Jeune Street

Katherine Marshall, Executive Director of the World Faiths Development Dialogue, calls for more religious laughter:

In questioning where humor is cruel or kind, it is worth remembering two key elements of good comedy. The best humor is often directed at oneself. And timing is everything. Many of the best religious jokes have a punch line that returns to the teller's own faith: the rabbi tweaks Judaism and the Presbyterian minister ends the joke with a surprise insight into his sober faith. In the current global environment where we so badly need to build and cement a nuanced and thoughtful appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of all religions, Islam included, and to turn our commitment to human rights into something that that truly enhances the human condition, the timing and tenor of jokes need wisdom more than legislation, good timing more than bans.

Cue Omid Djalili: