les catégories et les thèmes spécifiques authority by virtue of his service in a sacred tradition,

Jurnalism ºi comunicare * Jurnalism ºi comunicare à South Park concernant les représentations de while the prophet’s claim is based on personal revelation and charisma” (Weber, 1965, p. 46). 26 Jésus. M f M f r r o

The prophetic function is in line with a particular “Surprisingly enough, the most innovative o E E m m D academic approach stating that television is or should use of religion in prime time is now found not D

I I e e A A x be a vehicle for social change, the attitude associated in family oriented shows but in series for x t t , ,

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r R R a with this stance being “critical, non-conformist, […] mature audiences. The same circumstances that a o E o E r r L L d trying to alter and transform customary ideas and introduced adult language, explicit sexuality, d I I i i G n G n

perceptions” (Wach, 1944, p. 349). This function of and controversial subject matter to prime-time a a I I r r O O y television resonates with the generation that started to television have […] brought religion along as y N N

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o a produce popular culture content in the ‘90s, leaving well.” (Thompson, 2005, p. 50) a

n e n e x x d behind the soothing priestly function: Shows like The Flintstones or The Jetsons, d t t

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“Rather than praising their common media explicitly aimed at children, had no multiple levels O - - o o P P r identification, GenX-ers share ironic distance of meaning and were not interested in religion; r U U d d L i L i n from the shows, toys and emblems of their ultimately, they did not respond to new sensibilities n A A a a r R r youth. What excuses their current fascination and cultural demand, so they remained fairly R y y

C with their own past childhoods is the clever anchored in the world of childhood. The new wave of C U U L spin they can put on it through alienation, animated sitcoms had a different approach: multiple L T T U recontextualization or satire” (Rushkoff, 1996, levels of meaning were a must, comedy took the form U R R E p. 106). of parody and/or satire, and religion was among the E : The prophetic function hails a counterculture that social issues the shows addressed. Where the line was : gained momentum and recognition in the ‘00s and drawn when it came to religion varied from show to ‘10s, animated series aimed at mature audiences show, but many of the most successful shows in the surprisingly leading the way. Siegler enriched this genre approached the topic of religion and religious dual approach of television functions with a third one, representations on various occasions and from diffe - “rabbinic, wherein television serves as a catalyst for rent perspectives: The Simpsons, Futurama, King of religious debate and religious change in the context of the Hill, South Park, Family Guy and, more recently, lived religion” (Siegler, 2015, p. 43). This function Ugly Americans and Rick and Morty. However, perfectly resonates with a new generation of cultural there are certain common elements, like the position consumers, Gen Y (also known as Millennials), who on God and agency: “Popular American comedy Jurnalism ºi comunicare * approaches organized religion with scepticism and is generally rejects the vertical dimension of the Gospel considered less religious than older generations (Pew metanarrative, which represents God as the ultimate Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life, agent in human affairs. Mass-mediated comedy 2010), even less spiritual (Twenge, Exline, Grubbs, instead offers America a horizontal view of salvation Sastry, & Campbell, 2015). that focuses on human agency as the means to a Animated sitcoms are a vivid example of the better world.” (Schultze, 2005) Compared to previous prophetic function of American television when it shows, the adult-oriented sitcoms might therefore comes to religion. Christmas specials, traditional seem blasphemous and, indeed, many popular culture sitcoms, family oriented shows reinforced the priestly books have chapters analysing that particular type of function in that it conveyed time-honoured religious interpretation/reception: Family Guy and God: representations, stereotypes and imagery: focus on Should Believers Take Offense? (VanArragon, 2007), Christianity, minimal to no representations of other Blasphemous Humour in South Park (Murtaugh, Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018 religions except stereotypical depictions (e.g.: Jews 2007), They Satirized My Prophet … Those Bastards! responsible for Christ’s crucifixion), canonical South Park and Blasphemy (Koepsell, 2007), representations of religious figures. The ‘90s started Is Nothing Sacred?: Religious Parody in South Park to chip away at the supremacy of these shows when (Daas, 2012). There is a paradox concerning religion animated sitcoms aimed at adults began to appear and animated adult-oriented shows: on the one hand, and win prime-time space and recognition; their the way the shows represent religion (we are not perspective on religion was a game changer because, differentiating at this point between the systems of as television made its way towards the ’00, the belief and the institutions created around the systems) prophetic function (seen in the satiric and question the is often critical and, as such, might be considered norm approach) gained terrain. negative. But at the same time the shows facilitate 27 28 MEDIA,, RELIGION and POPULAR CULTURE: Jurnalism ºi comunicare * Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018 from extraordiinary to extra-ordiinary 2018 beingtheyearofits22 success ofthe TV station. of ComedyCentralanditplayedacentralroleinthe by MattStone and Trey Parkerin1997attherequest became apopularculturephenomenon.Itwasstarted represented by intellectually” (Johnson-Woods, 2007,p.xi). backwards aestheticallyandfivestepsforward and cleverwriting,“[taking]animationonestep became thesubject ofonetheepisodes. lost toPhilCollinsandthesinger, aswellthesong, 22 minutes;usually season 17. The runtimeforeachepisodeisaround seasons 8-16andswitchingto10episodessince season, settlingonastandard14episodesduring 7 seasonsitoscillatedbetween13and18episodesper filled injust2yearsby America’s dysfunctionalfamily(thatslotwouldbe Married withChildren Stimpy Show alongside showslike (ironically, astheypavedthewayfor theatres, 1997 waswhen important yearfortelevisionandpopularculture: popularity ontheother. satire, ontheonehand,andcontroversy-driven adult audiencethatreachedanunprecedentedlevelof animated showsasastand-alonetelevisiongenre. important degree,bytheriseofadult-oriented development inthelastdecadesisinformed,toan religion andpopularcultureasadiscipline,its discussion aboutreligionandenabledialog. a As for mix: unapologeticsatire, signature show)andoffered therighttypeofcultural its potentialandComedyCentralwaslookingfora were makingacomeback,theInternetstartedtoshow arrived attherightmoment(adultorientedcartoons 2013) for 93 times;itwon5Emmys(2005,2007,2008,2009, Throughout its20yearruntheshowwasnominated Wars I episodes, withoccasionaltwo-partepisodes( Oscar (The72 Longer, BiggerandUncut Canada Park – Awards, n.d.).Inaddition,thesong The universeoftheresearchistherefore In ourcase,theshowisananimatedserieswith & Beavis andButt-Head II from the1999featurefilm , Outstanding Animated ProgramOutstanding Animated Imaginationland I ), nd Titanic Buffy South Park Academy Awards –2000,n.d.);it started toslayvampiresand South Park The Simpsons,Renand and South Park ended its10yearrunas South Park Family Guy Men inBlack , ananimatedshowthat anything goes was nominatedforan nd said goodbyetoMTV & season. Forthefirst II , does standalone 200 appeared inan is stillrunning, ). South Park: South Park, & filled movie South Park 201 approach Cartoon (South Blame etc.). the socalled elements ineachepisode;theanimatedsitcommixed success istheconstantpresenceofpopularculture from Millennials. Another major componentofits interest, firstfromGenXersandthen,tosomeextent, selection; butitisexactlythiscritiquethatattracted approaches varioustopics,aswellfortheir animated showthatisvastlycritiquedforhowit fit intothefollowing categories:parents, adulttown other socialshortcomingsare exposedandcritiqued. used asamechanismthrough whichhypocrisyand the visualrepresentationof Mohammedetc.–thisis euthanasia, homosexuality, geneticexperiments,war, are outsidetherealmofchildhood,evenon TV: the boysarefacedwithdecisionsandtopicsthat In additiontotheirparentsanddysfunctionalschool, the irresponsibleonedisplayedbytheirparents. often haveanadultbehaviour, compensatingfor children fromavisualstandpoint,thefourboys (Ariès, 1975);so,eveniftheyarepresentedas medieval understandingofchildrenassmalladults modern dayattitudestowardschildhoodandpre- South Park, are theonlyonesseeingthatemperorisnaked.In in whichtheyliveisimperfectanditseemsthat to saveeitherthetownortheirwayoflife. The world community inmakingimportantdecisions. They have what theirparentsdidwrongortoguidethe wiser thantheadults.Manytimestheyhavetofix play thetown’s savioursorconscience,provingtobe Kyle, CartmanandKenny, whoalmosteveryepisode boys (4 focusing onreligionandreligiousrepresentations. in noshortsupply, someofthemostscandalous informed theirmostcontroversialepisodes,whichare none ofitis”(Parker&Stone, 2006)principlehas about ininterviews;their“It’s gottoallbeOKor is onethattheshow’s creatorshaveopenlytalked world” (Johnson-Woods, 2007,p.75). This approach valesque styleinitsdepictionofthecontemporary correctness a but insteadmakesbreakingeveryruleofpolitical the Park social satireandtabootopics. What setsapart unrefined animationwithunapologeticallysavage The charactersthesefourkids interactwithcanbe South Park The maincharactersin fact thatitdoesnotstopatmakingfunofsociety, from otheradultorientedanimatedshowsis th grade, elementaryschool)namedStan, the kidsareascarycombinationof toilet humour modus operandi enjoys anenormoussuccessfor South Park , bizarrescenariosand , adopting“acarni - are fouryoung South M f M f r r o citizens, children from their school (class mates and giving two parts out of six to the analysis of the role o E E m m D of religion: Part II – South Park and … Religion and D older students), staff from their school, celebrities

