Some people see Ned Flanders as just another character who lives in the animated world of Springfield; yet there is in his life that characteristic of unconditional love that accurately describes Christianity. Although most of the other characters have little or no admiration for him, Ned Flanders is actually Homer's rival; Yet Ned's fundamental role in the sitcom is to be the good neighbor. “Homer does everything short of chaos and havoc to abuse Ned Flanders. It is because of Jesus' advice (Matthew 19:19) to "love your neighbor as yourself" that Ned is able to endure unconditional love in the face of continued abuse. On countless occasions, Homer urges Ned to "shut up", calls him a liar and a fool, and even nearly hits him with a car; Yet Ned Flanders always turns the other cheek. Homer once said, "If everyone here was like Ned Flanders, there would be no need for heaven." We would be there already. Ned Flanders is the Simpsons' next spiritual neighbor. He is often the subject of comical ridicule and ill-mannered sarcasm due to his good-natured "ecclesiastical" ways. However, like every other Simpsons character, Ned Flanders is just an exaggerated stereotype of the perfect Christian. Maybe that's why the producers placed him right next to his opposite,