You’re right — a humorous treatment can prime audiences for serious inquiry. Even though I’ve been living in Arizona since the early nineties, I managed to learn nothing at all about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints until I saw HBO’s production of Angels in America, and “All About Mormons,” South Park’s skeptical recounting of the ministry of Mormon prophet Joseph Smith, Jr.

Neither made me into a Mormon, of course. But both filled me with an unexpected affection for the Church. Years later, when Mike Huckabee began attacking it, by way of discrediting Mitt Romney, I found I was one of few non-Mormons I knew who could parry his jabs effectively.

Perhaps because no such thing ever happened?

Other than that, very interesting article, Rabbi. Back in 1980 when “Life of Brian” came out, the ONLY person I knew who’d been FORBIDDEN to see it was a friend of mine who’s an Orthodox Jew.

So instead my friend had me describe the movie to him scene-by-scene.

BTW, you mention “members of the tribe.” As a white male, am I allowed to have a “tribe” too? Or are tribal thinking and feelings of ethnic loyalty permissible only for everybody EXCEPT Caucasian Christians?

I’m going to but this rabbi’s book & I never buy books!