Your comments on our story that Ned Flanders is being adopted as an icon by Christians.

Ned has to be the most famous religious person in the world today. Sure makes teaching R.E. easier being able to point out to children that they know at least one person who is religious i.e. Ned and that even Bart goes to Church!
D Attwell, UK

Well, the former head of Religious Education from my secondary school had a very similer appearance to Ned Flanders, at a point where I would mistakingly call him Ned Flanders.
Deryck Cooke, UK

Part of the backstory in the Simpsons is that Ned Flanders was brought up by ultra-liberal '60s beatniks, ended up a dangerous delinquent, and had to be treated through a violent "spanking therapy" which repressed his emotions. Flanders is a model of repression, which is why he envies Homer as much as Homer envies him.
John L, England

I am worried by the comments made by Gordon and Steve Goddard about the Homers of this world being "ignorant". It is this insulting stereotyping which renders Christianity an anachronism in the modern world. Parodying Ned Flanders, while I'm sure vaguely amusing for those cultish Greenbelt attendees and a fantastic pro-Christian PR stunt, is not the answer for the Christian faith. They need to integrate more with those open minded Lisas, and even Homers, of this world.
Steve Wilcockson, UK

As an atheist I find something nicely ironic about an organised religion adopting a fictional character as a role-model
Russell K Bulmer, UK

Jonathan Edwards is the true Christian hero, holds all four major tripe jump titles, not afraid to voice his opinion and a really nice guy without a hint of geekiness. Now there's a role model.
Mark, UK

I don't think that Homer is aspiring to be Ned at all. He goes to church because he has to and often falls asleep dribbling! The Flanders are the 'perfect' American dream family but do people really want to live like that? I'd prefer to live the Simpsons life any day. I think people are missing the irony of the Flanders family.
Tania, UK

The Simpsons is full of stereotypes and Ned Flanders is just another one - happy-clappy Christian, eyes glazed over with the love of Jesus. He's no more a role model for Christians than Krusty is for clowns. Can we not just watch the show, laugh, and then get on with our lives?
Max Wurr, UK

I actually have to disagree with Graeme. Ned's faith is obvious but it's not contrived for the benefit of his neighbours.
Dan, US

The Simpsons is a cartoon, it may delve into social comment on a very clever and often subtle way, so clever that kids and adults can enjoy it for totally different reasons, but it is still a cartoon, and unless you're going to a fancy dress party, dressing up and acting like Ned Flanders or any other character is just sad.
Jamie, England

As Homer Simpson himself once put it during a brief reconciliation: "If everyone here were more like Ned Flanders, there'd be no need for heaven; we'd already be there".
Owain, Wales

In Hurricane Neddy, we see that Ned Flanders has used religion to suppresss violent rage issues, caused by his be-bop counter-culture parents slack parenting, but upon Flanders' departure from the psychatrists, Homer sums up our love for the guy: "Ned, you so Cray-zee!" Just gotta love those wacky Christians...
Steve, Lincoln

Ned embodies stupid blind faith. As he said in a recent episode. 'What did I do wrong Lord? I did everything it tells us in the bible, even the stuff that contradicts itself'. Ned's a good bloke it's just a pity he has to believe in all that stupid religious mumbo jumbo.
Paul Owen, UK

I think that Christians can learn a lot from Ned. Yes, he has tremendous, rock solid faith, but an aggressive evangelical type he isn't. Sure, when the world attacks his beliefs he attacks back with love, but he never puts down anyone elses beliefs. With the rise of aggresive evangelical "I'm right and you're wrong" Christianity in our society, I wonder just how much we Christians have really learned from Ned.
Nick, US

Andy C has missed the point. With secularism rife in the west Ned - like any Christian - has gone against the flow, after all questioning the ways of the world is why people seek out the spiritual dimension. Lisa? I'm afraid all she embodies is intillectual smugness, far more holier-than-thou than Ned!
Jonathan, Scotland

Ned "puts the fun in fundamentalist dogma."
Ainsley, US

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