Book Review: The Gospel According To Disney By Mark Pinsky – Revealing Religious Symbolism In Disney’s Canon

Disney movies have symbolism in them, much of which relates to Christian themes, but they also reflect a kind of universal morality. They always have a positive message of hope, hard work, and trust in a higher power.

The Gospel According To Disney by Mark Pinsky is an exploration of these themes. His other book, The Gospel According to The Simpsons, explores similar themes scattered throughout the long-running TV-series. In that book, the tagline is that it’s not what you think, because many people have thought of the Simpsons as not necessarily a force for good. However, the themes and symbolism explored throughout the series show that its message is quite positive.

Conversely, the tagline for the Disney book is that it is what you think, but here’s the why and how. While most viewers of Disney movies know that they extol the virtues of hard work, faith in a higher power, trust, and kindness, some will be pleased to learn that these messages are deeply embedded in the movies. While the original films, made during Walt’s lifetime and before the Will Eisner years, have much less obviously Christian symbolism, during the Eisner and Katzenberg years, the philosophy changed somewhat. Far from alienating viewers, they sought to include many philosophies and multicultural spirituality woven through their films.

For instance, during these years, they explored Confucianism (Mulan), animism and shamanism (Pocahontas, Brother Bear, and Moana), and Voodoo (Princess and the Frog). Overall, they have a multicultural view of reality, with an understanding that the basic principles of ethics and morality are unchanging, regardless of what specific religion one practices.

In the book, Mark discusses the American Way of Faith, a phrase coined by someone else but applicable to the Disney canon nonetheless. The American Way Of Faith is the belief that belief in God, regardless of the specific faith, is necessary for someone to be a good and moral person. This contention is held by over half of survey respondents at the time in the early 2000s, and it makes sense.

Specific theology becomes unimportant, and this is also at the core of diversity and inclusion principles. The feeling that others are deserving of our respect regardless of their background seems necessary to the proper functioning of a democratic republic and of society in general. It is important that members of a society have respect for one another, regardless of their specific political or religious leanings.

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As far as Disney as a whole, the author concludes that it has been a force for good in our culture. It is quite helpful to have additional teachers, outside of one’s parents, showing young people, as well as older adults, the proper way to live and behave in society. Respect for others, regardless of cultural or social background, is very necessary.

Most of the symbolism in Disney movies is not obvious, and can be hidden. For example, in Frozen (discussed separately from this book here), the protagonist and villain Elsa is pursued by her sister, Anna, who never gives up on helping her. No matter what happens, she continues to try to save her sister, and ultimately succeeds. This can be seen as the pursuit of the Christian by Jesus, who Christians believe never gives up on them no matter how far they have strayed (as seen, for example, in the story of the Prodigal Son).

The author talks extensively in the book and articles about Judeo-Christian values, and their representations in the Disney films. Most of the core values explored are common to the major world religions, particularly Christianity and Judaism. These involve a specific morality and constant belief in God as the redeemer, of the value of hard work and stick-to-it-iveness, and of the importance of kindness and love in all situations. The most powerful healer in most relationships, especially as Disney shows it, is love. True love is the most powerful thing in the world (paraphrased from Enchanted), and this is given expression in all of the Disney movies. Kindness is the greatest healer.

Another commonality among Disney’s movies is demonstrating morality. Good always triumphs over evil, no matter how dark the circumstances may be. While this is not always reflected in real life, the movies show a deep understanding of this timeless principle. Even though sometimes things may not work out the way we wish or intend, faith and trust are a core value. There is an understanding that real life can be messy, but it is always best to focus on the good. With a positive outlook and hard work, Disney shows that anything is possible.

It should be noted that Walt Disney himself said that he did not make his movies primarily for children, so adults who enjoy the movies can be encouraged to delight in them by Walt Disney’s own words, “I do not make films primarily for children. I make them for the child in all of us, whether we be six or sixty.”

All told, readers who already enjoy the Disney movies and who like learning about the symbolism they may not have noticed will very much enjoy this book. Those who were concerned that Disney movies may not be right for their kids will learn much about the intentions behind the movies, and may come to understand that they will benefit their children and themselves. It is always good to have positive role models and positive influences in life.

Banner Image: Gospel According To Disney book cover. Image Credit – Mark Pinsky

Hannah Moller