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America's Family Man
More than 45 years later, an excess of 1,500 newspapers, boasting a collective readership of more than 188 million worldwide now carry The Family Circus, making it the most widely read cartoon panel on the planet. America has experienced an ever-widening chasm between what is identified as "secular" and "sacred." However, in his simple depictions of family life, Bil Keane has never made that distinction. Keane is a man whose commitment to whole and authentic living has been reflected in The Family Circus since the beginning. The cartoon remains an "idealized" representation of American family life, quietly waving a banner for traditional family values, and the personal Christian faith of its creator. "Christian themes have always been a part of The Family Circus," Keane said. "What's funny is that in the early days, when I mentioned God or prayer in a cartoon I'd get letters from people saying 'how dare you mention God on the comic page!' They called me blasphemous! "However, today conservative Christians write and thank me for showing a family that believes in God," he continued. "My response has always been the same: If I'm going to be true to who I am then you will find my faith reflected in The Family Circus." Bil Keane (he dropped the other "L" in high school because he thought it was more distinctive) grew up in Philadelphia the son of devout Catholic parents. Their deep faith in God was nurtured in young Bil while he attended the St. William parochial school in Philadelphia ("As a child I was sure the school was named for me!") where he began sketching his earliest cartoons. Later, in high school Keane began drawing a cartoon for the school newspaper, which lampooned teachers, students and events on campus. In 1948, Keane married his wife, Thel, and their five children—Gayle, Neal, Glen, Christopher and Jeff—soon followed. The Family Circus drew upon the real-life antics of the Keane family children. Today, that inspiration comes from the Keane's nine grandchildren. "I never set out to be an evangelist, to preach or have a formal ministry. I have just tried to present American family life," Keane said. "We raised our own children to have a deep belief and faith in God. As a result, I've always shown The Family Circus children saying prayers, going to church and commenting on spiritual things the way children always do." Remarkably, despite the changing intellectual and moral landscape in our country, The Family Circus is more popular than ever. However, throughout more than 40 years in his "secular" career, Bil Keane has uniquely and consistently shared his Christian faith to millions. His model challenges every man to live an authentic, integrated Christian life. "Your Christian faith needs to be part of who you are, part of your persona—not just something you do on Sunday," Keane said. "As a Christian, if you are committed to God, the Bible and prayer, then it needs to be part of your daily life. Be natural with it around other people—don't hide it and put it in your back pocket. It doesn't matter if you're a doctor, a lawyer or the guy who drives the backhoe for a construction company. Let your relationship with God be reflected in your speech and your activities." As the "Dad" of The Family Circus , Keane does much more than "talk the talk." He has committed himself to a life of faith and character that now flows through his own family. "The only real legacy that any man leaves behind is his family. It's worth devoting yourself to your children and grandchildren—to give them what will last after you're gone—The values that will be handed down to their descendants," Keane said. "Words can be mundane or misunderstood. Speak with your life instead. Men who reflect God's love in their own lives have a ministry that is every bit as important as a pastor or any other Christian leader." By Lynne Marian |
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