TTA Podcast 190: Should We Mock Religion

[@SupaDr00g]

"Should We Mock Religion" Yes, how on Earth can you take grown people with imaginary friends seriously?

[@Superman679]

Especially those who worship Zombies !!! Santa/Jesus died and then came back to life (Zombie). OK not conclusive proof but what about he wants you to eat his flesh and drink his blood. If that's not fucking Zombie shit, I don't know what is !!!

[@ericm6415]

When I was a Christian, jokes about Christianity were pretty funny... Now that I am an atheist, they are even funnier... anybody have this similar feeling?

[@uzimyspecial]

Jokes about christianity were kind of accepted, but any joke about god or any other "Holy" figure was heavily frowned upon.

[@stephaniecuellar3192]

l still use a phrase from Mike Warnke, now debunked antioccult comedian, "Slap it in B for 'boogie'."(used when approached by evangelist ) Hilarious when l was a believer. Funnier as an atheist who now will cause them to 'slap it in B...' The average street witness has no clue when they approach me to 'talk about HeyZeus.

[@kathyheitchue2022]

Yes moi, like hell

[@tehspamgozehere]

Nope! Never been a believer myself, but I had quite a few friends at school who were highly devout. Providing we weren't too insulting, they could laugh along also and even put forward a few of their own. Being able to laugh at oneself is important.

[@bogdanflorin8927]

YES, we should mock religion, mercilessly. Just like we mock other stupid beliefs. If we let it, the irrational will become "normal" and in time highly destructive.

[@Alulim-Eridu]

That which is ridiculous, is by definition deserving of ridicule

[@DrMattsuu]

Mockery of ideas is perfectly acceptable to me, provided it doesn't go too far. You don't want to mock the person, that's non-constructive and frankly can be quite hurtful for the person. Mock the idea, the system and if they are offended by the mocking of their belief system, then fine, let them be so. That is their right. Mock the belief, but keep open arms to those who genuinely want to think about it, even if they come to the conclusion that they want to continue supporting and following their doctrine - simply getting them to think about it is a victory for a free thinking society.

[@mikepanick468]

Start using their religion's absurdities and atrocities against them. They start using slurs and name calling. This is incontrovertible proof they have NO cogent argument.

[@ke4uyp]

-Knock knock --"Who is it?" -"It's me, Jesus. Let me in." --"Why do you want in?" -"I want to save you." --"Save me from what?" -"From what I'll do to you if you don't let me in."?

[@kathyheitchue2022]

The picture of Jesus at the door with pizza is priceless

[@Nizati]

In all honestly.. Everything should be able to take a good ribbing. Whether it's a country, a race, a mentality, a career... Everything and everyone should be able to withstand a good joke now and then. Laughter and mockery makes us laugh in the face of the darkest aspects of our world, and allows everyone to take a critical look at what we simply took as 'normal'. Religion is no exception.. And anything/one who Can't take a joke, really needs to take a good look at themselves and dig in to try to find out why. **Edit** that being said.. Making a joke, and outright trying to offend and hurt another is a fine line that's easy to trip over.@.@

[@jeanpaulfontaine2883]

Nizati I agree. Nowadays so called "political correctness" tries to keep us from free expression.

[@JamesRichardWiley]

Notice that Neither Yahweh nor his son Yeshua laugh or tell jokes to make us laugh. Two humorless SOB's.

[@mikepanick468]

Blasphemy is one of my favorite activities.

[@drkmwinters]

I don't hear atheists complaining about theist mocking. Instead we counter their misrepresentations. Satire, which is much of what comedy using religion is, is vital as part of debate. Pointing out the moral atrocities in the Bible in light of the assertions of believers that their god is all good is quite valid critique. Atheists critique other atheists, why should we give religion a special pass? People who get offended should be reminded that it is the idea that is being critiqued, don't complain. Present counter evidence or a counter argument.

[@ybrynecho2368]

Kristi Winters: Exactly. We atheists are criticized all of the time - not only by the religious but by each other - moderate atheists are criticized for being wimpy and "new" atheists are criticized for being to "evangelical". We can't do anything right. But when we criticize the beliefs of the religious we are threatened with hell fire, god's wrath and all kinds of nastiness.

