London, England - A Church of England-backed book suggests youth workers should try to make religion relevant to children by showing them episodes of cartoon show "The Simpsons", an official said Monday.
The series, whose characters include beer-swilling father Homer and tearaway son Bart, has previously been hailed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, as "generally on the side of the angels and on the side of sense".
Now a new book -- "Mixing It Up With The Simpsons" -- suggests that it could offer helpful insights into theological issues such as the battle between good and evil.
The volume, being sent to youth advisors around the country next week, suggests children could be challenged to resist temptation by adults laying out a plate of doughnuts -- Homer's favourite food -- with a "do not touch" sign.
It also compares Bart's impatience to meet his hero, Krusty the Clown, with the Christians' wait for the second coming of Christ.
A Church of England spokesman said: "Some of the source material might seem a little bit unusual, but the book suggests biblical passages and group activities which we believe will help see the cartoon from the Christian perspective."
Williams was approached to guest star in "The Simpsons" in 2004 but has not appeared on the show.
The number of people under the age of 16 attending worship in the Church of England on a Sunday fell from 180,000 in 2000 to 157,000 in 2005.