I I e e A A x Part III – South Park versus … Religion. This is x coming from various fields (with a focus on t t , ,

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r R R a entertainment), Canadians/other foreign nationals and certainly a recognition of the major role played by a o E o E r r L L d fantasy/religious characters to name the main ones. religion in the show and is an indicator of the growing d I I i i G n G internal coherence and relevance of popular culture n a

Among the religious characters, Jesus Christ, one a I I r r O O y of the main figures of Christianity, is the most and religion as a discipline. y N N

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The present research aims to be complementary to a frequently present in South Park. This does not mean a

n e n e x x d that other religions and religious figures do not appear the existing literature and offer a more developed d t t

r r P P a analysis of how Jesus is presented and represented in a in the show, but Jesus has a quantitatively superior O O - - o o P P

South Park. Representation will be used in Stuart r presence. Nevertheless, there is little analysis in the r U U d d L i L Hall’s understanding of the concept, “connecting i n

South Park/popular culture/religious studies literature n A A a a r R r addressing the topic of Jesus of South Park. In Toni meaning and language to culture” (Hall, 1997, p. 15). R y y

C Johnson-Woods’ 2007 Blame Canada: South Park C U U L and Popular Culture, Jesus has a 2 page section in the Method L T T U chapter dedicated to religion, Blessed Art Thou U R (Johnson-Woods, 2007, pg. 228-230); the focus is This paper sets out to explore the representations R E E : represented by his interactions and a short review of of Jesus in adult-oriented cartoons, namely in South : the traits that come across from these interactions. In Park, an animated series often considered the modern the 2007 volume edited by Robert Arp, South Park day heir to The Simpsons, particularly “in terms of its and Philosophy: You Know, I Learned Something prophetic critique of religion” (Siegler, 2015, p. 49). Today, Jesus is a one-paragraph pretext to talk about If the representations of Jesus play a role in this blasphemous humour (Murtaugh, 2007), blasphemy Weberian understanding of prophetic critique remains (Koepsell, 2007), religious pluralism (Dueck, 2007) to be seen and addressed in the paper. and Satan (Jacquette, 2007); a similar approach and Throughout the discussion we will “use the term underwhelming analysis of Jesus can be found in the representation to refer to the processes by which 2008 volume edited by Jeffrey Andrew Weinstock, meanings are produced and exchanged through shared Taking South Park Seriously, specifically in two sign systems. These sign systems are what we refer to Jurnalism ºi comunicare * chapters, South Park Heretics: Confronting Orthodoxy as texts, but a text could be a book, film, TV program, through Theater of the Absurd (Fallows, 2008) and song, dance, or ritual.” (Takacs, 2015, p. 67) The (DeLashmutt & Hancock, 2008). Similarly, Jesus is focus will be rather on construction than on reception, briefly mentioned in chapters in other collective although the latter will inform the analysis. works: South Park and Philosophy: Bigger, Longer, Aiming at a thorough coverage of the instances in and more Penetrating (Hanley, 2007), The deep which Jesus appeared in the show, we took into end of South Park: critical essays on television’s consideration all the episodes from the 21 seasons shocking cartoon series (Stratyner & Keller, 2009), spanning from 1997 to 2017, which amounts to 287 Deconstructing South Park: critical examinations of episodes. We also took into consideration (as special animated transgression (Cogan, 2012), The Ultimate episodes) the 2 short animations that preceded the South Park and Philosophy: Respect My Philosophah! series (The Spirit of Christmas: Jesus vs. Frosty and

(Arp & Decker, 2013). This non-central position of The Spirit of Christmas: Jesus vs. Santa), as they Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018 Jesus in the relevant literature might indicate that this inform the subsequent configuration of the show; main figure of Christianity does not hold a central role from the South Park universe we also included the in the show when religion is discussed and it will 1999 feature film South Park: Bigger, Longer and certainly be an aspect included in our analysis. Uncut, taking the total to 290. We did not include the Nonetheless, it is interesting to mention that, 3 short countdown skits Stone and Parker produced following the evolution of the importance given to for Comedy Central (1998 New Year’s Countdown, religion in the books dedicated to South Park, it is 1999 New Year’s Countdown, 2000 New Year’s only in the most recent ones that the topic has its own Countdown), nor the 7 short skits the creators did for dedicated parts, not just chapters, with The Ultimate various occasions (Dead Friend Sketch, The Gauntlet, South Park and Philosophy: Respect My Philosophah! Jay Leno etc.), as they were not aired for South Park’s 29 30 MEDIA,, RELIGION and POPULAR CULTURE: Jurnalism ºi comunicare * Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018 from extraordiinary to extra-ordiinary actor/activist, soldier, publicfigurefallenfrom (hero, superhero,showhost,SonofGod,social characters (supporter, antagonist,norapport),status antagonist, partofateam),relationtothemain interpretative codes:typeofcharacter(central, the selectedtext,generatingbothdescriptiveand was devisedthroughopencodingbyimmersioninto qualitative aspects(categoriesandsubcategories) exposure). The secondcodingsheetregistered number oflinesperepisode(centrality/marginality, episodes) Jesusappearedineachseason(frequency), syntactical units):numberoftimes(inhowmany sheet registeredquantitativeaspects(physicaland analysis, usingtwocodingsheets. The firstcoding creators’ perspective. into considerationself-image,hetero-imageandthe the representation(s)ofJesusin meaning. Inanalysinganddrawingconclusionsabout Christ”, astheirfrequentusedepletesthemof tion theexpletives“OhMyGod”and“Jesus”/”Jesus In managingthetext,wedidnottakeintoconside ra - text/lines deliveredbyJesus,toJesusoraboutJesus. appears. Fromeachscriptwemanuallyselected into considerationonly28,thoseinwhichJesus Archives, n.d.)providesthefullscriptandwetook of the290episodes, regular viewersandarerelativelyunknown.Foreach Having selectedthecorpus,weappliedcontent South Park South Park Wikia (SouthPark we took the characterhadaninitialconstantandsubstantial appears hasalwaysvariedinthe 2012) isthelastoneinwhichJesusappears. the numberofappearances,asseason16(releasedin stage topointouttheseason-by-seasonevolutionin the representationofJesus. traditional categoriesofreligiousrepresentationand visual markers. These categoriesarepredominantly with humans,stanceonreligion,holidays, with otherreligious/fantasticcharacters,relationship with God,relationshipthechurch, messages, taglinesandcatch-phrases,relationship counsellor), capacity(human/mortal,divine/immortal), Satan, punisher),role(fighter, educator, manager, Christianity, saviour, SonofGod,fighteragainst grace, celebrity),religiousrole(representativeof 10% ofthe total to31outof290;soJesusappearsinroughly South Park:Bigger, LongerandUncut Frosty, TheSpiritofChristmas:Jesusvs.Santa can addthosein no identifiablepattern. To these28appearanceswe various formsandfordifferent amountsoftime,with The numberofepisodesperseasoninwhichJesus Out ofthe287episodes,Jesusappearsin28 Findings South Park The SpiritofChristmas:Jesusvs. episodes. Itisimportantatthis South Park , takingthe series; and M f M f r r o presence, but it slowly declining, up to the point of After coding, we integrated the initial categories o E E m m D D

completely disappearing, in more recent seasons. This (religious role, status, relationship to the church etc.)