[@RyskerSein]

If a religious person can damn me to hell then I'm sure it's okay that I make a Jesus pizza joke once in awhile.

[@davidcross4815]

Exactly. When an ideology, like Islam, which calls for the death of everyone who is not muslim, then demands respect when it's not able to enforce said death penalty, deserves not only mockery but derision, criticism and ridicule. I refuse to respect any such beliefs.

[@corinaamato3519]

I think people are missing one point. We mock because we may. Because we live in America, we can be free to laugh at religion whereas in many many other countries, you could be hung or stoned for the same. We mock because we are free. It's also a statement of personal liberty and freedom from religion, which is under constant attack from the church. Mock on!

[@fredriksk21]

Seth has the most soothing voice ever!

[@MissOne]

And not bad on the eye. 🥰

[@bary1234]

Superstition deserves just ridicule and laughter. All sane humans should mock superstition 24/7 untill organized superstition is gone from this world.

[@AnthonyHandcock]

People for who it's inappropriate to mock their religion - Neighbours and strangers who didn't bring up the subject, colleagues ditto, the clearly mentally ill, the senile or otherwise mentally disabled and young children. People for who it's appropriate to mock their religion - Friends, family, street preachers, public figures, door to door religion salesmen, scientologists (even if listed above), anybody who brought the subject up first, imaginary friends, people on the internet.

[@teh.manosman]

This channel is timeless and I love it!

[@stevehunnell3651]

Religion mocks itself by spouting the ridiculous.

[@thomash.schwed3662]

That's something I've found to be occasionally the best form of mockery. Letting the ridiculousness which is religion speak for itself sometimes makes the point far more effectively than I personally could.

[@van3363]

I don't know if Christianity is a comedy or a tragedy.

[@Pico_Farad]

Should we mock religion? Hell yes!

[@elzoog]

Are you an NPC?

[@bensteinundknochen9404]

@@elzoog Non Playable Character? 🤔

[@lonewolfbadassery]

Ha ha,"hell yes".

[@bobbart4198]

@@elzoog ... If you mean " Non-Practicing Christian " just say it ! ...

[@ziffulmyer]

i see a difference between _mock_ and _taunt_ When talking to a Christian, referring to Jesus as "Jebus" , for example, is not mocking, but taunting, IMHO. "Jebus" strikes me as funny, I admit. I laugh every time i hear it. But it still bothers me. My family are Christians after all. But _mockery_ ...heck yeah! For example, I love that "After The Rapture" 2012 video Seth made a couple years ago. Priceless.

[@TheGrrrlAnachronism]

Thanks to mockery and satire, I became an atheist. My ideas were challenged, and luckily, I was open minded enough to examine those ideas and see them for what they really were.

[@Mariomario-gt4oy]

Yes it unequivocally should. NO ideology gets a free lad from criticism or ridicule. If it can't be backed up. Silence isn't the answer. Religion doesn't get a special treatment. We don't do that for any other claim. And religion doesnt doesn't, as I said, get special treatment or put on a pedestal

[@yinYangMountain]

Seth, I recently left a comment for a video on the Wild Bill for America channel. A KZbinr, which I assumed was a fundamentalist Christian, engaged me. I used a series of Socratic style questions advocated by Peter Boghossian and centered around what John Loftus calls The Outsider Test for Faith. Essentially the response was that I mocked the KZbinr's faith. Thus, from the view of certain Christians, the mere exercise of rational inquiry is mockery. This is, in my opinion, proof that many Christians have a hyperactive victim complex.

[@cullenarthur8879]

Yes, l agree. It seems to be built into christianity itself that the faithful will be mocked and persecuted. It's actually a pretty clever defense mechanism. But I mock it anyways because it is ridiculous.

[@BorisEkner]

Comparing religion to the Emperors New Clothes is what I did when I read the story to my 9 y/o son. Without saying a word on religion I think every parent should read it as a bedtime story to their children.

[@MagnusLootCrate]

Answering even before I listen... The short answer is "Yes". The long answer... Yes, because you ALWAYS take the piss out of anyone or anything that takes itself far too seriously.

