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{{short description|Satire referring to religious beliefs}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Multiple issues|
{{refimprove|date=February 2011}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}


[[File:The Papal Belvedere.jpg|thumb|right|From a series of woodcuts (1545) usually referred to as the ''Papstspotbilder'' or ''Papstspottbilder'' in German or ''Depictions of the Papacy'' in English,<ref name=Oberman>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_leG5ztYoZwC&pg=PA61|title=The Impact of the Reformation: Essays|first=Heiko Augustinus|last=Oberman|date=1 January 1994|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing|isbn=9780802807328|via=Google Books}}</ref> by [[Lucas Cranach the Elder|Lucas Cranach]], commissioned by [[Martin Luther]].<ref name=Edwards-1>[https://books.google.com/books?id=kYbupalP98kC&pg=PA4 ''Luther's Last Battles: Politics And Polemics 1531–46'' By Mark U. Edwards, Jr.] Fortress Press, 2004. {{ISBN|978-0-8006-3735-4}}</ref> Title: Kissing the Pope's Feet.<ref>In Latin, the title reads "Hic oscula pedibus papae figuntur"</ref> German peasants respond to a papal bull of [[Pope Paul III]]. Caption reads: "Don't frighten us Pope, with your ban, and don't be such a furious man. Otherwise we shall turn around and show you our rears."<ref>"Nicht Bapst: nicht schreck uns mit deim ban, Und sey nicht so zorniger man. Wir thun sonst ein gegen wehre, Und zeigen dirs Bel vedere"</ref><ref name=Edwards-2>[https://books.google.com/books?id=kYbupalP98kC&pg=PA198 Mark U. Edwards, Jr., ''Luther's Last Battles: Politics And Polemics 1531–46'' (2004), p. 199]</ref>]]
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'''Religious satire''' is a form of [[satire]] targeted at [[religious]] [[belief]]s.<ref name="Hodgart2009npn"/> From the earliest times, at least since the plays of [[Aristophanes]], religion has been one of the three primary topics of literary satire, along with [[politics]] and [[sex]].<ref name="Clark91p116">Clark (1991) [https://books.google.com/books?id=LOeLRDzui_wC&pg=PA116 pp.116-8] quotation: {{quotation|...religion, politics, and sexuality are the primary stuff of literary satire. Among these sacret targets, matters costive and defecatory play an important part. ... from the earliest times, satirists have utilized scatological and bathroom humor. Aristophanes, always livid and nearly scandalous in his religious, political, and sexual references...}}</ref><ref name="Clark73p20">Clark, John R. and Motto, Anna Lydia (1973) [https://books.google.com/books?id=A5NZAAAAMAAJ ''Satire--that blasted art''] p.20</ref><ref name="Clark80p45">Clark, John R. and Motto, Anna Lydia (1980) [https://books.google.com/books?id=SnwhAQAAIAAJ ''Menippeans & Their Satire: Concerning Monstrous Leamed Old Dogs and Hippocentaurs''], in Scholia satyrica, Volume 6, 3/4, 1980 p.45 quotation: {{quotation|[Chapple's book ''Soviet satire of the twenties'']...classifying the very ''topics'' his satirists satirized: housing, food, and fuel supplies, poverty, inflation, "hooliganism", public services, religion, stereotypes of nationals (the Englishman, German, &c), &c. Yet the truth of the matter is that no satirist worth his salt (Petronius, Chaucer, Rabelais, Swift, Leskov, Grass) ever avoids man's habits and living standards, or scants those delicate desiderata: religion, politics, and sex.}}</ref> Satire which targets the [[clergy]] is a type of [[political satire]], while religious satire is that which targets religious beliefs.<ref name="Hodgart2009npn">Hodgart (2009) [https://books.google.com/books?id=dGrCooK63TsC&pg=PA39 p.39]</ref>


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'''Religious satire''' is a form of satire that refers to religious [[belief]]s and can take the form of texts, plays, films, and parody.<ref name="Hodgart2009npn"/> From the earliest times, at least since the plays of [[Aristophanes]], religion has been one of the three primary topics of literary satire, along with politics and sex.<ref name="Clark91p116">Clark (1991) [https://books.google.com/books?id=LOeLRDzui_wC&pg=PA116 pp.116–8] quotation: {{blockquote|...religion, politics, and sexuality are the primary stuff of literary satire. Among these sacret targets, matters costive and defecatory play an important part. ... from the earliest times, satirists have used scatological and bathroom humor. Aristophanes, always livid and nearly scandalous in his religious, political, and sexual references...}}</ref><ref name="Clark73p20">Clark, John R. and Motto, Anna Lydia (1973) [https://books.google.com/books?id=A5NZAAAAMAAJ ''Satire—that blasted art''] p.20</ref><ref name="Clark80p45">Clark, John R. and Motto, Anna Lydia (1980) [https://books.google.com/books?id=SnwhAQAAIAAJ ''Menippeans & Their Satire: Concerning Monstrous Leamed Old Dogs and Hippocentaurs''], in Scholia satyrica, Volume 6, 3/4, 1980 p.45 quotation: {{blockquote|[Chapple's book ''Soviet satire of the twenties'']...classifying the very ''topics'' his satirists satirized: housing, food, and fuel supplies, poverty, inflation, "hooliganism", public services, religion, stereotypes of nationals (the Englishman, German, &c), &c. Yet the truth of the matter is that no satirist worth his salt (Petronius, Chaucer, Rabelais, Swift, Leskov, Grass) ever avoids man's habits and living standards, or scants those delicate desiderata: religion, politics, and sex.}}</ref> Satire which targets the clergy is a type of [[political satire]], while religious satire is that which targets religious beliefs.<ref name="Hodgart2009npn">Hodgart (2009) [https://books.google.com/books?id=dGrCooK63TsC&pg=PA39 p.39]</ref> Religious satire is also sometimes called philosophical satire, and is thought to be the result of agnosticism or [[atheism]]. Notable works of religious satire surfaced during the [[Renaissance]], with works by [[Geoffrey Chaucer]], [[Erasmus]] and [[Albrecht Dürer]].
Religious satire is also sometimes called philosophical satire. Religious satire can be the result of [[agnosticism]] or [[atheism]]. Religious satire surfaced during the [[Renaissance]], with works by Chaucer, Erasmus and Durer.

