Found this by Irshad Manju, author of "The Trouble With Islam Today".

Thought it puts it pretty well.

"When Muslims put the prophet on a pedestal, we are engaging in idolatry of our own. The point of monotheism is to worship one God. not God's emissaries. Which is why humility requires people of faith to mock themselves--and each other--once in a while."

Then he also offers this, his illustration of the technique.

A rabbi, a priest and a mullah meet at a conference about religion, and afterwards are sitting around discussing their different faiths. The conversation turns to the topic of taboos. The priest says to the mullah and the rabbi: "You guys can't tell me that you've never eaten pork". "Never!" intones the rabbi. "Absolutely not!" insists the mullah. But the priest is skeptical. "Come on, not even once?" Maybe in a fit of rebellion, when you were younger?" "OK" confesses the rabbi. "When I was young, I once nibbled on bacon". "I admit it", the mullah laughs-- (not excessively- Islam has a teaching against "excessive laughter".) " In a fit of youthful arrogance, I sampled a pork chop".

The conversation turns to the priest's religious observances. "You can't tell me you've never had sex" says the mullah. The priest protests: "Of course not! I took a vow of chastity". The mullah and rabbi roll their eyes. "Maybe after a few drinks?" the rabbi teases. The mullah wonders "Perhaps, in a moment of temptation, your faith waned?" "OK," the priest confesses, "Once, when I was in seminary school, I had sexual relations with a woman".

"Beats pork, huh?" say the mullah and the rabbi.