"Trailer Park Boys" - Holy Trinity?

[dr. what]

They are three, but they are as one boys.....

No longer content to limit themselves to ancient Biblical texts, modern-day religion scholars are probing the seemingly secular world of pop culture and finding God in the strangest places.

One Canadian researcher has found the Holy Trinity in Ricky, Julian and Bubbles of Trailer Park Boys and documented how Ricky is a Christ figure who echoes the suffering servant from Isaiah.

Another academic examines the lyrics of industrial rockers Nine Inch Nails to chronicle how a spiritual quest embedded in the seemingly anti-Christian music resonates with lament psalms.

The research, presented at a meeting of the Canadian Society for the Study of Religion, fits into increasing attempts by scholars to ascribe some religious meaning to matters previously considered to be without much moral underpinning.

"Television has become our new church and its players our new prophets," declares Arlene Stevens, a graduate student in religious studies at the University of Saskatchewan, who is presenting her findings on religiosity in Trailer Park Boys today.

She admits the popular TV show seems like "the last place on Earth" to find theological significance: "At first glance, it is merely a crude satire of life in a trailer park, with foul-mouthed and socially undesirable characters ... Trailer Park Boys is steeped in extremely foul language, drug use, alcohol, cheap porno flicks, bottle-throwing kids and the promise of one gunfight per season."

She argues that its overriding moral message makes it ideal Sunday viewing for the non-churchgoing populace: "Ricky reminds Sunday viewers that there is an underclass in Canadian society who, apparently, are lower than the rest of us ... We are reminded that this marginalized group might just possess a stronger sense of familial love and devotion, a faith in something better that the rest of society has forgotten. Trailer Park Boys represents a clash of two worlds -- the ways of the world versus the ways of the faithful servant (Ricky.)"

Ricky, the stooge-like character known for his dope-growing and his eternal screw-ups, is the Christ-like figure in Ms. Stevens' Holy Trinity.

She says his character shares Jesus's faith in people, his caring for others rather than himself and faith that things will work out. His goal in life is to love his family, be good to his friends and love life, while superficially he is vulgar, uneducated and a criminal.

"Biblically, the suffering servant is the mysterious figure who bears humanity's transgressions (Isaiah 53:5), although he is considered lowly, marginalized and despised by the world," Ms. Stevens says in her paper, "The Gospel According to Ricky, Biblical Values in the Trailer Park Boys."

Bubbles, the Coke-bottle-glasses-wearing resident of the Sunnyvale trailer park, is the Holy Spirit in this trinity for his redeeming qualities: "He will help, listen and guide; care for those who cannot care for themselves."

Julian, with a highball glass ever in hand, is the ruler of the trailer park and the father figure of this trinity: "God the Father as seen in the New Testament and in the Hebrew Bible, things are black and white to him. He is understanding, directional, kind, and understands the needs of the community," she says.

"Julian has a set guideline of morals and ethics that need to be followed. Much like the Hebrew Bible Yahweh, the people need to believe in him or else."

Bob Hartman, whose studies also focus on pop culture, says he examines the music of Nine Inch Nails as a way of pushing the narrowly confined limits for seeking God's truth.

He sees a lot of similarities between Trent Reznor's lyrics and classic Biblical laments such as Psalm 88 and Job's dialogues with Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar.

The Biblical passages resonant as desperate, often raw lamentations for help are echoed in lyrics such as: "There is no God up in the sky tonight/No sign of heaven anywhere in sight/All that was true is left behind/Once I could see, now I am blind;" and "Do you know how far this has gone?/Just how damaged have I become?/When I think I can overcome/It runs even deeper/Everything that matters is gone."

Rather than being dismissed by the faithful as anti-Christian or even satanic, Mr. Hartman, who studies at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, N.Y. and is presenting his findings today, says these songs should be considered the work of "a contemporary writer of laments, a modern-day psalmist."

aowens@nationalpost.com

THE NEW TRINITY

Bubbles / Holy Spirit

Bubbles will help, listen and guide. He cares for others and cares for those who cannot care for themselves.

Ricky / Jesus

Ricky has faith in people, is linked to children, is caring, does not care for his own well- being, has faith that things will work out.

Julian / God

Father figure, God the Father as seen in the New Testament and in the Hebrew Bible. He'll guide you as best He can, though He is never going to give you a direct answer. People need to believe in Him or else.

[Aaron]

I watch Trailer Park Boys every night and I just don't see it.

[Duckie]

Apparantly the Scripture has run out of ways to be misinterpreted so Theologicians are now probing non-scripture areas for anything they can rationalize.

Satan is a Jesus figure, IMO. He tries to bring thought and knowledge to the world, a Promethian figure of sacrifice, and is tormented by God and finally vanquished. Yet some day he shall rise again for the last battle. Remember- Satan Fell For Our Minds, just as Jesus Died For Our Sins.

That totally fits, actually. I should start a religion, because that took me like no time at all to think of- about 2 seconds. I just need some gold tablets and a hat to stare into.

[Nieztchean Uber-Amoeba]

So, what? Are Trevor and Corey the disciples? Dicking around and trying to do whatever their gods command them to do?

And this means Conky would be the devil. Yes... He does obscue the Holy Spirit from the hearts of men. And Lucy becomes Mary once she gets her new tits. And Mr. Lehe is... I dunno, Judas.

But what about J to tha ROC?

[Aaron]

So, what? Are Trevor and Corey the disciples? Dicking around and trying to do whatever their gods command them to do?

And this means Conky would be the devil. Yes... He does obscue the Holy Spirit from the hearts of men. And Lucy becomes Mary once she gets her new tits. And Mr. Lehe is... I dunno, Judas.

But what about J to tha ROC?

I don't know, what does the bible say about a white guy that ganks groceries?

[Molyneux]

This topic has taught me that if I ever start a band, I will require a disclaimer before every album that consists entirely of me saying "I hate religion. There is no God. Any Jesus symbolism you think you see is nothing more than the deranged product of your sick and twisted little mind."