Religious satire has been criticised and at times [[Censorship|censored]] to avoid offence, for example the film ''[[Life of Brian]]'' was initially banned in Ireland, Norway, some states of the US, and some towns and councils of the United Kingdom. This potential for censorship often leads to debates on the issue of [[freedom of speech]] such as in the case of the [[Religious Hatred Bill]] in January 2006. Critics of the original version of the Bill (such as comedian [[Rowan Atkinson]]) feared that satirists could be prosecuted.


==Notable examples of religious satire and satirists==
==Notable examples of religious satire and satirists==
{{in popular culture|section|date=June 2023}}
{{List missing criteria|date=June 2023}}
[[File:Loz carlinbd2.jpg|thumb|American comedian [[George Carlin]] was well known for his routines satirizing religion.]]
[[File:Loz carlinbd2.jpg|thumb|American comedian [[George Carlin]] was well known for his routines satirizing religion.]]
* [[Brian Merriman]]
* [[Bill Maher]]
* [[Bill Maher]]
* [[George Carlin]]
* [[George Carlin]]
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* [[Pat Condell]]
* [[Pat Condell]]
* [[Lenny Bruce]]
* [[Lenny Bruce]]
* [[Lucian of Samosata]]
* [[Dave Allen (comedian)|Dave Allen]]
* [[Dave Allen (comedian)|Dave Allen]]
* [[Hannibal Buress]]
* [[Hannibal Buress]]
* [[Jim Jeffries (comedian)|Jim Jeffries]]
* [[Jim Jefferies]]
* [[Richard Pryor]]
* [[Richard Pryor]]
* [[Theo van Gogh (film director)|Theo van Gogh]]
* [[Theo van Gogh (film director)|Theo van Gogh]]
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* [[Monty Python]]
* [[Monty Python]]
* [[The Kids in the Hall]]
* [[The Kids in the Hall]]
* [[Porta dos Fundos]]
[[Image:Bill Maher by David Shankbone cropped.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bill Maher]], satirist behind the film ''[[Religulous]]'']]
[[Image:Bill Maher by David Shankbone cropped.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bill Maher]], satirist behind the film ''[[Religulous]]'']]


=== Films and documentaries ===
=== Films and documentaries ===
* ''[[Heavens Above!]]'', by [[John and Roy Boulting]] (1963)
* ''[[St. Jorgen's Day]]'', by [[Yakov Protazanov]] (1930)
* ''[[The Holy Mountain (1973 film)|''The Holy Mountain'' (1973 film)]]'' (1973)
* ''[[Elmer Gantry]]'', by [[Richard Brooks]] (1961)
* ''[[Heavens Above!]]'', by [[John and Roy Boulting]] (1963)
* ''[[The Holy Mountain (1973 film)|''The Holy Mountain'']]'' (1973)
* ''[[Monty Python and the Holy Grail]]'' (1975)
* ''[[Monty Python and the Holy Grail]]'' (1975)
* ''[[Monty Python's Life of Brian]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Monty Python's Life of Brian]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Pray TV (1980 film)|Pray TV]]'' (1980)
* ''[[Monty Python's The Meaning of Life]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Monty Python's The Meaning of Life]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Silent Night, Deadly Night]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Orgazmo]]'' by [[Trey Parker]] and [[Matt Stone]] (1997)
* ''[[Orgazmo]]'' by [[Trey Parker]] and [[Matt Stone]] (1997)
* ''[[Dogma (film)|Dogma]]'' by [[Kevin Smith]] (1999)
* ''[[Dogma (film)|Dogma]]'' by [[Kevin Smith]] (1999)
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* ''[[How to Lose Your Virginity]]'' (2013)
* ''[[How to Lose Your Virginity]]'' (2013)
* ''[[PK (film)|PK]]'' by [[Rajkumar Hirani]] (2014)
* ''[[PK (film)|PK]]'' by [[Rajkumar Hirani]] (2014)
* ''[[The Last Hangover]]'' (2018)
* ''[[Sausage Party]]'' by [[Conrad Vernon]] and [[Greg Tiernan]] (2016)
* ''[[The First Temptation of Christ]]'' (2019)


==== Characters ====
==== Characters ====
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=== Literature and publications ===
=== Literature and publications ===
[[File:Ismail Gasprinski of Crimea. Molla Nasreddin № 17.jpg|thumb|230px|right|Caricature of the [[Crimean Tatars|Crimean Tatar]] educator and intellectual [[Ismail Gasprinsky]] (on the right), leader of the [[Jadid|Jadid movement]], depicted holding the newspaper ''Terjuman'' ("The Translator") and the textbook ''Khoja-i-Sübyan'' ("The Teacher of Children") in his hand. Two men, respectively Tatar and Azerbaijani [[Ulama|Muslim clerics]], are threatening him with ''[[Takfir|takfīr]]'' and ''[[Sharia|sharīʿah]]'' decrees (on the left). From the satirical magazine ''Molla Nasreddin'', N. 17, 28 April 1908, [[Tbilisi]] (illustrator: [[Oskar Schmerling]]).]]
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* ''Al-Fuṣūl wa Al-Ghāyāt'' ("Paragraphs and Periods"), a parody of the [[Quran]] by [[Al-Maʿarri]]<ref name="Maarri">{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/al-Maarri |author=Editors |title=Al-Maʿarrī (Biography) |work=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]] |date=May 2018}}</ref> (10th-11th century)

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* ''[[Al-Fuṣūl wa Al-Ghāyāt]]'' ("Paragraphs and Periods"), a parody of the [[Quran]] by [[Al-Maʿarri]]<ref name="Maarri">{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/al-Maarri |title=Al-Maʿarrī (Biography) |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]] |date=May 2018}}</ref> (10th–11th century)
* Collection of stories ''[[The Canterbury Tales]]'' (14th century) by [[Geoffrey Chaucer]]
* Collection of stories ''[[The Canterbury Tales]]'' (14th century) by [[Geoffrey Chaucer]]
* Essay ''[[The Praise of Folly]]'' (1509) by [[Desiderius Erasmus]]
* Essay ''[[The Praise of Folly]]'' (1509) by [[Desiderius Erasmus]]
* Novel ''[[A Tale of a Tub]]'' (1704) by [[Jonathan Swift]]
* Novel ''[[A Tale of a Tub]]'' (1704) by [[Jonathan Swift]]
* [[Brian Merriman]]'s ''Cúirt An Mheán Óiche'' (''[[The Midnight Court]]'') (c.1780), an [[Irish language]] [[comic poem]] which satirizes, among other things, the hypocrisy inherent in an 18th-century rural Ireland where [[Christian morality]] has collapsed
* [[Robert Burns]]' poem ''[[Holy Willie's Prayer]]'' (1785), which is an attack on religious hypocrisy
* [[Robert Burns]]' poem ''[[Holy Willie's Prayer]]'' (1785), which is an attack on [[self-righteousness]] and [[hypocrisy]] within the [[Calvinist]] [[Church of Scotland]]
* ''[[Chronicles of Barsetshire]]'' by [[Anthony Trollope]] (1855-67)
* ''[[Chronicles of Barsetshire]]'' by [[Anthony Trollope]] (1855–67)
* ''[[Letters from the Earth]]'', book of essays by [[Mark Twain]]
* ''[[Letters from the Earth]]'', book of essays by [[Mark Twain]]
* ''Alexander the Oracle Monger'', a parody and exposé of a false prophet by [[Lucian of Samosata]]
* ''[[The Screwtape Letters]]'', by [[C. S. Lewis]], 1943
* ''[[The Screwtape Letters]]'', by [[C. S. Lewis]], 1943
* Christian satire and humor magazine ''[[The Wittenburg Door]]'' (since 1971)
* Christian satire and humor magazine ''[[The Wittenburg Door]]'' (1971–2008)
* [[Robert A. Heinlein]]'s novel ''[[Job: A Comedy of Justice]]'' (1984)
* [[Robert A. Heinlein]]'s novel ''[[Job: A Comedy of Justice]]'' (1984)
* [[Christopher Moore (author)|Christopher Moore]]'s [[absurdist fiction|absurdist]] novel ''[[Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal]]'' (2002)
* [[Christopher Moore (author)|Christopher Moore]]'s [[absurdist fiction|absurdist]] novel ''[[Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal]]'' (2002)
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=== Plays and musicals ===
=== Plays and musicals ===
[[File:MahometFanatisme.jpg|thumb|right|[[Book frontispiece|Frontispiece]] of the 1753 edition of [[Voltaire]]'s play ''[[Mahomet (play)|Le fanatisme, ou Mahomet le Prophète]]'']]
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* ''[[Tartuffe]]'' (1664) by [[Molière]]
* ''[[Mahomet (play)|Mahomet, ou Le fanatisme]]'' (1736) by [[Voltaire]], notable for its [[Criticism of Muhammad|critical depiction of Muhammad]] as a [[Religious fanaticism|religious fanatic]] and [[Psychological manipulation|manipulator]]<ref name="Quinn2008">{{cite book |last=Quinn |first=Frederick |date=2008 |title=The Sum of All Heresies: The Image of Islam in Western Thought |location=[[New York City|New York]] |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |pp=62-64 |isbn=978-0-19-532563-8}}</ref>


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* ''[[Tartuffe]]'' (1664) by [[Molière]]
* ''[[Mahomet (play)|Le fanatisme, ou Mahomet le prophète]]'' (1736) by [[Voltaire]], notable for its [[Criticism of Muhammad|critical depiction of Muhammad]],<ref name="Quinn 62-64">{{cite book |last=Quinn |first=Frederick |date=2008 |title=The Sum of All Heresies: The Image of Islam in Western Thought |location=New York City |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |pages=62–64 |isbn=978-0-19-532563-8}}</ref> described as a [[Self-deception|self-deceived]],<ref name="Almond1989">{{cite book |last=Almond |first=Philip C. |date=1989 |title=Heretic and Hero: Muhammad and the Victorians |location=[[Wiesbaden]] |publisher=[[Harrassowitz Verlag]] |pages=33–35 |isbn=3-447-02913-7}}</ref> [[Perversion|perverted]]<ref name="Almond1989"/> [[Religious fanaticism|religious fanatic]] and [[Psychological manipulation|manipulator]],<ref name="Quinn 62-64"/><ref name="Almond1989"/> and his hunger for political power behind the [[History of Islam#Origins of Islam|foundation of Islam]].<ref name="Quinn 62-64"/><ref name="Almond1989"/>
* ''[[Inherit the Wind (play)|Inherit the Wind]]'' (1955), which fictionalizes the [[Scopes Monkey Trial]] of the 1920s
* ''[[Inherit the Wind (play)|Inherit the Wind]]'' (1955), which fictionalizes the [[Scopes Monkey Trial]] of the 1920s
* ''[[Mistero Buffo]]'' (1969) by [[Dario Fo]].
* ''[[Jerry Springer: The Opera]]'', notable for its irreverent treatment of [[Judeo-Christian]] themes
* ''[[Jerry Springer: The Opera]]'', notable for its irreverent treatment of [[Judeo-Christian]] themes
* ''[[A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant]]'' (2003), which makes fun of [[L. Ron Hubbard]] and [[Scientology]]
* ''[[A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant]]'' (2003), which makes fun of [[L. Ron Hubbard]] and [[Scientology]]
* ''[[Altar Boyz]]'' (2005) Off-Broadway musical about Christian Boysband
* ''[[Altar Boyz]]'' (2005) Off-Broadway musical about Christian Boysband
* ''[[Saturday's Voyeur]]'' is a parody of life in [[Utah]] and [[Mormon culture]]
* ''[[Saturday's Voyeur]]'' is a parody of life in [[Utah]] and [[Mormon culture]]
* ''[[The Book of Mormon (musical)|The Book of Mormon]]'' (2011) A broadway production about two young Mormon Missionaries sent to Uganda, written by [[South Park]] creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone
* ''[[The Book of Mormon (musical)|The Book of Mormon]]'' (2011) A broadway production about two young Mormon Missionaries sent to Uganda, written by [[South Park]] creators [[Trey Parker]] and [[Matt Stone]]
* ''Letting Go of God'' (2004), [[Julia Sweeney]], an autobiographical monologue taking aim at Catholicism and Mormonism
* ''Letting Go of God'' (2004), [[Julia Sweeney]], an autobiographical monologue taking aim at Catholicism and Mormonism


=== Television ===
=== Television ===
* ''[[The Barchester Chronicles]]'', 1982 television serial produced by the [[BBC]], from the [[Anthony Trollope]] novels satirizing Victorian clergy
* ''[[The Barchester Chronicles]]'', 1982 television serial produced by the [[BBC]], from the [[Anthony Trollope]] novels satirizing Victorian clergy
* ''[[Futurama]]'' episode "[[A Pharaoh to Remember]]" features a religious ceremony in which a [[priest]] chants, "Great Wall of Prophecy, reveal to us God's Will, that we might blindly obey!" and celebrants answer, "Free us from thought and responsibility."
* ''[[Futurama]]'' episode "[[A Pharaoh to Remember]]" features a religious ceremony in which a priest chants, "Great Wall of Prophecy, reveal to us God's Will, that we might blindly obey!" and celebrants answer, "Free us from thought and responsibility."
*''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'' has episodes that have satirized Orthodox Judaism and Christianity
*''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'' has episodes that have satirized Orthodox Judaism and Christianity
* ''[[South Park]]'' has satirized [[Christianity]], [[Mormonism]], [[Judaism]], [[Islam]], [[Scientology]], and other religions
* ''[[South Park]]'' has satirized [[Christianity]], [[Mormonism]], [[Judaism]], [[Islam]], [[Scientology]], and other religions
* ''[[Family Guy]]'' has satirized elements of [[Christianity]] and other religions in several episodes
* ''[[Family Guy]]'' has satirized elements of Christianity and other religions in several episodes
* Satirical Australian documentary miniseries ''[[John Safran vs God]]'' (2004)
* Satirical Australian documentary miniseries ''[[John Safran vs God]]'' (2004)
* British [[sitcom]] ''[[Father Ted]]'', which lampooned the role of the Catholic Church in Ireland
* British sitcom ''[[Father Ted]]'', which lampooned the role of the Catholic Church in Ireland
* ''[[Blackadder]]'' episode "[[The Archbishop]]" sees Edmund invested as Archbishop of Canterbury amid a Machiavellian plot by the King to acquire lands from the Catholic Church. In Series 2, in the episode "[[Money (Blackadder)|Money]]", the Bishop of Bath and Wells comments "Never, in all my years, have I encountered such cruel and foul-minded perversity! Have you ever considered a career in the church?"
* ''[[Blackadder]]'' episode "[[The Archbishop]]" sees Edmund invested as Archbishop of Canterbury amid a Machiavellian plot by the King to acquire lands from the Catholic Church. In Series 2, in the episode "[[Money (Blackadder)|Money]]", the Bishop of Bath and Wells comments "Never, in all my years, have I encountered such cruel and foul-minded perversity! Have you ever considered a career in the church?"