[@ScienceDruid]

I believe that it’s entirely possible to separate the religion from the person. Have compassion for and be kind to the person; mock in an appropriate setting. It was the mockery which helped me to convert, but it was quite clear that I was not included as a subject of that mockery. Cheers!

[@peanut3ossie2]

Please create more of those videos like Suzy!! They are amazing and so entertaining, I'm sure we'll all appreciate it. :)

[@Dachande84]

Fully in favor of mockery, within reason. If it hadn't been for mockery I'd still be a believer. Thank you, George Carlin. RIP

[@lxoxrxexnx]

Thanks for all the good words and ideas

[@lauriesoper4056]

I love humour. The whole idea of humour is to topple the sacred, turn things topsy-turvy. Laughter is life. I would LOVE it if my family made more jokes about atheism. But they seem petrified to do so, lest I return the favour. Pity. We could have so much fun.

[@GodBoredWas]

That's the thing about this. People take it personally. Why do you need to defend your god? Shouldn't your god be able to deal with that by its self? You don't need to get pissy about it, mocking your god is not mocking you. Its mocking Ideas.

[@Elecman008]

Mockery helped lead me out of religion.

[@gerriefarman3174]

Hey Seth you forgot the "Racing Jesus in a Speedboat" picture. That is the funniest thing I've seen in a long time and loved it in your talk.

[@lcvamp242]

Blasphemy is a natural part of my style of humor.

[@EarlEvansCentARK]

Just dropping a "warm fuzzy" I finally ordered my first NatureBox thanks to TTA. Props.

[@genijohnston1777]

I love these broadcasts. I was born in England where people marry and bury in Churches and usually christen ( baptise) their children without really thinking about it. I was Christened in the Church of England. When I was in my teens I was “saved” by the Church of Christ and decided to read the Bible. I found the New Testament wordy but not too offensive, but when I got to Job I began to have serious doubts. It took me until I had my first baby when I went to church at Christmas and was told it was wonderful that god saved the baby Jesus but all the other babies under two were killed by Herod. This was the last straw. I haven’t been to church since. Mock away though I still don’t make a point of telling people I don’t believe unless they ask. I still don’t like upsetting my Christian friends It is just weird. Keep preaching atheism I really am right there with you. Incidentally I’m 77 and grew up in Australia and now live in New Zealand 🥰

[@BorisEkner]

If your humor makes people laugh with you at authority the power of the authority vanishes. That’s why humor is such a strong argument against religion.

[@SilentEcho9194]

I understand this is from 6 years ago, but in 2021 it is all the more worthy of being mocked. They can't stop giving us reasons to mock them.

[@ideasandwich3975]

"Should we mock religion?" It's such an excellent question, especially because there are rock-solid awesome points both for Yes and for No! I love it because I can't yet choose which way is more effective at putting the big "R," Religion, in its appropriate place in a corner of the children's playroom of the house called Humanity. Big "H" Humanity.

[@4tech69]

Yes, at all times, all places and at every opportunity. There needs to be a price paid for such behavior and it must be constant and everywhere.

[@robkey2476]

It has always surprised me that so many people are afraid of questioning their spoon-fed religious beliefs, when all it takes is looking around the real world they live in and see for themselves that it does not conform with what is written in the bible and drummed into their little heads by their parents when their minds were still unformed. The power of indoctrination and of parental authority. I am glad I grew up in Europe.

[@SIMKINETICS]

Mocking religion is justifiable, but is best delivered in a good-humored way. There's rarely need to be offensive while pointing out the irrationality of some ideas. Serious anti-theistic messages can be framed with reason, again, inoffensive. Either way, it's important to empathize with the listener, viewer or reader for whom the message is intended. If the theist is offended by humor, that's *his* problem.

[@whatdidyoujustsay3656]

"Should we mock religion?" - Yes, each time I'm confronted by religiots.

