WHERE THE SACRED MEETS THE PROFANE: RELIGION IN THE COMIC PAGES.

There is nothing comedic or funny about religion per se, nor is it supposed to be laughable or entertaining. Often, however, the opposite is demonstrated. The nature of this paradox is addressed through an analysis of syndicated comic strips containing religious content. The comics studied were published in the Los Angeles Times between 1979 and 1987. They were classified according to religious themes which produced seven major categories i.e., Ministering Religion, Death and the Afterlife, Religion and the World of Adults, Religion and the World of Children, Prayer, Deity and Biblical Texts and Contexts. Within the framework of communications theory these categories were analyzed for their meaning and significance for religion in modern society. Conclusions are drawn suggesting that newspaper comics reflect idealized religious traditions that seem to have continuing importance today but they also mirror the "modern" circumstances facing religion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]