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* ''[[Sinfest]]'', an internet comic strip by [[Tatsuya Ishida]] that frequently stresses religious issues (since 2000)
* ''[[Sinfest]]'', an internet comic strip by [[Tatsuya Ishida]] that frequently stresses religious issues (since 2000)
* Semiweekly comic ''[[Jesus and Mo]]'' (since 2005)
* Semiweekly comic ''[[Jesus and Mo]]'' (since 2005)
* Comedic short film series ''[[Mr. Deity]]'', which stars God, his assistant, Jesus, Lucifer, and several other characters from the ''[[Bible]]'' (since 2006)
* Comedic short film series ''[[Mr. Deity]]'', which stars God, his assistant, Jesus, Lucifer, and several other characters from the ''Bible'' (since 2006)
* The ''[[LOLCat Bible Translation Project]]'', a [[wiki]]-based project by Martin Grondin (since 2007)
* The ''[[LOLCat Bible Translation Project]]'', a [[wiki]]-based project by Martin Grondin (since 2007)
* ''[[Net Authority]]'', a site that purported to be a Christian Internet censorship site (2001-2008).
* ''[[Net Authority]]'', a site that purported to be a Christian Internet censorship site (2001–2008).
*[[The Babylon Bee]], a parody news site, mainly focusing on satirizing [[Evangelicalism|American Evangelical Christianity]] from a conservative Evangelical perspective (since 2016)


=== People ===
=== People ===
* [[Betty Bowers]] plays a character called "America's Best Christian". In the persona of a [[right-wing]] evangelical Christian, she references Bible verses, using the persona to point out the inconsistencies in the Bible
* [[Betty Bowers]] plays a character called "America's Best Christian". In the persona of a right-wing evangelical Christian, she references Bible verses, using the persona to point out the inconsistencies in the Bible


=== Parody religions ===
=== Parody religions ===
* Boogyism is a fun loving cult that follows the teachings of The Great Booga, an 8&nbsp;ft stuffed bunny look-alike who created the entire universe after an accident involving an unattended barbecue. It has its own [[religious text]], The Spiritual Arghh.
* Boogyism is a fun loving cult that follows the teachings of The Great Booga, an 8&nbsp;ft stuffed bunny look-alike who created the entire universe after an accident involving an unattended barbecue. It has its own [[religious text]], The Spiritual Arghh.
* The [[Flying Spaghetti Monster]] is the [[deity]] of the "Pastafarian" [[parody religion]], which asserts that a [[supernatural]] [[Creator deity|creator]] resembling [[spaghetti with meatballs]] is responsible for the creation of the universe. Its purpose is to mock [[intelligent design]].
* The [[Flying Spaghetti Monster]] is the [[deity]] of the "Pastafarian" [[parody religion]], which asserts that a [[supernatural]] [[Creator deity|creator]] resembling [[spaghetti with meatballs]] is responsible for the creation of the universe. Its purpose is to mock [[intelligent design]].
* The [[Invisible Pink Unicorn]] is a [[goddess]] which takes the form of a [[unicorn]] that is [[paradox]]ically both invisible ''and'' pink. These attributes serve to satirize the apparent contradictions in properties which some attribute to a theistic God, specifically omniscience, omnipotence, and omnibenevolence.
* The [[Invisible Pink Unicorn]] is a [[goddess]] which takes the form of a [[unicorn]] that is [[paradox]]ically both invisible {{em|and}} pink. These attributes serve to satirize the apparent contradictions in properties which some attribute to a theistic God, specifically omniscience, omnipotence, and omnibenevolence.
* [[Dinkoism]] or Dinkamatham is a parody religion and social movement that emerged and evolved on social networks<ref name= GRAPHICS>{{cite web |url= https://graphicshelf.com/curious-case-lord-dinkan/ |title= The Curious Case of Lord Dinkan |publisher= Graphics Shelf.com |date= 23 November 2017 |access-date= 9 June 2021 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20210610011217/https://graphicshelf.com/curious-case-lord-dinkan/ |archive-date= 10 June 2021 |url-status= live}}</ref> organized by independent welfare groups.<ref name="twsNIE1">{{cite web |url= http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Dinkoists-Gather-Under-a-Troll-Tree/2016/03/21/article3337791.ece |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160325143022/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Dinkoists-Gather-Under-a-Troll-Tree/2016/03/21/article3337791.ece |url-status= dead |archive-date= 25 March 2016 |author= Express News Service |date= 21 March 2016 |publisher= [[The New Indian Express]] |title= 'Dinkoists' Gather Under a Troll Tree |access-date= 12 October 2020 |quote=...threatening calls and opposition from staunch religious followers... the social media religion, ‘Dinkoists’ here on Sunday. ... no official registration ... attention entirely through Facebook... }}</ref> The [[BBC]] described Dinkoism in 2016 as an atheist movement with significant growth on social media.<ref name= "BBC Mouse">{{Cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-36001999 |title= The mouse messiah bringing salvation to India's atheists |work= [[BBC News]] |date= 11 April 2016 |access-date= 12 October 2020}}</ref> With its own scripture Dinka Puranam and [[Balamangalam]]<ref name= NEWSMINUTE>{{cite web |url= https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/keralas-dinkoists-take-akshaya-tritiya-hit-market-their-brand-underwear-42811 |title= Kerala's Dinkoists take on Akshaya Tritiya, hit the market with their brand of underwear |work= [[The News Minute]] |author= Megha Varier |date= 6 May 2016 |access-date= 9 June 2021 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20210610004349/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/keralas-dinkoists-take-akshaya-tritiya-hit-market-their-brand-underwear-42811 |archive-date= 10 June 2021 |url-status= live}}</ref><ref name= GRAPHICS/>
* [[Discordianism]] is centered around the ancient [[Greco-Roman]] goddess of chaos, [[Eris (mythology)|Eris]], but draws much of its tone from [[Zen Buddhism]], Christianity, and the [[beatnik]] and [[hippie]] [[counterculture]]s of the 1950s and 1960s (respectively). Its main holy book, the ''[[Principia Discordia]]'' contains things such as a commandment to "not believe anything that you read," and a claim that all statements are both true and false at the same time.
* [[Discordianism]] is centered around the ancient [[Greco-Roman]] goddess of chaos, [[Eris (mythology)|Eris]], but draws much of its tone from [[Zen Buddhism]], Christianity, and the [[beatnik]] and [[hippie]] [[counterculture]]s of the 1950s and 1960s (respectively). Its main holy book, the ''[[Principia Discordia]]'' contains things such as a commandment to "not believe anything that you read",{{cite quote|date=April 2024}} and proposes that all statements are both true and false at the same time.{{cn|date=April 2024}} There is some discourse as to whether Discordianism should be regarded as a parody religion, and if so, to what degree.{{sfnmp|1a1=Robertson|1y=2012|2a1=Robertson|2y=2016}}
* The [[Church of the SubGenius]] pokes fun at many different religions, particularly [[Scientology]], [[Televangelism]] (and its associated scandals), and other modern beliefs.
* The [[Church of the SubGenius]] pokes fun at many different religions, particularly [[Scientology]], [[Televangelism]] (and its associated scandals), and other modern beliefs.
* The worship of "Ceiling Cat" among [[Lolcat]]s. Ceiling Cat's enemy is Basement Cat, a black cat representing the [[devil]].
* The worship of "Ceiling Cat" among [[Lolcat]]s. Ceiling Cat's enemy is Basement Cat, a black cat representing the [[devil]].
Line 113: Line 132:
* [[The Brick Testament]], a project in which the stories of the Bible are illustrated with [[Lego]].
* [[The Brick Testament]], a project in which the stories of the Bible are illustrated with [[Lego]].
* [[Purim Torah]], traditional parodies of Jewish life written out, and/or acted out, for the holiday of [[Purim]].
* [[Purim Torah]], traditional parodies of Jewish life written out, and/or acted out, for the holiday of [[Purim]].
* "[[Sheep (Pink Floyd song)|Sheep]]" by progressive rock band [[Pink Floyd]] includes a humorous version of [[Psalm 23]].
* "[[Jesus He Knows Me]]" by rock band [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], a 1991 response to the then-current televangelism scandals


