The day is here when students can learn about religion through the animated eyes of Bart, Lisa, Marge and Homer from television’s award-winning cartoon, “The Simpsons.”

The two-credit course, “Animated Philosophy and Religion,” offered this winter at Siena Heights University in Adrian, relates philosophical and religious aspects to themes and ethics explored in “The Simpsons.”

“We know a lot about the show, which makes it easier to relate themes and ethics to the characters,” said Kimberly Blessing, assistant professor of religious studies.

“For example, during one episode, Lisa is thinking about converting to Buddhism. During class, we’d have a discussion about Christianity and Buddhism and how it relates to philosophy and religion.”

The class is a pilot course that will be assessed and evaluated at the end of the semester.

“The 12 or 13 students we have are very enthusiastic and optimistic,” she said. “It’s a good way for them to take a philosophy or religion course they wouldn’t normally take.”

The class focuses on two books, “The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D’oh! of Homer,” by William Irwin, and “The Gospel According to The Simpsons: The Spiritual Life of the Most Animated Family,” by Mark I. Pinsky of the Orlando Sentinel.

Pinsky said one of the reasons “The Simpsons” is becoming popular in the classroom is unlike other television programming, it explores the idea of religion and philosophy.

“While many commercial television shows steer away from religion for fear of offending someone, the producers of ‘The Simpsons’ said ‘Hey, here’s an aspect of life that hasn’t been done to death by other sitcoms,’” he said. “The Simpsons say grace at dinner, go to church every Sunday and pray and refer to the Bible.

“They accurately represent the people on the other side of the TV screen more than any other show.”

Some students at MSU say they would take a similar course here if it were offered.

“I think it would be easier to learn about religion that way,” civil engineering junior Matt Skylis said. “It coincides with what people like. I’d have a blast taking it.”

Elementary education sophomore Jacqueline Boehm owns “The Simpsons” Monopoly game and a variety of “Simpsons” posters.

“I think within each episode there’s a life lesson,” Boehm said. “It really represents the struggles regular people have to go through. I would definitely take the course because ‘The Simpsons’ is very much a part of our society and I’m always relating it to life somehow.”