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1. the transformation of the US social and cultural categories, reflecting the position and descriptive o E o E r r L L d landscape, which the show followed by changing its representations of Jesus in regard to the show, to the d I I i i G n G n a focus to reflect current, hot topics or fads in seasons a town and to the people living there. Each episode I I r r O O y y N

17-21: governmental monitoring of private data, N

in which Jesus appeared or was mentioned was

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o a a paroxysmal consumerism, MMORPGs, gluten-free attached with a code referencing the dominant South n e n e x x d d t food, transgender people and toilet legislation, drones, t Park-specific category: Host of Jesus and Pals

r r P P a a O O - virtual reality, vlogging, body positive campaigns, (7 episodes), Member of The Council of Nine - o o P P r r U U gentrification, political correctness, sexuality and d (2 episodes), Leader of The Super Best Friends d L i L i n n A abuse, trolling and, of course, the 2016 presidential (3 episodes), Son of God, one of the townspeople A a a r R r R y elections and its results, integrated in a narrative arc (11 episodes), Son of God, saviour/fighter y

C C U across multiple episodes; (4 episodes), Son of God, unrelated to South Park U L L T 2. the frequent use of Jesus throughout the show, (4 episodes). T U U R up to the point where his backstory did not inform We will analyse each representation in the R E the plot anymore, but was a mere canvas on which the following pages, also pointing out how marginal or E : : creators projected current events and issues; Jesus’ central the character of Jesus is in each category by last appearance is in season 16 (2012), in the A Scause using a coding sheet in which we gathered data about for Applause episode, which deals with Lance the number of lines Jesus delivers in each episode and Armstrong’s demise from the world of cycling and how they measure against the average number of lines the loss of the 7 Tour de France yellow jerseys he delivered by a character in each episode. A qualitative had won by using performance enhancing drugs approach will be used as control for the quantitative (Macur, 2012) – in the episode Jesus is accused of analysis, as in some cases not saying anything does using drugs during the crucifixion, not suffering not mean marginality: in one of the animated shorts, through the ordeal and, thus, falsifying one of the The Spirit of Christmas: Jesus vs. Frosty, Jesus says central elements of Christian belief, that he suffered nothing, but, by battling and defeating the snowman, Jurnalism ºi comunicare * for humanity. thus saving the boys, he is central to the story. Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018

31 32 MEDIA,, RELIGION and POPULAR CULTURE: Jurnalism ºi comunicare * Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018 from extraordiinary to extra-ordiinary order toexterminatetheJewsinSouthPark. movement underthedisguiseofamoviefanclubin Gibson; last,butnotleast,Ericstartsaneo-Nazi back!”), thenthechurchand,inend,fromMel We weren’t entertained,andwe want ourmoney to learnthatstuff! We gotomoviesbeentertained! refund firstfromthemovie-theatre(“We gotochurch believing.”), butarenotimpressedandaskfora faith inJesus./ Yeah, itreallyguilt-tripsyouinto (“I the movie,notJesus’s ordeal,asdomostviewers wrongdoing byhispeople;Stan andKennyfocuson seeks awaytoatoneforwhatheperceivesas Kyle, whoisJewish,overwhelmedbyguiltand from thefourboys,capturingitsmixedreception: crucifixion. The movieelicitsverydifferent reactions we seehiminascenewhereheiswhippedbefore in theMelGibsonmovie,whichboyswatch; dialogue withthem. other charactersinthemovie,butdoesnotcarrya viewers inSouthPark(thetown),asheinteractswith character, withoneortwolinesintendedforthe other religions.Intwoepisodesheisamovie backstory ortoreinforcestereotypesinrelation create newculturalproductsthatareinformedbyhis happen, weseeJesusinstrumentalizedinorderto there areexceptionsandwhenthese universe thatisthetownofSouthPark.However, of Christianity, butontheotherhand,his name is p. 243):ontheonehand,he isviewedastheessence it depictsthe“Devotional Jesus”(Higton,2003, episode isparticularlyinteresting forthewayinwhich not advanceinabsentia. The cases hispresenceisessentialandthestorylinecould plays acharactermarginal tothestory, thoughinmost In As ageneralrule,Jesusisanintrinsicpartofthe Son ofGod,unrelated toSouthPark Whenever JesusisnotconnectedtoSouthPark,he think ifmorepeoplesaw The PassionoftheJew The Passion he isthetitularcharacter Christian RockHard they’d have originating inIslamiccountries. Islamophobia intheUSandofinternationalterrorism tensed andtoxicculturalclimate,theriseof changed inthecaseof2006episode,showing attacks, butthesituationandreactionsradically episode, whichairedinJuly2001,beforethe9/11 reactions beforeorafterthe reactions wereonbothsides:therenosubstantial tion ofthewayIslamwasviewedandwhat random andreflectstherapidradicaltransfor ma - Best Friends.However, thereactionisnotexactly episode aboutfiveyearsearlieraspartof The Super Mohammed hadalreadyappearedina time, butratherrandominthebiggerpicturebecause was eventuallycensoredanditseemedprudentatthe uncensored, despitereceivingdeaththreats. The image creators oftheshowfightingtoairepisode religion, censorshipandthecreativeprocess,with them. The episodereflectedthepublicdiscussionon Cartman andBartSimpsonjoiningforcestostop Mohammed inoneoftheirepisodes,despiteEric and managedtoshowanimage(censored)of well-known animatedseries, Wars, of themostintertextualepisodesshow, president George W. Bush. The movieappearsinone everyone inthemovie,includingJesusonthen- as abasicrepresentationofthis,everyonecrapson the shortcomingsanddecadenceofUScultureand, character inan Al-Qaeda propagandamoviedepicting music intheworld,right?If wejustplaysongsabout success: “Thinkaboutit! It’s theeasiestcrappiest “darling” withtheword“Jesus” andhasamassive all thesongsbysubstituting thewords“baby”or a bet,CartmanstartsChristian rockband,plagiarizes and Christiandevotionalmerchandise.Inordertowin to makemoneybyexploitingChristianpopularmusic the At theotherendofspectrum,Jesusisa perfect toolinthehandsofsomeonewhowants and isaretaliationtothefactthatanother Family Guy Super BestFriends South Park , intended Cartoon M f M f r r o how much we love Jesus, all the Christians will buy South Park: in Chickenlover he is not even credited o E E m m D our crap!” The episode perfectly encapsulates the D

and appears for 2-3 seconds, driving the parade car I I e e A A x power of the name “Jesus” in Christianity and the x t t from which officer Barbrady (local policeman) waves , ,

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r R R a falsification of belief by using it. a o E at the crowd gathered to celebrate him; in Cartman’s o E r r L L d In the It’s Christmas in Canada episode, Jesus Mom is a Dirty Slut he is engaged in a mundane d I I i i G n G n a does not appear, but he is mentioned by Eric Cartman a I

activity, having a drink at the local bar with father I r r O O y y

when talking to Kyle, who is Jewish: “I’m just saying, N N

Maxi; in Mecha-Streisand he has a line, but it is a t t

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maybe Jesus is having a little revenge, that’s all.” and person-in-the-crowd line, not a Jesus-the-son-of-God n e n e x x d d t

“It wasn’t enough for you people to kill Jesus, now t

line: when Robert Smith, member of the rock band r r P P a a O O

you have to kill Christmas too, huh?!” Cartman - The Cure, saves South Park from the Barbra Streisand - o o P P r r U U

usually uses offensive stereotypes when referring to d turned robot Mecha-Streisand, Jesus proclaims him d L i L i n n A the relationship between Christians and Jews, but A a

“Our Saviour!”, as the voice of the crowd. a r R r R y what we see here is a good example of how y

At the next level or representation within this C C U the creators treat humour differently: Jesus or South Park-specific category, the Son of God U L L T Mohammed are mocked particularly through component comes to the forefront, replacing the one T U U R story lines, while Jews – Kyle and his family, in this of the townspeople component, dominant at the first R E E

case – are mocked directly, to their faces. : level. We can observe Jesus taking on a role more : relevant to the story, irreplaceable, in contrast to the Son of God, one of the townspeople marginal level, where any other inhabitant of the town could have taken his place with no major After arriving in South Park to fight Santa Claus consequences. At this second level, Jesus is the only over the meaning of Christmas, Jesus never left, one who can perform the specific actions, although becoming an integral part of the community. Over the his role is not the focus of the narrative; however, he span of 21 years (and seasons), the Son of God is involved in the plotline because he lives in the town managed to develop quite a tumultuous relationship of South Park and the situations are, to a certain with the townspeople, while being simultaneously one degree, personal: in Probably, he shuts down Jurnalism ºi comunicare * of them and one of the pillars of Christianity. Cartman’s church for children and punishes him, in We can identify three levels of this representation, A Very Crappy Christmas he is a character in the as it is the dominant one (from a quantitative point of re-enactment of the initial South Park short film, view) and can generate comparisons and patterns. The recreated by the boys, in which he battles Santa, while levels will be defined by both the impact and the in Butterballs he bullies a movie producer by centrality/marginality of Jesus in the storyline of the threatening him with hell in order to defend Stan. episodes included in this category: marginal, relevant The third level deals with consequential religious and essential. and cultural themes, with the character of Jesus At the marginal level we see Jesus carry on his driving the plot or playing an essential role in a everyday life as if he were an ordinary inhabitant of substantial section of the episode. Mentioned Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018

