Larry David’s Jesus joke
David's character accidentally pees on Jesus in a 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' scene. Some Christians aren't laughing
Larry David: Comedy or blasphemy?
(Gary Caskey/epa/Corbis)
Religious groups are denouncing a boundary-pushing new episode of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm in which star Larry David inadvertently urinates on a picture of Jesus Christ, leading other characters to believe the image is miraculously weeping. (Watch the scene.) Bill Donahue at the Catholic League has gone so far as to call for David to quit his own show, and commentators are asking: Is David really anti-Christian, or was he just taking a pee?
The show crossed a line: While “people who find images of religious figures in pieces of toast” are ripe for “satirical fun,” says Catholic blogger The Anchoress in First Things, this went too far. It takes “no courage” for a “rich, unbelieving artist” to urinate on Christ. If David is interested at taking provocative potshots at sacred cows, why doesn’t he relieve himself on a picture of President Obama?
“Would he piss on an image of Obama?”
David wouldn’t dare pick on other religions like this: Christians should be taking to the streets over this, say the editors of Georgia’s The Augusta Chronicle. “You can bet your Muslim friends would be.” But because Christians are “more tolerant” than other faiths—remember the violent outrage over cartoons of Muhammad?—they are more “target-rich for ridicule and derision.”
“What now—curb your outrage?”
David is an equal-opportunity offender: “I’m still trying to figure out what conservatives expect from Larry David,” says Simon Maloy in Media Matters. David “routinely mocks” sundry religions, including his own Jewish faith. And no, Muslims aren’t exempt: In one episode he sets up a friend with a less-than-stunning Muslim woman whose “unsightly features are hidden by her burqa.”
“Curb your hypocrisy”
Would Christ himself even be offended? Come on, this is “much ado about nothing,” says John Romano in Yes, But However. Who wants to be part of a religion that’s “afraid of its own shadow?” My fellow Christians need to get thicker skin: “JC can handle whatever Mr. David has to dole out.”
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34 Comments
Posted by Mark Young, Friday, October 30, 2009, 4:56 am Good for Lary David! He doesn't need to apologize for insulting idiots, and from past uproars over Seinfeld episodes, I know that he won't.
Posted by Ben Keebler, Friday, October 30, 2009, 7:16 am There is something wrong with Catholics and their worship of idols anyway. Most real Christians would agree that an image is not Christ himself.
Posted by BigAl, Friday, October 30, 2009, 8:44 am First of all isn't a basic Christian idea to forgive? And as for muslims killing and burning over a cartoon, I find that as backwards as a religious edict to kill nonbelievers for being nonmuslim. Imagine if they'd pissed on the cartoon? I also agree with Keebler, You shall not make for yourself an idol,... is this not idolatry? I find it hard to take seriously anyone who would pray to a piece of toast as holy item. I also saw a CYE show where he made fun of going out with a woman in a wheelchair not a word I think it's good satire
Posted by Christopher, Friday, October 30, 2009, 9:02 am I'll get upset about it when Christians stop peeing on the gay community, the constitution, the right of women to have abortions, and the separation of church and state. As for the Muslims, I'd pee on Mohammed too.
Posted by JC and the sunshine band, Friday, October 30, 2009, 9:15 am Keep it coming Larry! Religion is untaxed business, its the morons that give them money that they pee on who should be upset.
Posted by Ray, Friday, October 30, 2009, 10:34 am Of course, cartoon shows such as Family Guy and South Park have been doing this kind of thing for years. They make fun of Christ, Satan, cripples and even people with Anal Cancer. They also have our children saying words such as Hell, Damn, Bitch, Bastard, and Crap like they're okay to say. The reason there is so much violence among young people is due to the constant diet of negativity. Cable T.v. leaves it up to parents to filter out all these nasty shows. Yeah, like that really happens.
Posted by Aaron, Friday, October 30, 2009, 11:49 am It was a funny episode. Not the best of CYE by far to wit: the end of Season 4 the Tourette syndromecursing chef at Larry's restaurant on opening night...priceless. But still funny. Let's not take it too serious.
Posted by Larry Parvin, Friday, October 30, 2009, 11:55 am Larry David will not be laughing one day when he stands eye to eye with the one he is mocking. You are right though when you say we are more tolerant than the others. That is what Jesus has taught us to be. Time for tolerance will be done away with my Him! Are you ready Larry David? Hey Larry, either straighten up or change your name. Larry Parvin
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