Religion in The Simpsons - The Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism

The Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism

The Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism (a cross between Presbyterianism and Lutheranism) is the fictional Protestant Christian denomination that Rev. Lovejoy preaches at the First Church of Springfield. The church is the town's main place of worship, which most Springfielders attend, though it is not the only church in Springfield (AME, Catholic and Episcopal churches also exist). The name is a parody of Protestant reformed churches branching off into other denominations and movements.

Lovejoy is a member of the clergy of Presbylutheranism, founded by Martin Presbyluther when he left his Three Suggestions under the Pope's windshield wiper. The denomination, headquartered in Michigan City, Indiana, is led by "His Holiness, the Parson", who is also the elected head of the National Congress of Deacons. The Schism of Lourdes in 1573 was over the Presbylutherans' right to attend church with wet hair. That right has since been abolished. The church is at odds with Catholicism (even though they stopped feuding with each other). Rev. Lovejoy has a rivalry with a local Episcopal church, and he engages in a brawl with a Catholic priest after an exchange of hostilities. Lovejoy dislikes Unitarians. When he offers the Simpson children a bowl of Unitarian ice cream at a church social function and Lisa points out that it is empty, Lovejoy indicates that is the point.

Smaller, regional religions, for instance those of the south Pacific, are seen as inferior, and missionary activity is employed to ridicule away the beliefs of aboriginal peoples. The church also has enemies on a social level, including monogamous homosexuals and stem cell research. However, the Presbylutherans have members of varying levels of religiosity and devotion, and are generally not at odds with modernism. It could be seen as a centrist Mainline Protestant church.