33 34 MEDIA,, RELIGION and POPULAR CULTURE: Jurnalism ºi comunicare * Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018 from extraordiinary to extra-ordiinary “If Godjustfixed everythingforus,then there’dbe by notinterfering,hisfather helpedhimgrow: relationship withGodandreaches theconclusionthat religious popularity. Intheend,Jesusreflects onthe unwilling tohelphimin hisreligiousquestfor of themillenniumandhisfather, whoisseemingly convincing Godtomakeanappearanceatthepassing following thatconditionsitsdevotiononJesus in thebook,Jesusiscaughtbetweenanadoring ever seen!”).SimilartoMargaret’s familydynamic the mostamazingNew Year’s spectaclethisworldhas just madeafewphonecalls,andI’mgoingtoputon I thinkI’mgoingtowineverybodyback,because again. I’m2000yearsold,butIfeellike28again! whatever reason,peoplearestartingtofollowme I feellikeI’vegotarealshotatcomeback,God.For relevance (“Jesus: Are youthere,God?It’s me,Jesus. Christ’s sake!”)andhisowndesireforreligious wanna hearsomethin’ new!It’s theyear2000,for we’ve heardthatcrapforabout2000yearsnow! We shall findpeace./Mr. Garrison: Yeah yeahyeah, crowd (“Jesus:Oh. Well. Yea. Believeinmeandye comeback astheSonofGodunderpressure with Jesusattemptingtomakeacelebritystyle Are youthere, God?It’s me,Margaret, millennium. Itreferencesthe1970JudyBlumebook, in is atthecoreofonemostJesus-centricepisodes like reignofGodonEarthbeforetheLastJudgement, claiming thattherewillbe1000yearsofaParadise- Millennialism, theChristianapocalypticprophecy large scalerepresentationofthisreligiousmoment. Last Judgementetc.),then,arguably, logical prophecies(theRapture,Millennialism,the Christ andthefulfilmentofotherChristianeschato - Coming weunderstandthearrivalofKingdom timeline oftheSouthParkuniverse)andbySecond Second Coming(whichisviable,accordingtothe perspective: ifweseethearrivalofJesusas South Park Colorado, aneventwithmajorimplicationsastohow means andchosesthemountaintownofSouthPark, regain possessionoverwhatthespiritofChristmas Second ComingofChrist;JesusdescendsonEarthto vs. Santa throughout thepaper, 29 Jesus th South Park , 1999andconnectedMillennialismtothenew (S03E16). The episodewasairedonDecember short isthe , namely could beviewedfromareligious The SpiritofChristmas:Jesus South Park Are You There God?It’s Me, equivalent ofthe South Park and itdeals is a his reasoningandactionsasJesus. being asimplecitizenandleadinganordinarylifeinto often bringingthevulnerabilityandinsecurityof across thelevelsofhishumanityanddivinenature, Son ofManandtheGod.Hegracefullymoves the paper),Jesusisanintriguingcombinationof (last appearanceintheshowuntiltimeofwriting of drugsinordertodiminishpainduringcrucifixion personal gain. and thereadinesstosacrificereligiousvaluesfor support ofcauses,thehypocrisyconditionedbelief morality, theself-congratulatory, applauseseeking Jesus, thediscussionaboutauthenticintentand questioning ofinternallogicinreligionandtherole the falsificationofGospelbyChurch, two episodesdealwithcomplexreligiousissueslike: religious andnon-religiousChristmassongs. The first driven content,asJesusandSantasingamedleyof Classics Special A Scausefor Applause surprise ofthoseinattendance. with asnaketongue”(episodescript),tothestupefied legged squirrel,elephant,cat,hippopotamushybrid South Park, has noconnectionwiththeChristianimagery:in descends onEarth;however, thevisualrepresentation what theyasked:afterJesushashisepiphany, God of goodjudgment.” The citizensofSouthParkreceive my newpopularityand,andIletpridegetintheway had tolearnallthisonmyown.Iwasovercomewith no pointinourexistence.[…]Igetitnow, Father. I episodes ( Friends Super BestFriends included inothercategories duetoprominence:the that couldbetakeninto consideration, butwere essential. Furthermore,therearefourmoreepisodes role inthisfirsteveranimatedshortofSouthParkis lines in important tomentionthat,eventhoughhedeliversno in 11 episodesand3ofthemfallinthiscategory. Itis appearances, Jesusisessentialorcentraltothestory how Jesusisrepresentedintheseries.Outof31 From drivingaparadecartoadmittingtheuse Other episodesthatqualifyforthislevelare This Son ofGod,saviour/fighter The SpiritofChristmas:Jesusvs.Frosty (S03E15), thelatterhavingapopularculture South Park category), the (S11E05) and Member ofthe CouncilofNine God lookslike“somekindofshort- episode ( -specific categoryiscentralto Imaginationland II (S16E13), Mr. Hankey’s Christmas Leader oftheSuperBest Fantastic Easter category) and , his III M f M f r r o and The Spirit of Christmas: Jesus vs. Santa short opposite of his warrior days in The Spirit of o E E m m D (Son of God, one of the townspeople category – Christmas: he acknowledges that he must fight in D

I I e e A A x although the fight is the obvious takeaway, the order to save the town and the world, but he is not in x t t , ,

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r R R a episode is consequential particularly because of the any physical shape, is afraid of the fight and falls prey a o E o E r r L L d arrival of Jesus in the town of South Park). to self-doubt. His despair increases when he consults d I I i i G n G n a a I I r r O O y y N N

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This representation of Jesus changes the a bookie and finds out that everyone in town, except L T T

perspective on what it means to be saved by him and one person, bet against him. Jesus is discouraged and U U R particularly on how the saving occurs. While biblical is not really fighting, until Kyle reminds him that R E E : Jesus saves humanity in a religious sense, South there is still one person who believes in him; Jesus : Park’s Jesus adds a physical component and engages throws a punch that barely registers with Satan, but in actual fights. Throughout the show he carries out the latter falls to the ground and accept defeat, or hints at many battles, each with a unique revealing that he was the one to bet on Jesus in a configuration. grander scheme to get all the bet money from the In The Spirit of Christmas: Jesus vs. Frosty people in town, despite the fact that Jesus repeatedly episode, the boys are attacked by a killer snowman told them not to bet on Satan. In the end, the people of and summon the Son of God from the local nativity South Park lost their souls to the Darkness, but were scene to help them. Jesus appears out of the manger, saved by Jesus through a literal fight. flying; his image is a reflection of Jesus from the In South Park: Longer, Bigger and Uncut, Jesus medieval paintings: the body is the size of that of a appears briefly while marching as part of the US army Jurnalism ºi comunicare * child, but his appearance is mature (long hair, beard). on its way to invade Canada. He wears a robe, but He briefly fights Frosty and defeats him by using his with camouflage print, holds an automatic gun and halo as a lethal boomerang, in a literal instrumenta - does not have a casket on his head, because of his lization of religious symbols. In The Spirit of halo. His appearance is an Easter-egg (cinematic Christmas: Jesus vs. Santa episode, we see a different device comparing the viewers’ search for hidden picture: an aggressive, retribution seeking Jesus images, messages and symbols with the Easter egg arrives in South Park to battle Santa and bring the hunt traditional in some Western countries) and often people the true meaning of Christmas, dominated by goes unnoticed. In the Red Sleigh Down episode, the “Kringle”, as he calls him. After both Jesus and Jesus is not in the army, but he enters his most bizarre Santa try to emotionally blackmail the children into fight yet, joining the boys to save Santa from the helping them defeat the other, the children convince Iraqis. He acts like a member of a military inter ven -

them that they can coexist and reach the conclusion tion team, using weapons, fighting Iraqi soldiers and Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018 that Christmas is not about Jesus or giving, but about killing them in close battle. He manages to save Santa, presents; they negate the pre-eminence of the but is killed in the process. religious and altruist narratives, opting for the The representation of Jesus as the religious saviour consumerist one, reflected in the extreme shopping of humanity is really just the tip of the iceberg in practice of Americans during Christmas. South Park. The battle configurations he enters speak The Damien episode is a South Park-style, twisted volumes about the richness of representation, albeit it retelling of the fight between Good and Evil, Light pushes Christianity further away from the centrality and Darkness, God/Jesus and Satan (his son, Damien, it enjoys in media and entertainment: when fighting comes to South Park and becomes classmates with alongside the Super Best Friends, a coalition of Stan, Eric, Cartman and Kenny). Jesus is the complete religious figures from around the globe, Jesus enters 35 36 MEDIA,, RELIGION and POPULAR CULTURE: Jurnalism ºi comunicare * Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018 from extraordiinary to extra-ordiinary successful instrumentthroughwhich imagination, butaninventionnonetheless.Jesusisthe the factthatreligionisapositiveresultofhuman Council ofNine(theonlyreligiousone)standsfor evil fruitsofhumanimagination,hispresenceinthe narrative ofreligiouspluralism;whenhebattlesthe a way ispavedwithgold for yewhoseektruth” Hello caller, you’reontheair.” (S01E04),“Yea, the open thephonelinesback upforsomequestions... answers, andIamthewayfor you,mychildren.Let’s by hisdivineorigin:“Yea, manyofyouare seeking genuinely triestogivesound,moraladvice,informed even aliveaudience. callers, whileinseason2theshowhasguestsand switching betweenformats:inseason1hehasonly advice; inaddition,heoccasionallyhasguestsonset, Pals aired onthelocalPublic Access Network. The he isthepresenterof treated intheshow: tly encapsulatesthereal-imaginaryissueandhowitis Wager. Kyle’s monologuein contemporary doubt,authenticbeliefandPascal’s expand thedefinitionofwhatreligionis,integrating centrality anddominanceofChristianity. subversive approachtothesocialandcultural religious groupsagainst offensive nature(somethingthatunitesvarious a crudeshow, thereasonsdonotlieonlyinits While thereiscertainlylegitimacyinprotestingsuch one. “religious inclusivism”(Dueck,2007,p.225) perspective, butfroma“religiouspluralism”or tions ofJesusnotfroma“religiousexclusivism” discusses Christianityanditdevelopstherepresenta - Christian religiousgroupshaveprotestedtheshow:it Jesus in Jesus doesnotexcelathisjob,butmeanswelland In SouthPark,Jesushasaprofessionaloccupation: Host of Kyle’s monologueandthemanyrepresentationsof they’re moreimportantthanmostofushere.” have. […] They mightbeimaginary, but had abiggerimpactontheworldthananyofus mean, whetherJesusisrealornot,he...he’s more thanmostrealpeopleinthisroom?I Skywalker andSantaClausaffected yourlives all real. Think aboutit.Haven’t Luke refers toviewerswhocallinandaskJesusfor “Um... becauseIthink...theyarereal.It’s South Park Jesus andPals point tooneofthereasons South Park Jesus andPals Imaginationland ), butratherinits South TV show, perfec - Park and development throughoutthe show, butitisdistinctive, Him.” (S04E10). living agood,happylife. That’s howyoulivefor God wantsyoutospendyour timehelpingothers,and your timebeingafraidofhell,orpraisingHisname. in attendancethat“Goddoesn’t wantyoutospendall Cartman’s oppressivecult-likereligion,tellingthose only twice,tohealsickpeopleandshutdown Throughout thewholeseries,JesusentersaChurch failing, jailshimanddeclareshimselfthenewpope. the US of fatherMaxi);inthesameepisode,leader with representativesoftheChurch(withexception Special he saystheword“church”once,in outside therealmoforganized religion:in31episodes unexpected, ashisreligiousexperiencesoccurmostly Church. indicator oftherelationshipbetweenhimand show” (S01E10)andnotasJesus;thisisarelevant recognizing himas“thatguyfromthepublicaccess fight withSatan,fatherMaxiistheonlyone However, whenhearrivesattheweigh-inbefore after gettingannoyedatthemandlosinghistemper. audience membersareshockedtohearhimswear sins, thatwasreallyniceofyou.”–S01E04);the thank youfortheadvice.Oh,andfor, fordyingmy sacrificing himselfonthecross(“Ijustwantedto advice; attheendofsomecallshereceivesthanksfor or visithisshow, theyarelookingforhisdivine mostly knownasareligiousfigure:whentheboyscall some levelofnotorietyasa TV personality, butheis and Pals”–S01E04).HostingtheshowbroughtJesus Announcer: That’s allthetimewe’veleftforJesus once andforall,mytrueopinion. You see-…/ TV my stanceonhomosexualityis.SoI’dliketostate Jesus: Myson,alotofpeoplehavewonderedwhat Jesus. I,Ihaveadog,andhe’s a-he’s ahomosexual./ he isinterruptedbytheradiostation(“Stan: Uh,hi, not touchingthatwithasixtyfootpole.”–S01E06)or assisted suicide,isthatokay?/Jesus:Myson…I’m because they’reinalotofpain,youknow, like, Jesus, is,isitokaytokillsomebodyiftheyaskyouto, issues, heprefersnottoenteranargument (“Stan: answers, butwhenheisaskedquestionsabouthot (S01E06) These arecommonsense,non-controversial and lyingiswrong,nomatterwhatthecircumstance.” (S01E05), “Tell littleGregorythatcheatingislying This representationofJesus isnotcentraltohis The relationshipofJesuswiththeChurchis , theepisodethatregistershisonlyinteraction Catholic ChurchtriestokillJesusand,upon Fantastic Easter M f M f r r o o E E m m D D

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r r P P a a O O - - o o P P r r U original and describes a different approach to I can’t wait to get back to my old show without all the U d d L i L i n religious interaction: “Television converts religion glitz and the ratings and producers”. The episode n A A a a r R r into entertainment, as television is essentially an brings forward products of American popular culture R y y

C entertainment medium” (Ferre, 2003, p. 87); thus, such as the tabloid talk show and the associated C U U L religion is consumed as entertainment and reaches the merchandising, but the spotlight is on the moral L T T U community faster, easier and in a format that can be compromise of religious shows that seek success at U R R E (culturally) consumed. any cost and the incompatibility between sensationa- E : Most of the times, the show is used as a plot list television and a behaviour informed by a religious : device, as a catalyst or as a space for transition from set of values. This issue has been addressed various one idea to another, primarily concerning the four times in South Park, particularly in relation to boys. However, there is one episode in which Jesus as televangelists and a commercially aggressive TV show host is central to the plot: The Mexican approach to religious TV programming. Staring Frog of Southern Sri Lanka (S02E06). When a local hunting show starts picking up audience Leader of the Super Best Friends points, the producer of his show pressures Jesus into a different approach to hosting and a new format, The contemporary US representation of Jesus is reminiscent of The Jerry Springer Show, in order to that he is central, dominant of any configuration he is help the ratings; Jesus is increasingly uncomfortable in; however, this power position, sometimes aggres - Jurnalism ºi comunicare * with the changes but, despite repeatedly suggesting to sively central, is often associated with institutionalized return to the old show, he goes along with the religion seeking validation, not with the original producer. The boys and the host of the other show teachings of piety, love and acceptance. The are invited on set for a special edition, but while they “ecumenical syncretism” (Pinsky, 2007, p. 268) are taping they also reveal that the interactions are professed and practiced by Jesus in the Super Best exaggerated on purpose, at the recommendation of the Friends episodes is a throwback to the original producer. The studio audience members are upset Christian values. because the show is staged and decide to leave. Jesus The Super Best Friends are a group of central is relieved that it is all over and gets back to his old religious figures, each representing a world religion, show, regretting the turn of events and punishing his whose configuration and dynamic mimic those of producer by sending her to Satan, in hell; there is no the DC Justice League of America. When Stan first reference as to how she gets there and this can prove arrives at the headquarters of the team, he is Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018 disturbing, because she would have had to die (to be introduced to each member and their superpowers, killed) in order to go to hell. The episode itself brings with a commentary about their relationship and insights into the psyche of South Park Jesus: he is a objective: “we are super best friends, with the desire calm person, cares about the well-being of humanity to fight for justice” (Mohammad). Besides Jesus, (he punishes only people who treat others badly), is whose superpower is mastery of carpentry, the other not competitive and does not care about reaching members are: “Buddha, with the powers of celebrity status, which is where he and his producer invisibility; Mohammad, the Muslim prophet with the part ways. “In our competition for ratings we lost powers of flame; Krishna, the Hindu deity; Joseph sight of why we got into show business in the first Smith, the Mormon prophet; Lao Tse, the founder place. […] the pursuit of truth, but—Well, anyway, of Taoism; and Seaman, with the ability to breathe 37 38 MEDIA,, RELIGION and POPULAR CULTURE: Jurnalism ºi comunicare * Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018 from extraordiinary to extra-ordiinary “The Simpsons[…]issympathetic tosincerefaith,if organized religion,similar tootheranimatedshows: for humanity. However, itisasubtlerejection of that religionmightplayaunifying, notadividingrole an acceptance,onthesideof thecreators,offact the existenceofSuperBestFriendscanbeseenas religion insomeofthecrudestwaysentertainment, and applyinallsituations,butashowthatmocks religion ispossible, of one’s ownreligiousexperience, tumultuous globalreality: existence ofsuchateamconveys,particularlyin quantitative dimensionthroughtheideasthat marginal. Butitsimportancesurpassesbyfarthe and, inthatregard,wemayconsiderthiscategory you guysareallactuallyfriends?” though peoplefightandargue overdifferent religions, this alliance:“Soyoumeantotellmethateven Best Friendsappearances. was retroactivelycensoredfromsomeofhisSuper Mohammad asasuperhero,eventhoughafter2006he explain theinitialacceptanceofdepiction sight” (Powell,2011, p.1).Suchanapproachcan devices helpstohidereligiousrepresentationinplain “Caricaturizing specificbeliefsandusingthemasplot show, inthe the fewactsofcensorshipinexistence cause considerabletensionandwouldleadtooneof 2001 episode,anactionthatfiveyearslaterwould popular culture;theyareshowingMohammadinthis brings thewholeconstructclosertocomicbooksand call himSemen,muchtohisdespair),butpresence for Seamanexceptcomicrelief(histeammates Friends – underwater andlinkmentallywithfish.”( We arenotstatingthattheseuniversal truths Religiouscollaborationstrengthensrelationships. - Working alongsideapersonofdifferent - Religioustolerance doesnotleadtothedemise - There aren’t manySuperBestFriendsepisodes Stan perfectlyexpressesthewondrousnatureof Two aspectsarisefromthislist:thereisnoreason S05E03) Cartoon Wars II episode (S10E04). Super Best between theparts. respect, acceptanceandnon-hegemoniccollaboration showing thatreligiouspluralismcanworkifthereis friend anddefeatthethreatbyworkingtogether, threatens SouthPark. They managetosavetheir (as Mecha-Streisand) kidnapsMohammadand in episodes save theday. Their teamworkisneededonceagain power theymanagetodefeatDavidBlaineand thing” (Powell,2011, p.17).Usingtheircombined makes itontotelevisionisacaricatureofthereal the intricatecomplexityofanyreligioussystem,what but weneedtotakeintoaccountthefactthat“despite consistent representationoftheirrespectivereligions, members initiallylooklikeacaricature,not alone: enterthereligiousdreamteam,whose Jesus triestostophim,buthecannotwinthebattle intent toapplyfortax-exemptionstatus,asreligion. performs miracle-likeacts;hehasafollowingandthe as anew, excitingandpowerfulmagician,who considers them“dangerous”.DavidBlaineispresented appear dealswiththedefeatofcults,asJesus non- that Christianandcanexplaintheplethoraof approach thatcanbeconsideredmorehumanist attitude issharedbyJesusthroughouttheseries,inan not toorganized religion”(Pinsky, 2007,p.296). This Morpheus ( Glinda theGood Witch ( following: GandalftheGrey ( ruled bytheCouncil,whosecomponenceis creations, andonefortheevilones. The firstoneis divided byawallintwosections,oneforthegood inhabited byallthecreationsofhumanmind.Itis Imaginationland, thelandofhumanimagination ( Thunder), LukeSkywalker ( Popeye theSailor The firstepisodeinwhichtheSuperBestFriends The CouncilofNineisthegoverningbody Member of The CouncilofNine canonical representations. The Matrix 200 and ), Jesus(SonofGod,Christianity), ), Zeus(GreekGodofSkyand 201 The Wonderful Wizard ofOz , whenBarbraStreisand Star Wars Lord oftheRings ), Popeye ), ), M f M f r r o

