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Beyond Belief

Religion & Ethics

Series exploring the place and nature of faith in today's world

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Beyond Belief: Hay Festival Special: Religion and Humour

27/08/2018

Hay Festival Special: Religion and Humour

BBC Radio 4 - Beyond Belief, Hay Festival Special: Religion and Humour

Ernie Rea asks four comedians how far they are prepared to go when it comes to combining humour and religion.

When it comes to religion, what is an acceptable target? God surely must enjoy a joke. Why else would he have created mankind? But are those who worship him fair game for comedians? Undoubtedly certain religions have been the source of much humour. Jewish comics such as Joan Rivers, Woody Allen and Groucho Marx have always been willing to make fun of their culture but should they also poke fun at their religion and how do you disentangle culture from religion? If you enjoy laughing at the culture and beliefs of your own community, is it acceptable to make jokes about a culture and religion to which you do not belong? Where should we draw the line between freedom of speech and the need to respect the beliefs of others? Taking a look at religion and humour a multi-faith panel of comedian discuss the question: How far can you go?

The panel:

Tez Ilyas
Pippa Evans
Bennett Arron
Paul Kerensa

Producer: Helen Lee.

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