But on a broader level, our culture (I’m assuming you’re in the U.S.) denigrates non-believers at every turn. This habit is so ingrained that it’s automatic, and few even notice it’s happening. Further, the actual subculture I do identify with–the stoner slacker intellectuals–is *actively* ridiculed by the vast majority. No complaints: That’s how the cookie crumbles, and we ridicule ourselves, too. But it certainly means that I’m not going to apologize to anyone whose people may include the next president, when my people are a national joke.

I like to think that I’m as fun loving as the next guy. I do laugh at people making jokes at my expense, and at my religions and the stereotypes about it.

But at some point so-called “innocent” comments become offensive, even if you didn’t know they were offensive. Worse, it becomes OK to tell a joke about one group and not another. [I admit you don't seem to be doing that.]

I guess more than anything, your statement “I think it’s OK to claim that anyone’s religion’s metaphysics are entertaining” seems to imply that you are not religious, and therefore think that it is OK ot make fun of anyone’s religion, because you think no religion is superior. If that is accurate, then how can you be sure that you aren’t offending others?

Oh, and, BTW, the last I heard Halladay had stopped going to Church — so perhaps the “fairly entertaining” Mormon beliefs aren’t even relevant in his case?

I do know a fair bit about Mormonism, more than your average bear. But I wasn’t making any particular point about Mormonism except that it’s fun to make fun of because it’s less familiar (to me and to most) than your run-of-the-mill Christianity. Its history and metaphysics are no more or less ridiculous than, say, Hinduism or Catholicism, but it’s more fun to make fun of.