Hi, Joe:

Sometimes humor is nothing more than that. Many years ago, I took a bible study class in a Lutheran Church and our Pastor was the one who used to joke that all the biblical figures were blond and Scandinavian. They DID all look suspiciously like Troy Donohue. We just had a good laugh at it. When you get down to it, Jesus certainly wasn't "white" and didn't look like an American. Whatever Americans look like.

I do think that folks who ridicule the admittedly ridiculous aspects of any faith most likely carry some antagonism toward the faith... not just the product. But, a lot of the stuff IS funny. I'm comfortable enough with my faith not to be offended by it, as long as it doesn't get nasty.

I usedta be a Catholic and despite all the obvious problems in the church I still respect the basic tenets of the church. Some of the tenants should be kicked out, though.

Jerry