Wonder Woman (DC Universe), and Aslan the Lion interested in defending the castle where they o E E m m D (The Chronicles of Narnia). retreated. Jesus is not the focus of the story, his role is D

I I e e A A x Imaginationland is the only trilogy in South Park no different than that of Popeye or Morpheus. Just as x t t , ,

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r R R a and the Council of Nine appears in two out of the being part of the Super Best Friends reduces his a o E o E r r L L d three episodes. They lead the defence against the evil centrality and distributes relevance among all team d I I i i G n G creations, who have managed to break the wall with members, being part of the Council of Nine lowers the n a a I I r r O O y the aid of terrorists, and have to also manage the relevance of religion; in Imaginationland, everything y N N

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human threat: the Pentagon had been trying to find is imagined, everything is equal, and everything a a

n e n e x x d the secret passage to Imaginationland for years and, appeared the same way: it was created by human d t t

r r P P a because the boys had been there, they can now have imagination. However, as we see from Kyle’s speech a O O - - o o P P

access; but because the evil creations are loose and (it reflect the stance of the creators of the show), it is r r U U d d L i L pose a threat to humanity, they plan to send a nuclear not important if religion is created or not, what i n n A A a a r R r bomb and nuke imagination. When trying to make matters is its contribution to making the world a R y y

C sense of the situation, the lab technicians have a better place. C U U L

profound, albeit confused discussion about religion, Three major themes (representations of Jesus) L T T

fantasy, imagination and reality: emerged from the South Park-specific categories and U U R “Tech1: Imaginary things are things made up by from the qualitative and quantitative analysis: Jesus R E E : people, like Santa and Rudolph. / Tom: Yeah, and they as Greek God, Jesus as Palimpsest and Politically : detract from real things, like Jesus. / Tech1: Maybe Incorrect Jesus. Jesus is imaginary too. / Tom: Ooooh, you’d better not say that! You’ll go to hell! / Tech7: It’s possible that Jesus as Greek God hell is also imaginary. / Tech2: Uh so then, we’re about to nuke hell ... that’s a good thing, right? / Visually, Jesus is nothing like a Greek god; he is Personnel: Hell yeah, that’s a good thing, yeah. / far from physical perfection and from any apparel Tech1: What if heaven is imaginary? We’d be nuking that would improve his appearance. It is safe to say heaven. Tech3: Yeah, but it wouldn’t be real. / Tech2: that Jesus in South Park is consistent with the So it’d be all right. / Cartman: Look, maybe they’re all traditional European Christian imagery associated part of the same thing. Santa and Jesus and hell and with him: he is white, has long hair and a beard, wears Jurnalism ºi comunicare * leprechauns. Maybe they’re all real in the same way, a long white tunic, which he sometimes ties along the right? / Tom: Santa Claus and leprechauns are waist with a brown rope, and wears sandals. There is imaginary, but Jesus and hell are real! / Tech3: Well an element specific to his South Park image, the fact then, what about Buddha? Tom: Well of course he’s that he wears a red sash across his chest when he imaginary! / Tech3: Awww, see? Now you’re being is part of The Super Best Friends or The Council intolerant, Tom. / Tech7: Am I real?” of Nine. This perspective generates a valid interrogation So where is the “Greek” in Jesus? In the way he about the nature of religion and its connection to interacts with humanity, in this case the people of reality, but Kyle offers a quick an eloquent rebuttal: South Park. Greek gods, the likes of Zeus, Athena, “whether Jesus is real or not, he... he‘s had a bigger Apollo, Aphrodite and many others, were not distant, impact on the world than any of us have” and his unreachable gods: they mingled among humans,

point of view is valid for many other inhabitants of talked with them, had children, partied, had petty Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018 Imaginationland, no matter their origin: religious arguments, fought alongside or against humans, all experience or popular culture. without losing their divine status. Jesus is like a Greek Imaginationland Jesus is not South Park Jesus: god in that regard, but he bats for Team Christianity in he does not seem to recognize the boys and is only general and for Team South Park in particular. This

39 40 MEDIA,, RELIGION and POPULAR CULTURE: Jurnalism ºi comunicare * Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018 from extraordiinary to extra-ordiinary do nottakeintoconsideration theimplicationsorhe are severalinstancesinwhich hisaggressiveactions human lifeatdiscursiveand behaviourallevels,there element inSouthParkand Jesusdoescareabout casualties ofbattle. While thisisnotarecurring Greek godsreferstotheutterdisregardforhuman your father”feelingaboutit. Cartman’s father, thesituationdoeshavea“Zeusis had anaffair withCartman’s mother). While he isnot drink withfatherMaxiandismutewhenaskedifhe a dirtyslut and hasromanticescapades(inthe (Officer Barbrady’s paradein fighting onoppositesides. War, thatwoulddividedeitiesandseethem reminiscent ofmythologicalbattleslikethe Trojan multitude ofcharactersfightingonbothsidesis the battlebetweengoodandevilisuniversal, Imaginationland II battles evilfantasticimaginarycharactersinepisodes a parentdeityisalsopresentinGreekmythology. change ofthemillennium. This gainwiththehelpof decades andaskshisfatherforanappearanceatthe comeback afterhisdecliningpopularityinthelast Jesus realizesthathehasachancetomake definition ofmoralspractisedbyOlympians. the Christianvalues,butperfectlyinlinewith and manipulative,twotraitsincontradictionwith sins, boys. You knowwhotohelp.[…]Idiedforyour emotionally blackmailsthem:“Godiswatchingyou, boys tohelphimand,inorderconvincethem,he up SantaClauseand,whilefightinghim,heasksthe decides toregaindominionoverChristmasbybeating to depictingJesus. We mustalsopointoutthatJesus sync withthe interactions withthetownspeopleandperfectlyin South Park,butitisagoodpremiseforthefuture Greek godsneverownedahouselikeJesusdoesin and becameoneofthetownspeople.Granted, first seasonstartsisthatJesusneverleftafterthefight Park tobattleSantaClause,butwhatweseewhenthe Christmas: Jesusvs.Santa throughout theshow: representation isnotmarginal andcanbefound Oneofthemostdisturbingparallels withthe - Onalighternote,Jesustakespartincelebrations - Asamemberof The Council ofNine,Jesus - In - Inthesecondshortanimation, - boys. Don’t forget that.”Jesusisaggressive Are youthere, God?It’s me,Jesus episode, Jesusisinthetownbar, havinga South Park and Imaginationland III. fish-out-of-water approach , JesusdescendsonSouth Chickenlover Cartman’s momis The Spiritof ), drinks episode, While their deaths.Inanotherepisode, Neither Jesus,norSantaseemtoregisterorreact that werevisitingSantaClausand,asusual,Kenny. Santa, theirfightgeneratescollateralvictims:thekids does notseemtobeinterestedinthem:whenbattling he thestandardformoralityandgodlybehaviour. Park many otherhumans,anindicatorthatinthe Bible, buthealsobehaveslikemanyothergodsand does henotconsistentlybehavelikeJesusofthe Christian god-likebehaviourin just afew. Arachne intoaspideroutofrevenge,toname return tohimintheunderworldor Athena turning ugly toHadeskidnappinghisbride,trickingher the babyHephaistosoff amountainbecausehewas loss: from Titan eatinghischildrenandHerathrowing gratification andignoringactualhumansuffering or is fullofsuchattitudesandactions,valuingself- the actualinterview. Similarly, GreekMythology military iskillingthefarmersbehindhim,during focused ontheinterviewthanfactthat local farmersagainstthemilitary, butheismore for Applause Iraqi soldiersinordertosaveSantaClaus.In Jesus takespartinacovertmilitaryoperationandkills The creatorsthemselvesare awareofthispattern: episode toepisode,moulded tofitthenarrative. of GodinChristianity;all othertraitsvaryfrom elements: howhelooksand thefactthatheisSon the onlytwoconstantsare the visualandorigin canonical Jesus. After 21seasonsand31appearances, actions andmoralsdepictedintheshow appear, eitherbetweenepisodesorthe representation and,asepisodesamass,contradictions of God),buteachepisodebringsanewdimension (he looksthesame,heisrecognizedasSon elements thatpointtocontinuityofrepresentation Park of Jesusasmoralcompass.Butthisisnot phenomenon andspeaksvolumesaboutthereliability “What wouldJesusDo?”isapopularculture reference pointfordecisionmakingwhenindoubt: of view. Somuchsothatheisconsideredthe in history, bothmorallyandfromabehaviouralpoint Jesus movesoutsidethelinesoftraditional Jesus isoneofthemostconsistentreligiousfigures Jesus asPalimpsest ’s Jesus. When watchingtheshowthereare universe, hedoesnotholdthecentralspot,noris Jesus givesa TV interviewabouthelping South Park Red SleighDown . Notonly A Scause South South , M f M f r r o