==Reactions, criticism and censorship==
==Reactions, criticism and censorship==


Religious satire has been criticised by those who feel that sincerely held religious views should not
Religious satire has been criticised by those who feel that sincerely held religious views should not
be subject to ridicule. In some cases religious satire has been censored - for example, Molière's play ''[[Tartuffe]]'' was banned in 1664.
be subject to ridicule. In some cases religious satire has been censored – for example, Molière's play ''[[Tartuffe]]'' was banned in 1664.


The film ''[[Life of Brian]]'' was initially banned in Ireland, Norway, some states of the US, and some towns and councils of the United Kingdom.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/7530542.stm Vicar supports Life of Brian ban]</ref> In an interesting case of life mirroring art, activist groups who protested the film during its release bore striking similarities to some bands of religious zealots within the film itself.<ref>Dyke, C: ''Screening Scripture'', pp. 238-240. Trinity Press International, 2002</ref> Like much religious satire, the intent of the film has been misinterpreted and distorted by protesters. According to the [[Monty Python|Pythons]], ''Life of Brian'' is not a critique of religion so much as an indictment of the hysteria and bureaucratic excess that often surrounds it.<ref>{{cite web |title= The Secret Life of Brian |year= 2007 |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDCAJTrF1gg }}</ref>
The film ''[[Life of Brian]]'' was initially banned in Ireland, Norway, some states of the US, and some towns and councils of the United Kingdom.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/7530542.stm Vicar supports Life of Brian ban]</ref> In an interesting case of life mirroring art, activist groups who protested the film during its release bore striking similarities to some bands of religious zealots within the film itself.<ref>Dyke, C: ''Screening Scripture'', pp. 238–240. Trinity Press International, 2002</ref> Like much religious satire, the intent of the film has been misinterpreted and distorted by protesters. According to the [[Monty Python|Pythons]], ''Life of Brian'' is not a critique of religion so much as an indictment of the hysteria and bureaucratic excess that often surrounds it.<ref>{{cite web |title= The Secret Life of Brian |website= [[YouTube]] |year= 2007 |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDCAJTrF1gg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128155105/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDCAJTrF1gg |archive-date=2011-11-28 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


The issue of [[freedom of speech]] was hotly debated by the UK Parliament during the passing of the [[Religious Hatred Bill]] in January 2006. Critics of the original version of the Bill (such as comedian [[Rowan Atkinson]]) feared that satirists could be prosecuted, but an amendment by the [[House of Lords]] making it clear that this was not the case was passed - by just one vote.<ref>{{cite web |title = Votes on the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill | year = 2006 | url = http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/search.php?query=racial+and+religious+hatred+bill }}</ref>
The issue of [[freedom of speech]] was hotly debated by the UK Parliament during the passing of the [[Religious Hatred Bill]] in January 2006. Critics of the original version of the Bill (such as comedian [[Rowan Atkinson]]) feared that satirists could be prosecuted, but an amendment by the [[House of Lords]] making it clear that this was not the case was passed – by just one vote.<ref>{{cite web |title = Votes on the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill | year = 2006 | url = http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/search.php?query=racial+and+religious+hatred+bill }}</ref>