[@RickGoodner]

I now rejoin this exciting episode of the Thinking Atheist, already in progress. :-)

[@vryc]

Now this is a great question. I've often said that I don't care THAT you believe in something; believe whatever you want. However, I'm most interested in WHY you believe something. And with this question comes a further implicit question: how does this belief inform who you are? Besides Politics, pretty much any other held belief in something is generated through rational means. But you put the stamp of religion on it where rational means cannot be demonstrated (and is in fact, the primary hallmark of the belief-system) and the question become so personal that objectivity is thrown right out the window. Should we mock bad ideas? As soon as they enter ANY public sphere, absolutely. As Hitchens said, keep your illusions private. Can we effectively mock religion which is just a construct of bad ideas? I'm really not sure of how to go about this without insulting a person's core being simply because of the insipidly intertwined nature that religion has on our emotional qualities. The question should be examined but I really don't know any reasonable answer.

[@garygood6804]

short answer: yes

[@ImGoingSupersonic]

Heres what I've noticed... When you logically argue religious people, and when it comes out so simply how ridiculous their beliefs are, it comes out as mockery automatically because its just that silly.

[@joesapiens2871]

I know this is an old video. For those who come for the first time, or have returned, I will still share my thoughts. I have come to an assumption regarding the reason why certain people are offended by mockery and criticism. It is because a person has entrusted their health and wellbeing as well as their accountability to whomever or whatever is the focus of their belief. Practically speaking, a person should have full authority and accountability for their mistakes.

[@Ghost_Of_SAS]

That roach church picture made me lose oh so many facebook friends. They will not be missed.

[@mu1288]

An important thing to mention in becoming an atheist is that few, including myself, come from a religious mind set in which they DO choose to become an atheist. I might be a very rare case but, when I was younger I was into reading the book of Revelations and because of the many things I read in that book, I chose to attempt to become a skeptic and an atheist just so I could stay behind during the apocalypse. Pretty weird I know. I thought I could stay behind and preach the word to those who were left after the real proof of God's existence and of the bible, namely the end of days. It was quite the off shoot from traditional belief and full of external fallacies but, in my religious mind, it held up to the biblical standard so I went through with it. I eventually stopped praying, stopped thinking anything good or bad came from god or the devil, eventually stopped believing all together and came into skepticism through very irrational means. At this point in my life, the original purpose of my disbelief has worn off and I am fully non-religious and do not think any of what I believed was in any way rational or true. However, IF the apocalypse does happen, I plan to believe again, BUT since there is no reason to believe that will happen, why bother? To say that no one chooses to be an atheist is to ignore certain VERY rare cases as mine. I think what I mean to say is that people CAN choose to stop believing and for various reasons, including my former most irrational one. I am glad that my lack of rationality brought me into a skeptical and rational mind set eventually. Now I know WHY not to believe so I don't. I love the podcast and what it can be for atheists and religious people alike.

[@PseudoSudoNim]

Ridicule the ridiculous! With the caveat of that which is expressed at 1:17:00. The context in which the ridicule is administered certaily can have potentially negative adverse effects if the goal is to help the person escape the mental shackles of religious thinking. Psychological defence mechanisms and the culturally accepted practice of being able to see this as a source of offence gives the believer ample escape routes to avoid difficult realisations.

[@rstevewarmorycom]

Pseudo SudoNim Bullshit. It can ONLY HELP!!!

[@Theoldstandby]

With what happened in Paris, I thought this would be a good episode to listen to. There are otherwise rational people who are asserting that Charlie Hebdo brought the slaughter upon themselves because mocking religion is ... bad.

[@historicalbiblicalresearch8440]

The tentacles of religions are embedded in so many minds that laughing at believers is probably the best way to help them. Many of the core concepts are so silly , Adam & Eve , Noah's Ark , all the trailer-trash characters in the Old Testament etc etc

[@thomash.schwed3662]

I've found that occasionally the best form of mockery is simply letting the ridiculousness of religion speak for itself using some of the examples you cited.

[@larryvickers2480]

Short answer yes. Long answer YEEEEEEESSSSSSSS.

[@happyjohnrn]

So many of us have r out grown religion. But maybe we should express our maturity by remembering that to mock someones religion can be very hurtful to them. Lets show a little restraint

[@MichaelYoder1961]

I think there's a period when you leave something that has "hurt" us where we need to completely reject that in turning to where we're going. As a gay man I had to completely reject and mock straight people who "hurt" me over years while I entered my new life. Eventually, that eases, but I think it's a part of the process

[@siobhansteisa9996]

For me, a better approach is to challenge. Build the box to assess all claims, agree to the structure.