“That’s where we kind of agree with some of the version of the Justice League from the DC Universe o E E m m D people who’ve criticized our show. […] Because it (Super Best Friends – S05E03); the Mr. Hankey’s D

I I e e A A x really is open season on Jesus. We can do whatever Christmas Classics episode (S03E15) borrows x t t , ,

r

r R R a we want to Jesus, and we have. We’ve had him say heavily from the Christmas specials format; the Are a o E o E r r L L d bad words. We’ve had him shoot a gun. We’ve had You There God? It’s Me, Jesus episode (S03E16) is a d I I i i G n G him kill people.” (Parker & Stone, 2006) South Park reinterpretation of the book Are You There n a a I I r r O O y So a third constant appears: the lack of continuity God? It’s Me, Margaret; the fight between Satan and y N N

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in how Jesus is presented in each episode; what he Jesus follows the specific steps of boxing matches a a

n e n e x x d does and what he says is coherent within the (Damien – S01E10); Red Sleigh Down (S06E17) d t t

r r P P a episode, but when compared to his status of Son of incorporated elements from the movie Black Hawk a O O - - o o P P

God or with his previous actions, we have multiple Down; Fantastic Easter Special (S11E05) is the r r U U d d L i L representations, previously analysed in this paper: parody of the Dan Brown books on religious i n n A A a a r R r (1) the Son of God who is a TV personality, (2) the conspiracies; Christian rock music is satirized in R y y

C Son of God who is a soldier in the US Army or who Christian Rock Hard (S07E09). With the exception of C U U L

fights and kills terrorists, (3) the Son of God who the Super Best Friends reappearing in two more L T T

leads a coalition of religious figures in a Justice episodes and the resurrection of Jesus after his death U U R League scenario, (4) the Son of God who drinks, uses in Iraq and the Vatican, all other popular culture R E E : performance enhancing drugs and is addicted to products do not reappear and are not referenced again : internet porn or (5) the Son of God who represents in other episodes. religion in a council that governs the land of human The palimpsest approach is the reason why the imagination. South Park-specific categories have a dual perspec - There is no religious representation that can tive on how Jesus is represented: as Son of God explain this type of evolution, but defining Jesus of (constant) and another identity (variable). Therefore, South Park is not an endeavour that takes place solely we will see Jesus, in consecutive chronological order: in the realm of religion. However, religion and fight a snowman and Santa Clause, host his TV show, popular culture, through the lens of hypertextuality Jesus and Pals, fight Satan in a boxing match for (Genette, 1997, p. 5), offer the right key for inter - dominance over humankind, have drinks with father pretation and the coherent angle from which to look at Maxi in the local tavern, return to hosting his show, Jurnalism ºi comunicare * and understand this new representation: Jesus is a sing a duet with Santa, join the US army, shut palimpsest. Each episode projects an identity onto down Cartman’s church, battle David Blaine and Jesus and, before the next episode or the next Blaintologists, perform miracles in a church, save narrative arc, the creators of the show erase this layer, Santa from the Iraqis and get killed by them, appear in leaving two constants in place (appearance and a Mel Gibson Hollywood movie, appear in an origin), joined, sometimes, by small residual elements Al-Qaeda propaganda movie, defend the land of of the episode-specific identity. When the new human imagination, lead a team of religious figures episode ends, the process is repeated and so Jesus acting as superheroes, bully a movie producer, fall in of South Park becomes a palimpsest of cultural and disgrace after people find out he used performance religious representations. enhancing drugs during the crucifixion. One of the popular culture elements that get This list deviates from canonical religion in

erased, movies and TV show formats, arrive in general and Christianity in particular, but is informed Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018 various episodes through hypertextuality, which is not by the TV tradition of animated series, who used the only old text within a new text, but refers to the absurd and the rejection of norm: in The Ren and adaptation of the original text in order to be better Stimpy Show a reboot of an element could take place integrated into its new structure. South Park does this from one scene to another, not even from an episode brilliantly and in the Jesus episodes we see excellent to another: Ren and Stimpy would be shown talking, examples of integration through the construction of but in the next frame they would carry on the same parallel narratives: the Jesus and Pals show briefly conversation, but in a completely different location. transforms into a version of The Jerry Springer Show In a certain way, the representation of Jesus as (The Mexican Staring Frog of Southern Sri Lanka – palimpsest overlaps with “the Sensational Jesus”, one S02E06); the Super Best Friends are a religious of the main representations in modern English 41 42 MEDIA,, RELIGION and POPULAR CULTURE: Jurnalism ºi comunicare * Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018 from extraordiinary to extra-ordiinary are politicallyincorrectoroffensive. three ways: how wewouldexpecthimto behaveandhedoesitin deviates fromcurrentdaily Christianpractice,from more thananyreligiousfigure.ButthisiswhereJesus creators: hehasbeenatthereceivingendprobably political correctnesspracticedintheshowby South Park ones). each frequency (Mormons,Scientologyandatheists religions) farmorethanatothersintermsof poke funatChristianityandJudaism(theirrespective however, adifference ParkerandStone make:they beliefs throughsometimessavagesatire. There is, envelope; upuntilandincludingthe21 show certainlyexploreshowfaritcanpushthe is certainlyaprolificterrainforcontroversyandthe Religion need toguaranteeit.”(Parker&Stone, 2006) speech wasoffensive toanybody, thenyouwouldn’t offend iswhywehaveaFirst Amendment. Ifno offended. The righttobeoffended andtherightto living intheworldtodayisyou’regoingtohavebe approach stemsfromthecreatorsofshow:“Part perspectives andmaybeevenstartdialogue. This everyone toevaluatetheirposition,exploreother offend bothorallthepartiesinvolved,thusforcing rather revelsinpresentingthemwaysthatwould and doesnotshyawayfromcontroversialissue,but modern dayChristianity. construct socialsatireinregardtovariousaspectsof in theshowisnottonegatehimasSonofGod,but Christianity. The objectiveforthetreatmentofJesus his for theoriginofJesus, religious institutionsortopresentalternativerealities canonical image,topresenthimasaninventionofthe nalist representationsofJesusseektostripawaythe (Higton, 2003,pg.240-244);butwhilethesensatio - Proselityzing Jesus”and“theDevotional popular culture,alongside“theRadicalJesus”, Except thatinstance, the imageofMohammedinoneepisodes. only changetheymadeunderpressurewastocensor .Jesusdoesnotgetoffended easilywhenothers 1. As therepresentativefigureofhisreligionin South Park Politically Incorrect Jesus divine natureandtheclaimtoacentralrolein got theirepisode,tonamethemostmemorable , Jesusisnostrangertotheapproach considers thatanytopicisfairgame South Park South Park has madefunofall fully recognizes st season, the (S01E06 – Son ofGod,brainiac,now, doyouhaveaquestion?” aggressive, approach:“Well, maybebecauseI’mthe him stupid,butoptsforadifferent, albeitpassive- knew where hewasfrom,Jesusisclosetocalling he status andpowersastheSonofGod: ones mostofthetime,particularlyinrelationtohis sometimes findpoliticallyincorrectremarks,subtle level headedandleastoffensive. However, we from thehighschoolcafeteria,areprobablymost adults inSouthPark,JesusandChef,theblackcook soft voiceandisessentiallyagoodperson;outofthe behaviour. The SonofGodhasacalmdemeanour, a Cartman, theembodimentofpoliticallyincorrect blasphemous orgoingagainstChristianvalues. subversive behaviourthatwouldbeconsidered truc tive anddestructivepoliticalcorrectness. “You’re alla bunch ofJudases!”(S01E10– townspeople oftreasonintheworstwayheknow: no onebetthathewouldwinandaccusesthe fight?” (S01E10– expletive: “... What thehelldoyoumeanifIwin questions hisdistrustanddoessobyusingan normal ifhewinsthefightagainstSatan,Jesus (S16E05 – “Oh, whatareyougonnado?cwy(sic!)now?” producer bythreateninghimwithhell,healsoasks: Fat Camp could do.Formoney. He’s aprostitute.”(S04E15 – […] BecauseKennyisonly doing thingsthatanybody for money:“Ican’t sayI approve ofthis,mychildren. disapproves ofKennyperforming Jackass-styleacts The MexicanStaring Frog ofSouthernSriLanka pain andsuffering yourliehascaused.”(S02E06– people?! Lookaroundyou,Stanley. Lookatallthe and gaspathim it: “Shutthefuckup!”– and Stan whathereallythinks,withoutsugar-coating TV show, Jesus losescontrolandtellstheaudience accusation forJesus. the show, but,symbolicallyspeaking,thisistheworst Granted, itisdemurecomparedtootherlanguagein Afteracalleronthe TV showissurprisedthat - To besure,Jesusshouldnotcomparedto Hedoesnotshyawayfromoccasional 3. Heunderstandsthedifference betweencons - 2. Jesusisupsetthat,beforethefightagainstSatan, - WhenKyleaskshimtotransformKennyback - Heisdirectanddoesnotmince words whenhe - Whenthingsgetoutofcontrolon thesetofhis - ) Death Butterballs ). Similarly, whenhebulliesamovie “Jesus,whatiswrongwithyou – Damien ) The audiencemembersstop ) Damien ) ). M f M f r r o

