The allegory of the cave
There comes a time when an individual needs to challenge his or her belief in order to step outside of the “cave”. Lisa Simpson from the TV series “The Simpsons” is a great example of such individual.
Lisa is a strong-minded Christian girl who attends her community church along with the majority of the town. In the episode “She of Little Faith”, a series of incidents allows Mr. Burn to corrupt the church, turning it into an advertisement site for his cooperation sponsors. Lisa feels cheated by her community since everyone is blinded by Mr. Burns’ evil act and fails to see the true meaning of a church. Lisa can no longer respect her church because it has been converted into everything she believes is evil. She rejects the church, only finding herself in disparagement of her family and community. Having given up the religion she was familiar with since birth, Lisa finds it difficult to face her new reality. She knows that escaping the church was essential in order to remain true to herself, but now that she is out of the “cave”, she finds herself lost because the emptiness of faith. Lisa wonders lost and discovers a Buddhist temple where she is then introduced to Buddhism by Lenny and Carlo. Lisa regains her vision for life and is enlightened by this new religion. Lisa happily accepts the religion as her own, since she feels that truth and reality could finally be expressed by this new faith. After numerous confrontations with her disapproving family, Lisa is finally able to enjoy the path she chooses.
In conclusion, Lisa is able to liberate herself from the “darkness” of the corrupted church, and with some struggles and efforts, finds a happy life outside of the “cave”.
the fire within ice Community Member 
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