[@Apes2man]

How to convert a catholic priest to islam. Muhammad walks in to a bar with nine year old Aisha, the priest asks, "Is that your granddaughter?" Muhammad replied, "No. She's my wife."

[@amymcisaac6003]

These podcasts should be made available on itunes

[@MOPEDBRAD]

...." three days to respawn!" Holy shit that was funny!

[@WWZenaDo]

Starting around 29:00 - that is one of the BEST assessments of the insanely dictatorial single-mindedness of Islam!

[@BrandonOsborn404]

Yes, religion should be mocked. Religion is a huge assumption that is considered, by its followers, to be fact - and asserts that anyone who doesn't believe in it is evil. That is so wrong I don't even know where to begin. People who believe that Elvis Presley is alive should be mocked, people who believe that unicorns, bigfoot, or the Loch Ness monster are real should be mocked, and the idea of tacit belief in a sky-daddy, walking-dead-son, and wholly-shit-ghosty should totally and publicly be MOCKED.

[@MPythonGirl]

I was raised on satire, religious and otherwise. I could quote Monty Python, before I ever saw the movie. Even when I was Mormon. I know at least one uncle who is still religious, and still loves religious satire. These people don't find it persuasive, but don't find it offensive either... But there is the difference between satire and mockery. They are very different.

[@loki2240]

Religious belief is emotional and irrational. So, I don't know that you can mock religion and successfully separate it from believers. Even if you try to tell a believer that they're too intelligent to believe in such things, they'll likely still take offense and wall up. If you want to change someone's mind, I think a better approach is to ask them how their religious beliefs would sound if they weren't raised to believe them. Stating their beliefs may still come off like mockery (especially if you go that route with word choice). But I think it's a way to plant a seed of thought, instead of directly attacking and causing defensive behavior.

[@uzimyspecial]

Religious beliefs should be mocked, but not necessairly the people who hold those beliefs AND there's a place and time for everything. I could maybe mock religion if i'm talking with a liberal religious person but i probably wouldn't do that with a fundamendalist, since it's possible that it would get them solely emotional, and when you do that, no matter what you're arguing, you aren't getting anywhere. This is my opinion, take it with a grain of salt, i'm just an Italian 15 year old so i still have to grow up.

[@scapegoatiscariot2767]

We should consider celebrating Christmas ourselves. I know I will. It's "Merry Christmas to All" for me. Force them to face our acceptance and celebration of the familial holiday within Christmas, while they focus on us denouncing and persecuting those who celebrate christmas. And an early merry Christmas, to you. 😉

[@MaoRuiqi]

IMHO, mockery is only of value if it is witty, humorous, and well-targeted; mean, ill-informed, and or angry mockery simply polarizes.

[@brianhall1721]

I love your Episode, ***** but the sound is a little static and unnerving, like you need to repair and fix the sound..

[@TheThinkingAtheist]

Parameter issue with the Skype recorder. Should be fixed for the next show. Sorry.

[@brianhall1721]

***** I'm carious, what is your next episode is about? I will listed for your next episode... :)

[@auto_math]

Personally, mockery helped me getting de-converted. For a while, I considered myself an agnostic catholic, and I made fun of fundamentalist christians and other cults. But when I heard Bill Maher, in one of his stand ups, mock liberal christians saying that the "general story" was the stupidest part, I thought to myself that I had to stop making excuses and start rejecting childish superstition.

[@tehspamgozehere]

1:18:00 ish. I reall reading in a Victorian-era book on entertaining houseguests and proper etiquette for the home owner. In it, the author proposed that there are only two topics that must not be discussed at the dinner table. Surprisingly, sex was not one of them. The two topics thus forbidden were politics and religion. Despite much of the rest of the book being grossly outdated, I've found that suggestion to be useful.

