Asymmetric Religion and Philosophy

I'd like to look at another issue Carlin is associated with: religion. It's not an attack on the now deceased Carlin, who seems to have been a good guy and enjoyed great success- R.I.P., again.

"The whole problem with this idea of obscenity and indecency, and all of these things — bad language and whatever — it's all caused by one basic thing, and that is: religious superstition," Carlin told the AP in a 2004 interview. "There's an idea that the human body is somehow evil and bad and there are parts of it that are especially evil and bad, and we should be ashamed. Fear, guilt and shame are built into the attitude toward sex and the body. ... It's reflected in these prohibitions and these taboos that we have."

Hearing a few of Carin's routines over the years, especially over last summer with Sirius Comedy, I came to sense a pattern with Carlin's political routines. It's the kind of stuff that seems profound (whether it's funny seems undeniable, I think.), but on sober examination, isn't.

Carlin wore clothes. I assume that Carlin insisted his children wear clothes. I especially think that if his daughter had wanted to go to school naked, he would have objected. Why? Because the body is inherently evil (This is Manichaism, a philosophy condemned by the Church.)? No, because people are sexual beings and it's probably not a good idea for men to be continuously aroused by sexual images. Why? Well, besides angering one's boss due to the inevitable lack of productivity, it takes one's mind away from the ideal sexual relationship, one within marriage. The kind, by the way, that Carlin must have had with his wife, whom I imagine he didn't let out naked either.

Are we better off now with the more sexual atmosphere of the 00s than we were in the "repressive" 50s in which Carlin lived? I don't know, but it's not a ridiculous argument either way.

For Christians, sex needn't be a shameful thing unless you fail to contain it within the appropriate relationship. Should men and women be ashamed of non-married sex? Well, I think my wife would try to shame me. I think a young lady can feel pride in resisting at least some advances.

So, Very few people want no shame associated with some sexual acts and very few want a completely sexualized atmosphere. What we're really arguing is where to draw the line, a discussion that has gone on for thousands of years.