In "The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed," the latest episode of the long-running Fox sitcom, which aired Sunday, The Simpsons set off to Israel on a church mission. They go at the urging of neighbor and devout Christian Ned Flanders, who thought a dose of the Holy Land would bring Homer much-needed salvation.Indeed. Background here.
No surprise, this plan didn't go well.
Among the family's foibles and offenses, Homer became delusional and believed he was the "chosen one," destined to bring Muslims, Jews and Christians together. Diagnosed with "Jerusalem syndrome," he called himself the "Messiah" and proposed the new faith of "Chrismujews," a religion that would praise both peace and chicken.
This storyline, while certainly creative and twisted in the classic Simpsons way, is rooted in something real.
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Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Homer Simpson has Jerusalem Syndrome
HOMER SIMPSON has Jerusalem Syndrome: