Category Archives: Religion

The origin of Fish and Chips in Britain

The dish of white fish, typically cod or haddock, fried in a thin coat of flour, was a favourite particularly among Sephardic Jews, who fried it on Friday nights to prepare for the Sabbath, as the Mosaic laws prohibited cooking. … Continue reading

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Two idiots talk about hurricanes

First Idiot: Donald Trump, President of the United States Ray H.   Second Idiot: a gay hating Texan fundamentalist “Just last week the state of Texas failed to pass a bill patterned after the North Carolina bathroom bill that would … Continue reading

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The Pope goes for a drive in Washington

During a visit to America the Pope gets bored being driven around Washington. “Driver! I’ll take over for the time being.” “Certainly, Your Holiness,” says the driver. Because the Pope is infallible he starts driving like a maniac all around … Continue reading

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Jewish fathers and their sons

“Rabbi, I brought him up in the faith, gave him a very expensive Bar Mitzvah and spent a fortune educating him. Then last week he tells me he’s decided to be a Christian. Rabbi, where did I go wrong?” The … Continue reading

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A Dave Allen Joke

An elderly man walks into confessional. Elderly man: ‘I am 92 years old, have a wonderful wife of 70 years, many children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Yesterday, I picked up two college girls who were hitchhiking. We went to a … Continue reading

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Cardinal della Costa: an Italian hero in 1943

The Archbishop of Florence, Cardinal della Costa, has taken a courageous stand. When some of his nuns were arrested, in consequence of having given shelter to some Jewish women in their convent, the Cardinal, putting on his full panoply, went … Continue reading

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A Christian in the Roman Colosseum

Christian to the lion: You’re doing God’s work. Chris (inspired by Dave Allen)

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Traditional forms of punishment: Britain* 1700-1900

Traditionally, British judges sentencing criminals had five principal options: capital punishment, corporal punishment, exile, imprisonment and torture. Judges sentencing criminals to ‘savage’ sentences were using proportionate and appropriate punishments according to the expectations of the time. The sentences were anticipated … Continue reading

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A convenient miracle

An Irish priest was stopped for speeding in west London. The police officer smells alcohol on the priest’s breath and sees an empty wine bottle on the floor of the car. He says, “Sir, have you been drinking?” “Just water,” … Continue reading

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A philosopher contemplates death: Voltaire (1770)

In any case, Voltaire* added jocularly, he expected to die shortly and would soon find out who was right concerning immortality of the soul— Plato or Spinoza, Saint Paul or Epictetus, Christianity or Confucianism. *This is jocular because Voltaire was … Continue reading

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