Comedian Lewis Black's Seriously Funny Thoughts on Religions in "Me of Little Faith"

Lewis Black is a stand-up comic whose observational humor is absurdist, astute & wickedly funny.  Lewis (b Amer 1948) is also an author & playwright.  His memoir & religious commentary "Me of Little Faith," trust me, is hilarious & pithy.  Of course, I'm sure Black is preaching to the choir concerning unquestioning faith and religious zealots.  Lewis talks about his Jewish upbringing which included becoming a bar mitzvah & Jewish education although not raised within a rigid religious household. "By the time I was 15 and my religious education at the temple was over, I was over Judaism.  I rarely looked back to the fold."  Black doesn't attack various religions but questions the need for religion and points out its failings & foibles.  "The excesses of violence committed in the name of God wherever you look and the obscene power of religion in politics, in our homes and in our lives."  This may be the dividing rod that religious zealots will condemn (should they read Lewis' book).  But, he begs the question - how does religion serve humanity rather than destroy it.  Black contends "What's at the root of all religions. Death! Or, more precisely, the fear of death."  Again, Black's contemplations have merit.  Getting his observations off the page, Black can't resort to his stentorian voice or pervasive profanity.  He does however, rely heavily on his humor & wit.  Unfortunately, Black commits a blatant sin at the end of "Me of Little Faith" by including the short lived play he co-wrote & co-starred in with Mark Lin-Baker at the Public Theater.  The critics panned it and me, of little patience, found it a droll attempt at redemption for having been poorly crafted.  Still, "Me of Little Faith," has lots to proffer those who love humor combined with conscientious insight.  "In a land that should take great joy in the differences of its people - and in the knowledge that those differences are what make us strong, we generally choose to fear diversity." You got that FUCKING right!  And, I too can never understand "...the need for people who believe they have to get everyone else to believe the same thing they do."  Believe me - everyone should read Black's book "Me of Little Faith."