In 2006, [[Church of the SubGenius#Legal matters|Rachel Bevilacqua]], a member of the [[Church of the SubGenius]], known as Rev. Magdalen in the SubGenius hierarchy, lost custody and contact with her son after a district court judge took offense at her participation in the Church's [[X-Day (Church of the SubGenius)|X-Day]] festival.
In 2006, Rachel Bevilacqua, a member of the [[Church of the SubGenius]], known as Rev. Magdalen in the SubGenius hierarchy, lost custody and contact with her son after a district court judge took offense at her participation in the Church's [[X-Day (Church of the SubGenius)|X-Day]] festival.{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}}

[[Richard Dawkins]] frequently points out that there is no reason to exclude religion from objective studying like any other social phenomena.{{cn|date=September 2018}}


==See also==
==See also==
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

===Works cited===
* {{cite book |last=Robertson |first=David G. |editor1-first=Carole M. |editor1-last=Cusack |editor2-first=Alex |editor2-last=Norman |title=Handbook of New Religions and Cultural Production |year=2012 |publisher=Brill |isbn=978-90-04-22187-1 |chapter=Making the Donkey Visible: Discordianism in the Works of Robert Anton Wilson |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5aRyJ-vbrJsC&dq=Discordia&pg=PA421 |pages=421–444}}
* {{cite book |last=Robertson |first=David G. |chapter=SubGenius vs The Conspiracy: Playfulness and sincerity in invented religions |editor1-first=Carole M. |editor1-last=Cusack |editor2-first=Pavol |editor2-last=Kosnáč |title=Fiction, Invention and Hyper-reality: From Popular Culture to Religion |year=2016 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-317-13549-4 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0CIlDwAAQBAJ}}

{{relphilpop}}
{{relphilpop}}


{{criticism of religion}}
{{criticism of religion}}


[[Category:Religious parodies and satires| ]]
[[Category:Religious parodies and satire| ]]
[[Category:Criticism of religion]]
[[Category:Criticism of religion]]
[[Category:Religious comedy and humour|Satire]]
[[Category:Religious comedy and humour|Satire]]

Latest revision as of 16:30, 21 November 2024

From a series of woodcuts (1545) usually referred to as the Papstspotbilder or Papstspottbilder in German or Depictions of the Papacy in English,[1] by Lucas Cranach, commissioned by Martin Luther.[2] Title: Kissing the Pope's Feet.[3] German peasants respond to a papal bull of Pope Paul III. Caption reads: "Don't frighten us Pope, with your ban, and don't be such a furious man. Otherwise we shall turn around and show you our rears."[4][5]

Religious satire is a form of satire that refers to religious beliefs and can take the form of texts, plays, films, and parody.[6] From the earliest times, at least since the plays of Aristophanes, religion has been one of the three primary topics of literary satire, along with politics and sex.[7][8][9] Satire which targets the clergy is a type of political satire, while religious satire is that which targets religious beliefs.[6] Religious satire is also sometimes called philosophical satire, and is thought to be the result of agnosticism or atheism. Notable works of religious satire surfaced during the Renaissance, with works by Geoffrey Chaucer, Erasmus and Albrecht Dürer.

Religious satire has been criticised and at times censored to avoid offence, for example the film Life of Brian was initially banned in Ireland, Norway, some states of the US, and some towns and councils of the United Kingdom. This potential for censorship often leads to debates on the issue of freedom of speech such as in the case of the Religious Hatred Bill in January 2006. Critics of the original version of the Bill (such as comedian Rowan Atkinson) feared that satirists could be prosecuted.

Notable examples of religious satire and satirists

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American comedian George Carlin was well known for his routines satirizing religion.
Bill Maher, satirist behind the film Religulous

Films and documentaries

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Characters

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Literature and publications

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Caricature of the Crimean Tatar educator and intellectual Ismail Gasprinsky (on the right), leader of the Jadid movement, depicted holding the newspaper Terjuman ("The Translator") and the textbook Khoja-i-Sübyan ("The Teacher of Children") in his hand. Two men, respectively Tatar and Azerbaijani Muslim clerics, are threatening him with takfīr and sharīʿah decrees (on the left). From the satirical magazine Molla Nasreddin, N. 17, 28 April 1908, Tbilisi (illustrator: Oskar Schmerling).

Plays and musicals

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Frontispiece of the 1753 edition of Voltaire's play Le fanatisme, ou Mahomet le Prophète

Television

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  • The Barchester Chronicles, 1982 television serial produced by the BBC, from the Anthony Trollope novels satirizing Victorian clergy
  • Futurama episode "A Pharaoh to Remember" features a religious ceremony in which a priest chants, "Great Wall of Prophecy, reveal to us God's Will, that we might blindly obey!" and celebrants answer, "Free us from thought and responsibility."
  • Curb Your Enthusiasm has episodes that have satirized Orthodox Judaism and Christianity
  • South Park has satirized Christianity, Mormonism, Judaism, Islam, Scientology, and other religions
  • Family Guy has satirized elements of Christianity and other religions in several episodes
  • Satirical Australian documentary miniseries John Safran vs God (2004)
  • British sitcom Father Ted, which lampooned the role of the Catholic Church in Ireland
  • Blackadder episode "The Archbishop" sees Edmund invested as Archbishop of Canterbury amid a Machiavellian plot by the King to acquire lands from the Catholic Church. In Series 2, in the episode "Money", the Bishop of Bath and Wells comments "Never, in all my years, have I encountered such cruel and foul-minded perversity! Have you ever considered a career in the church?"

