Selective Snarking

David Harsanyi says enough Catholic bashing, already:

Talk show host Bill Maher last week accused Pope Benedict XVI of being a "Nazi" in his youth and heading up a "child-abusing religious cult"--or more precisely, "the Bear Stearns of organized pedophilia."

Now, undoubtedly, there is a treasure trove of amusement to be unearthed at the expense of fallen holy men. But Catholic bashing has gotten so obvious, so tedious, it seems only TV writers find it humorous anymore.

But hey, it's a free country, of course, so feel free to ridicule any group you desire. * See disclaimer below.

The thing is, the derision aimed at the Catholic Church, often using half-truths and over-the-top invective, unmasks a double standard.

The hysterical critics of the Catholic Church are many of the same folks who lecture us endlessly about the need to "build bridges" and develop mutual "understanding" with theocrats and tyrants.

They are the same folks who bristle at the very notion of labeling a nation "evil"--even if a nation happens to starve its people, threaten holy war, or allow death cults (like Hamas) to open embassies in their capitals.

The Catholic Church, apparently, is so wicked that the pope is cut less slack than Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Well, maybe if the Pope wasn't such an "old-fashioned" guy and wore some trendier clothes, the media would be a little friendlier.

Harsayni's disclaimer is worth noting:

* Except Scientologists. Muslims. And Jews. (Don't make us drag your name through the mud for 3,000 years.) Actually, to be safe, avoid mocking all religions other than Catholicism. Or any ethnic minority (other than the Irish, of course). Also, the gravitationally challenged, the elderly, polar bears, the underserved, Fidel Castro, etc...

You also wonder how much of the Catholic bashing is driven by the fact that the "brave" critics know that there will be no consequences for their derisive actions. No one is going to get thrown off the air or have their head cut off for mocking the Pope.