- When punishing Cartman (S04E10 – Probably), o E E m m D he informs the boy that he will send him somewhere D

I I e e A A x to think about his sins. When the latter asks if he is Conclusion x t t , ,

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r R R a going to hell, Jesus answers: “No. Worse!” and sends a o E o E r r L L d Cartman to Mexico. Religion is a challenging field to study, and when d I I i i G n G - The most politically incorrect representation of correlating it with popular culture, the challenge is n a a I I r r O O y Jesus comes in the Cartoon Wars II episode (S10E04), even greater. The reverse also applies. Throw in South y N N

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when Jesus defecates on then-president George W. Park as case study and religious anarchy is a a

n e n e x x d Bush and on the American Flag (this is the infamous guaranteed. How does Jesus, the humble religious d t t

r r P P a Mohammed episode) in a propaganda Al-Qaeda figure of Christianity, fit into this potential mine field? a O O - - o o P P

movie, created as retaliation for the depiction of Surprisingly well; simply put: he is right at home in r r U U d d L i L Mohammed in a Family Guy episode. Of course, it is South Park. i n n A A a a r R r not Jesus from South Park (the town), but it is the Over the last two decades animated shows like The R y y

C representation of Jesus from South Park (the series): Simpsons, Futurama, South Park, King of the Hill or C U U L

“Look at me! I’m Jesus! Would you like me to crap on Family Guy entered the interest horizon of researchers L T T

you, Mr. Bush? [craps on Bush. More Americans and generated valuable literature, the “… and U U R walk in and start crapping]”. By using this dual Philosophy” being a standout in terms of quality R E E : representation, Parker and Stone save the good and commercial success. In recent years religion was : natured, respectful Jesus from falling victim to the picked up as a prolific perspective for analysis. This is crude humour of the show, while simultaneously particularly relevant for South Park, whose use of transforming him into the most offensive, politically religion in its social and cultural satire has been a incorrect religious figure in the show. source of controversy since it was first aired. - When discussing with Buddha about vices, the Jesus is a reference in almost every analysis of dialogue is openly offensive and politically incorrect, South Park that takes into consideration religion. reminiscent of the crude dialogue the four boys The perspectives are interesting, but the focus is usually have. Coincidentally, this type of language is always on religion, while religious figures or used only when discussing vices: “Jesus: Buddha, will ensembles are expedited in a paragraph or page. you lay off that stuff already?! It’s gettin’ to be a Although we do not claim to have exhausted all Jurnalism ºi comunicare * problem. / Buddha: Ohhh, and you’re one to talk! resources, after extensive research the longest With all your Internet porn! / Jesus: Watching porn material we found on Jesus had less than three pages. isn’t like doing coke, fag!” (S14E06 – 201) In the The paper will contribute to filling this void and is same episode he repeatedly pronounces the name of relevant to any scholar in the field of cultural studies Sea-man, one of The Super Best Friends, like or religious studies interested in the topic. “semen”, much to the amusement of everyone, to the The papers tries to offer a comprehensive analysis chagrin of his colleague and despite his pleas to stop; of the representations of Jesus in the South Park taking into consideration how long it lasted, this can universe. There are other representations of religion in be filed under bullying, a form of politically incorrect the show, like the Catholic Church, priests, various behaviour. The 201 episode is the coming of age in religions/cults, popular religious products, but our politically incorrect behaviour for Jesus; at the focus was solely on Jesus and other topics were

episode, he gives a radical solution: “That’s right. addressed only if they were relevant to our core Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018 Don’t you see, gingers? If you don’t want to be made selection of episodes containing appearances of Jesus. fun of anymore, all you need are guns and bombs to Using content analysis on this selection, we generated get people to stop.” six South Park -specific categories (Son of God, one Perhaps the most important element in this of the townspeople; Host of Jesus and Pals; Son of representation of Jesus is his availability to go through God, saviour/fighter; Son of God, unrelated to South various experiences that allow Parker and Stone to Park; Leader of The Super Best Friends; Member of project onto him their politically incorrect approach. The Council of Nine) and 3 major themes (Jesus as Therefore, the politically incorrect component lies Greek God, Jesus as Palimpsest and Politically not so much in the intent of the character, but in its Incorrect Jesus) that define the way Jesus is enabling configuration. represented throughout the series. 43 44 MEDIA,, RELIGION and POPULAR CULTURE: Jurnalism ºi comunicare * Anul XIII, nr. 1, 2018 from extraordiinary to extra-ordiinary analysis canrestart. at anytime,itislongoverdue,andthatpointthe how therepresentationsareconsumedbypublic. and/or fandomorareceptionstudyinordertoanalyse extension ofthecurrentanalysisintomerchandising Jesus inotheranimatedadult-orientedshows,the results fromthisresearchandtherepresentationsof figures in other analysis:therepresentationsofreligious representations ofJesusthroughouttheshow. topic. Eachofthesethreeelementsinfluencesthe will undoubtedlybeabletoconstructsatireonthat psychological abuseandcensorship,then behaviour rangingfromphysicalaggressionto leaves roomforthat;however, ifitgeneratesnegative impact onthelifeofthosewhoprofessit,show the abilitygenerategood:ifreligionhasaconstructive being justadecentperson. The thirdonedealswith or eventheself-congratulatorypatonbackfor hypocritical orexploitivepositionstowardsanissue being offensive actuallyexploreuncomfortabletruths, humility: manyepisodesthatmightbemarkedfor one referstothesearchfortruth,authenticityand is nottheonlyconstructthatdoesthat. The second multiple representationsofJesusin Jewish traditions. This combinationinformsthe pluralism, sprinkledwithinheritedChristianand combination ofagnosticism,humanismandreligious we cometotheconclusionthattheirpositionisa critique; butwhenwegofurtheralongintheanalysis, to be,ataglance,oneofrejectionandindiscriminate on religioningeneralandJesusparticularseems this tobenotexactlytrue.ParkerandStone’s position Jesus appallingly. Throughout theanalysis,wefound treating religionbadlyand,byextension,representing The showhasbeenaccusednumeroustimesof of theirpersonalsetreligiousvaluesandbeliefs. viewers, buttoforcecriticalthinkingandquestioning not toreinforcetraditionalrepresentationsamongthe with theperspectivesofitscreators. The objectiveis of theBible,butratheracaricaturethatisenriched Ultimate South ParkandPhilosophy: Respect My l’Ancien Régime Of course, The papercanbecomeaspringboardforvarious References Jesus of Arp, R.,&Decker, K.S.(Eds.). (2013). Ariès, P. (1975). South Park, South Park South Park (2éme ed.).Paris:Seuil. 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