[@Burninizer]

Ridiculous ideas are deserving of ridicule, for sure. Although a bit of a sarcastic hit now and then can sting, I've always found that it's helped me reflect on my beliefs and refresh what I think is valid. Mockery is a powerful tool, not for changing minds but for helping others to do what I do and think a bit deeper. If they come out believing stronger, that's fine, so long as there's _good_ reasons for believing it. That being said, Hipster Jesus liked Nine Inch Nails before it was cool.

[@antagonizerr]

People who are easily offended by the mockery of their ideals and beliefs admit that their ideals and beliefs are worthy of mockery. Point in fact, when was the last time you heard about an atheist up in arms over an anti-evolution meme?

[@stiimuli]

I disagree. Case in point: When I finally gave in to peer pressure and joined facebook I was almost instantly bombarded by religious propaganda from family members on facebook I didn't even know were so religious (and they didn't know I was an atheist). One particular post I found one day was a "joke" from my aunt basically saying that April Fool's day is the only atheist holiday because atheists are fools. Should this have offended me? It did. The resulting debate ended up making my aunt cry =(

[@antagonizerr]

stiimuli I don't know your circumstance, but do you think you were personally offended by the remarks, or more annoyed at the ignorance they were exhibiting? I found myself typing up a scathing comment on Kirk Cameron's Halloween diatribe, but it wasn't because I felt 'attacked' by him, but rather I found myself exasperated by his ignorance (or deceit depending on who you ask). I wasn't, so much threatened as tired of the same old, tired, propaganda.

[@stiimuli]

antagonizerr I was outraged and perplexed that people who *don't* believe in an invisible sky wizard were being labeled fools by people that do...and it was my own family doing it. What made it even more infuriating was all her religious friends replying to the joke laughing and cheering her on. It was not only offensive but absurd and it pissed me off.

[@azsli2]

Yes Seth you are offensive. It took me three trys to get through "Christianity made me talk like an idiot" but after listening to AronRa for a while and looking up every verse on dark matter I came back and agreed those phrases are nonsense. Now I am a secular humanist and laugh all the time at you and other mockery.

[@davidpretiz4439]

There's nothing like a little good humor to loosen things Up!

[@bmc2222]

Haven't got anything to add, other than that was a great episode. Thanks.

[@brianrakes5413]

it is only right and proper to heap ridicule upon the ridiculous

[@lagodifuoco313]

Hitchens words and in my mind just like buybull verses were when I called myself xtian.

[@bnipmnaa]

YES. Next question.

[@Lewa500]

"Fucking lag, took 3 days to respawn," I died on that one! :D :D :D

[@roybarrows9733]

To answer the title's question, yes, we should. If people don't want their beliefs ridiculed, they shouldn't have ridiculous beliefs.

[@studio2hanselandgretel327]

The idea of supporting charities is a good one.

[@tomhaupt5238]

Absolutely....watch the Pat Condell video titled "Insulting Religion"

[@tomhaupt5238]

not even 10 minutes after Seth's talk, I see a FB article from Patheos titled "Deranged rabbi claims children born blind viewed porn in a previous life" ROFLMAO

[@fredricklindberg]

Yes. We. Should.

[@MissOne]

these are so funny. 😂 😀 🤣 thanks for sharing 👍🏾

[@daledean2]

Hey Seth can you post links to all those memes you read during the podcast? I really liked a few of them and want to use them on my FB page. Thanx in advance if you can sir :)

[@elainegoad2111]

Depends on the situation and circumstance presented. Respectfully discussing points is okay but if someone becomes angry and abusive, stop and walk away. There's too many Crazy religious zealots out there. Definitely point out (the many) flaws in certain belief systems and true history. If we're with like minded people of course we can joke. Humor is good for our mental health. I celebrate the winter solstice on Dec 21 and the welcoming of the beginning of longer days of sun light. I have gifting appreciation day (don't overdue and get into the greed and black Friday crap) on the 25 and a special meal in anticipation of the harvest of the coming new year. Christmas shouldn't be a Federal/State Holiday ! It is illegal according to the Constitution. Why do non-believers, athiests/agnostics/ and people of other religious persuasions have to locked out of going out to eat (EXCEPT Chinese) shopping, stores closed, everything shut down because of a (delusional) religious belief of one religion of some people ?

