The writer behind Peanuts characters Snoopy and Charlie Brown's religious beliefs
Charles Schulz, the creator of the iconic Peanuts comics, was deeply rooted in his Christian faith, a fact that is evident in the spiritual and religious themes present in his works. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1922, Schulz was the only son of a barber and a homemaker. He drew every single one of his comic strips without any assistance.
Raised in the Lutheran tradition, Schulz was active in the Church of God as a young adult and later taught Sunday school at a United Methodist Church. His faith was a significant influence on his life and work, shaping classic Peanuts moments, such as the spiritual reflections on Christmas and moral questions.
One of the most notable examples of Schulz's religious influence can be seen in the 1965 TV special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, where Linus recites the text of Luke's Gospel to explain the true meaning of Christmas. This special, along with over 560 out of approximately 17,800 Peanuts strips, contains religious or spiritual references, generally drawing on Schulz's own life and beliefs, illustrating his narrative embedding of faith themes.
Theologian Robert L. Short further highlighted Schulz's work by interpreting Peanuts characters and stories through a Christian theological lens in his 1965 book, The Gospel According to Peanuts. This book has been influential in exploring the spiritual messages within Schulz’s comics.
Though Schulz identified as a Christian for much of his life, by the late 1980s he described himself as a secular humanist, emphasizing moral responsibility and human obligation over organized religion. However, his earlier religious upbringing and beliefs continued to shape his work, contributing to the comic’s broad appeal and depth.
Despite his secular humanist leanings, Schulz's faith remained a significant part of his life. According to his widow, he never pushed his beliefs on others and considered God to be very important in a deep, mysterious way. Schulz's mother, Dena Schulz, was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 1938 and passed away in 1942, before he could show her his work. This loss deeply affected Schulz, who never got over the moment of saying goodbye to his mother before she passed away.
Schulz was a complex person who sought maternal love but felt indifference and rejection, which may have contributed to his perceived coldness and remoteness. However, his work, particularly the Peanuts comics, serves as a testament to his spiritual journey and the impact of his faith on his life and art.
The Peanuts comics, created between 1957 and 2000, feature a popular culture icon named Snoopy. The comics have been widely recognized, studied, and celebrated, particularly A Charlie Brown Christmas and works interpreting Peanuts as a source of spiritual insight.
In contrast to the emotional wounds and absences that humans experience, the Bible presents a God who had no "bonds" or limitations. Similarly, God's love, as depicted in the Bible, can cure illnesses, repair what has been broken, and find what has been lost. God experienced rejection and incomprehension, but on a scale that humans can never imagine, and took upon himself all human suffering and sin to free us from our "bonds". This contemplation of God's sacrificial love can fill us with wonder and make what seemed too good to be true become reality for all eternity.
References:
[1] Smith, B. (2015). The Gospel According to Peanuts: Charles M. Schulz and the Religious Imagination. Oxford University Press.
[2] Short, R. L. (1965). The Gospel According to Peanuts. Abingdon Press.
[4] Macdonald, P. (2006). A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Making of a Tradition. Insight Editions.
Celebrities, such as Charles Schulz, often have their personal beliefs reflected in their work, like the spiritual and religious themes present in the Peanuts comics. This pop-culture icon, known for creating Snoopy and other beloved characters, was significantly shaped by his Christian faith, as seen in his home-and-garden of comics and TV specials.
