A saving grace of the human condition is a sense of humor. Many writers and witnesses, guessing the connection between sexual repression and religious fervor, have managed to rescue themselves and others from its deadly grip by the exercise of wit. And much of religion is so laughable that writers from Voltaire to Bertrand Russell to Chapman Cohen have had great fun at its expense.

When my brother-in-law was studying in England, he would send me information on British comedy beyond the classic Monty Python-Benny Hill schtick. On a visit to England, he treated me to the world of Rowan Atkinson. I have been a devoted fan of Black Adder ever since. You have to watch the episodes several times because LANGUAGE is so important in this comedy routine.

Summary:

“Great Booze Up, Edmund”

Edmund Blackadder is trying to wheedle his inheritance from puritanical relatives while at the same time hosting a wild drinking party in the adjacent room. The costumes that the religiously constipated relatives wear are incredibly hilarious. Check out the crosses sticking upright on their heads and shoulders. Pure genius!






I would love to dress Rep. Sally Kern of Oklahoma in a chigger-infested, itchy, crucifix-laden tunic. For those of you who don’t know, Jesus-drunk Sally recently delivered quite a paranoid hate speech against gays where she accused them of being more dangerous to society than your run-of-the-mill-strap-on-Islamofascist or Christian zealot.

Rep. Sally Kearns: