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Satire

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ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE
Under a clear blue sky, Brian, a practical joker and incurable optimist starts to sing ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life’, a toe tapping tune which convinces those crucified with him to join in as they face an agonising death.
Is this mocking religion or is it provoking the audience to challenge their way of thinking? In today’s world, should movies, cartoons or books be allowed to satirize religion? As I live in a world which encourages freedom of speech and thought, I believe satire creates debate.
Satire, a genre which uses humour to reveal the weaknesses of a person, idea, or belief, should be a welcome in any public debate, particularly if it is humorous more than vicious or spiteful. Satire …show more content…
Over thousands of years of harassment the Jews have realised that the most powerful weapon against all their enemies is humour. The absurdity of this scene is clear, a religiously justified public stoning and all these violent actions are silly and banal.
The oxford dictionary defines satire as the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.
These days we do things differently. Protests, letters to politicians, satirical newspapers and interviews on morning television are the current method of reacting to topical religious terrorism.
The newspaper Charlie Hebdo uses satire to provoke its readers. Satire often exaggerates to make a point. Its visual cousin, caricature is recognizable by exaggeration of visual characteristics. Earlier this year, terrorists stormed the headquarters of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, killing 12. As the gunmen stormed the building, they shouted “We have avenged the prophet” and “Allahu Akbar,” leading many to the conclusion that the attacks were a retaliation against the magazine’s long history of provoking Muslims and other groups with controversial magazine

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