[@saxmanchiro]

Silly things should be mocked. When those silly things are toted as truth, even more reason to mock the shit out of it. Add to that, laws and the rights of individuals being curtailed by those silly things, the mocking should be epic.

[@Encephalitisify]

Yes. It's the next step in our evolution.

[@216trixie]

Of course we should. Okay, now I'll watch the video.

[@kirtooahmadinejad]

Not only should we mock religion, but we should also mock the religious. If your ideas can't take mockery, you might want to rethink them. You want to discuss with the more rational ones, and mock the rest untill they show their true beliefs, which you then can mock agian.

[@ianharvey8025]

But in truth religion is funny as hell. The ones that speak in tongues are my favourite. I even visit a local Pentecostal church for occasional pick me ups. The last time I was there one of them asked if I could feel the holy spirit so I just made some shit up with a comedy voice and with some faux conviction and the chap was delighted

[@JamesRichardWiley]

Mock religion until it becomes no different than any other area of research subject to testing by anyone. It would not hurt Yahweh or his son Yeshua to occasionally laugh or tell a joke , but no, its only about fear, guilt, and dependency.

[@DouglasBernes]

"Ridicule is the only weapon to be used against unintelligible propositions."--Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson, referring to the 'Holy' Trinity.

[@dianapavero8051]

I just wanted to throw in my two cents for what it's worth. On the topic of religious/ religion mockery, most folk who post disparaging remarks on religion, live in a house or community where they are the only nonbeliever ( that they are aware of) in that household/area. Consequently, they seek out atheist communities on line, and use these outlets to vent their pent up frustration on their inability to share their thoughts on their disbelief. It's a cathartic way to release all their views to the world; a lot of the postings have an underlying anger. Yes, some of it is childish, and degrades to name calling with no one taking time to express their view in a cogent, civil manner. This unfortunate tendency exists on both sides; just ask Jessica Alqhist ( not sure if I spelled her name correctly) how the believers reacted to her request to remove the prayer on her school wall. I do, at times, frown at the word exchange, found on these sites, but it is the way it is. So, are we atheists supposed to shut up and allow the religious institutions run roughshod over everything, and allow these religious agendas take over the education system, governments, etc.? I think not! But we all need to learn to state our views and our dissent in a urbane way, as if we were speaking with each other face to face.

[@van-hieuvo8208]

To paraphrase what a certain kind of people like to say: hate the belief, don't hate the believers. I personally wouldn't make moking religion my one personality trait, but I'm okay with doing so in small doses in response to the zealous nutjobs who're trying to fuck with other people's lives. In turn, Christians and Muslims ought to separate their beliefs from their identities. Believing in god needs not entail following a ridiculous, oftentimes harmful, dogma.

[@michaelreidperry3256]

Stupid beliefs can be mocked. If “God” has a problem with it, let him do something about it. Of course believers rationalize it as up to themselves to do God’s dirty work, including breaking the Ten Commandments being okay if it is for Jesus. I see it as them hedging their bets of whether or not God’s existence is actually true. They must complicate the lives of those who are labeled “degenerates” without offering any evidence for it beyond scripture. “Heaven” forbid others get away with living their lives without a lifestyle of make believe and superstition.

[@SlideRulePirate]

That's an impressive semi JC has got up there.

[@hankstalica1922]

Absolutely, you can mock people's choices. Religion is a choice. Fair game.

[@dafl00]

The snickers joke is probably the sole reason why I'm going to hell :)

[@quercus4730]

If it is funny or ridiculous laugh or let someone know it does not make sense. Religion absolutely needs to be ridiculed, read the bible it is ridiculous.

[@bohemianwriter1]

Whether we should mock religions? What a ridiculous question. Off course we shall mock religion. At every turn! When faced with a mindless bible drooler, point out evolution, and how they seem to resemble the missing link with their bible fantasies! It's a human right! It should be mandatory!

[@doogandoggin2571]

Haven't even listened yet but, YES.

[@lyleswanson7557]

Lately my favorite meme is, Marie Curie died for our sins.

[@Alulim-Eridu]

Anything that is ridiculous, is by definition; deserving of ridicule