Characters

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On the web

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People

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  • Betty Bowers plays a character called "America's Best Christian". In the persona of a right-wing evangelical Christian, she references Bible verses, using the persona to point out the inconsistencies in the Bible

Parody religions

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Miscellaneous

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Reactions, criticism and censorship

[edit]

Religious satire has been criticised by those who feel that sincerely held religious views should not be subject to ridicule. In some cases religious satire has been censored – for example, Molière's play Tartuffe was banned in 1664.

The film Life of Brian was initially banned in Ireland, Norway, some states of the US, and some towns and councils of the United Kingdom.[18] In an interesting case of life mirroring art, activist groups who protested the film during its release bore striking similarities to some bands of religious zealots within the film itself.[19] Like much religious satire, the intent of the film has been misinterpreted and distorted by protesters. According to the Pythons, Life of Brian is not a critique of religion so much as an indictment of the hysteria and bureaucratic excess that often surrounds it.[20]

The issue of freedom of speech was hotly debated by the UK Parliament during the passing of the Religious Hatred Bill in January 2006. Critics of the original version of the Bill (such as comedian Rowan Atkinson) feared that satirists could be prosecuted, but an amendment by the House of Lords making it clear that this was not the case was passed – by just one vote.[21]

In 2006, Rachel Bevilacqua, a member of the Church of the SubGenius, known as Rev. Magdalen in the SubGenius hierarchy, lost custody and contact with her son after a district court judge took offense at her participation in the Church's X-Day festival.[citation needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Oberman, Heiko Augustinus (1 January 1994). The Impact of the Reformation: Essays. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. ISBN 9780802807328 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ Luther's Last Battles: Politics And Polemics 1531–46 By Mark U. Edwards, Jr. Fortress Press, 2004. ISBN 978-0-8006-3735-4
  3. ^ In Latin, the title reads "Hic oscula pedibus papae figuntur"
  4. ^ "Nicht Bapst: nicht schreck uns mit deim ban, Und sey nicht so zorniger man. Wir thun sonst ein gegen wehre, Und zeigen dirs Bel vedere"
  5. ^ Mark U. Edwards, Jr., Luther's Last Battles: Politics And Polemics 1531–46 (2004), p. 199
  6. ^ a b Hodgart (2009) p.39
  7. ^ Clark (1991) pp.116–8 quotation:

    ...religion, politics, and sexuality are the primary stuff of literary satire. Among these sacret targets, matters costive and defecatory play an important part. ... from the earliest times, satirists have used scatological and bathroom humor. Aristophanes, always livid and nearly scandalous in his religious, political, and sexual references...
  8. ^ Clark, John R. and Motto, Anna Lydia (1973) Satire—that blasted art p.20
  9. ^ Clark, John R. and Motto, Anna Lydia (1980) Menippeans & Their Satire: Concerning Monstrous Leamed Old Dogs and Hippocentaurs, in Scholia satyrica, Volume 6, 3/4, 1980 p.45 quotation:

    [Chapple's book Soviet satire of the twenties]...classifying the very topics his satirists satirized: housing, food, and fuel supplies, poverty, inflation, "hooliganism", public services, religion, stereotypes of nationals (the Englishman, German, &c), &c. Yet the truth of the matter is that no satirist worth his salt (Petronius, Chaucer, Rabelais, Swift, Leskov, Grass) ever avoids man's habits and living standards, or scants those delicate desiderata: religion, politics, and sex.
  10. ^ "Al-Maʿarrī (Biography)". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. May 2018.
  11. ^ a b c Quinn, Frederick (2008). The Sum of All Heresies: The Image of Islam in Western Thought. New York City: Oxford University Press. pp. 62–64. ISBN 978-0-19-532563-8.
  12. ^ a b c d Almond, Philip C. (1989). Heretic and Hero: Muhammad and the Victorians. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag. pp. 33–35. ISBN 3-447-02913-7.
  13. ^ a b "The Curious Case of Lord Dinkan". Graphics Shelf.com. 23 November 2017. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  14. ^ Express News Service (21 March 2016). "'Dinkoists' Gather Under a Troll Tree". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2020. ...threatening calls and opposition from staunch religious followers... the social media religion, 'Dinkoists' here on Sunday. ... no official registration ... attention entirely through Facebook...
  15. ^ "The mouse messiah bringing salvation to India's atheists". BBC News. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  16. ^ Megha Varier (6 May 2016). "Kerala's Dinkoists take on Akshaya Tritiya, hit the market with their brand of underwear". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  17. ^ Robertson (2012); Robertson (2016).
  18. ^ Vicar supports Life of Brian ban
  19. ^ Dyke, C: Screening Scripture, pp. 238–240. Trinity Press International, 2002
  20. ^ "The Secret Life of Brian". YouTube. 2007. Archived from the original on 28 November 2011.
  21. ^ "Votes on the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill". 2006.

Works cited

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