Should the Church Be Above Mocking?

Elizabeth Molo’s commentary on the derision of Catholicism as represented by the entertainment industry (“For Goodness’ Sake: Why Do We Deride Decency?,” Counterpunch, Dec. 14) is a perfect example of why there are no stand-up comics who do Catholic shtick. People who suffer from Catholicism have, in varying degrees, no sense of humor. I mention “suffer” as it is one of the more popular words found in Catholic prayer books.

After wearing the plaid (yet strangely sexy) grade-school uniform of a Catholic girl for nine years, I for one am delighted to see the “image” and “symbolism” of the Catholic Corporation mocked in film and television. There is humor in all things, and the Catholic Church is not above taking a little ribbing about its own self-righteous seriousness.

EILEEN TURNER

Marina del Rey

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Bravo for Molo’s defense of Catholicism. Too many people, both nominal Catholics and non-Catholics alike, are totally ignorant of the Catholic faith and its beliefs. It’s terrible to think that these so-called “artists” and “activists” are able to mold Americans’ viewpoints on Catholicism with such an irreverence that defames the church and defiles God himself.

Will we ever reach a point when the producers and writers of Hollywood will produce movies, television series and sitcoms that will inspire and cheer rather than defile, defame and play to the lowest common denominator?

GENNARO CIBELLI DU TERROIL

Newport Beach

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I am always amazed and disheartened by the continued attack on humor. People who lack a sense of humor about themselves and the institutions they belong to leave us to face a bleak and somnambulist future at best, or a strident and polemic dialogue/demagoguery at worst. Molo’s attack on any humor aimed at the institutions, practices and rituals of the Catholic Church is but one more in an endless, politically correct world of serious victimization of our entire society.

Humor often is a way for us to express differences of opinion without the pejorative connotation of moral self-righteousness. We express our observations, our opinions, and we “make light of them.” Our opinions! Not our subject matter!

Humor is not the culprit! Humor gives us an outlet and offers us hope. When the humor goes--then is the time to watch out.

LARRY D. GNEITING

Whittier

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Thanks for publishing Molo’s article. As a practicing Catholic, I am deeply offended by some movies and television shows that disparage the most sacred aspects of our religion. Perhaps the writers should visit convalescent homes and witness the joy of those who receive Holy Communion, or walk with the local priest as he ministers to the sick, the bereaved and the dying.

CAROL HAUTH

Tarzana