Tom Lehrer's "The Vatican Rag"

FatPamPam · **Joined:** Tue Aug 10, 2004 1:15 am **Posts:** 42

In the 60's, Tom Lehrer wrote a song called "The Vatican Rag." It has lyrics like

"Get in line in that processional
Step in to that small confessional
There the guy who's got religion'll
Tell you if your sin's original
If it is, try playin' it safer
Drink the wine and chew the wafer
2-4-6-8
Time to transubstantiate!"

For all you Catholics: Is this funny or blasphemous? I've played it for three of my Catholic friends and they thought it was funny, but they''re not into religion for the most part.

Thoughts?

ramrod · **Posted:** Wed Dec 15, 2004 2:31 pm

I'm Catholic, and I really don't find this offensive. And I'm fairly religious. But I'm more open minded than most Catholics. I'm betting that if you showed that to one of those extremest Catholis they will call you a heretic.

InterruptorJones · **Posted:** Wed Dec 15, 2004 2:43 pm

There are some people who think that anything said about their faith without complete and utter reverence is blasphemous.

Prof. Tor Coolguy · **Posted:** Wed Dec 15, 2004 5:38 pm

I think Tom Leher is one of the greatist mad scientists ever, some do tv shows (ie: Bill Nye) and he sings. I don't think it's more than that,he's just voicing his opinion.

Just for my two cents I like the elements song much better.

sticklyman · **Posted:** Wed Dec 15, 2004 9:08 pm

God, is Tom Lehrer funny. His song wasn't meant to be the nastiest thing available to the public. That's why I never listen to Howard Stern. He's just a math teacher who wanted to entertain his students with his sharp wit. I personally think it's his third best song. Number two is "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park" and number one has to be "We Will All Go Together When We Go."

FatPamPam · **Joined:** Tue Aug 10, 2004 1:15 am **Posts:** 42

I think he's pretty funny. I got his box set three years ago. I was really into censorship to the extent that I would black out portions of MAD magazine, so I avoided this song. Now I think it's hilarious. However, due to my sensitive and caring nature (or lack thereof), I like to get other's opinions before I laugh at them. :sb:

Buz · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2004 4:22 am

FatPamPam wrote:

In the 60's, Tom Lehrer wrote a song called "The Vatican Rag."
...
For all you Catholics: Is this funny or blasphemous?

I fail to be Catholic, so I don't want to speak for Catholics. But if I may speak as a Christian in a culture that find Christianity at best confusing...

For a non-adherent to make a joke about some of the more misunderstood aspect of our faith can serve a great purpose! It helps us realize what it is that we show to outsiders looking in. If outsiders think that us Protestants are so fixated on grace that we don't care about sin, then perhaps we're not being clear.

In that spirit, I've started the Heresy of the Week award. It helps Christians get a laugh out of blashpemies and heresies while learning at the same time. Everything from the Talking Jesus Action Figure to my buddy who accidentally attributed a non-transferrable attribute of Christ to our pastor.

Oh, and I think the song is both funny and playfully blashpemous at the same time. Historically, the song was not made to make fun of the Catholic religion, but to comment on the public image of the Vatican 2 changes to some of the traditions. So no offence meant by the author to the man upstairs himself.

FatPamPam · **Joined:** Tue Aug 10, 2004 1:15 am **Posts:** 42

Yeah, that's how I tend to view the song. It's interesting to see how others look at Christianity and, as you said, it doesn't make fun of the big man at all, just certain ways of worshipping him.

Didymus · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2004 5:27 am

We Lutherans are very close to Roman Catholics in the way we worship and in our theology of the Sacraments (well, the Big Two, anyway, Baptism and Holy Communion. And maybe Confession/Absolution). I didn't find this offensive.

Ungurait#7 · **Posted:** Tue May 17, 2005 9:56 pm

Ahh, good ol' Tom Lehrer. I always thought his stuff was borderline offensive (not to me personally, but I mean I can see where people could get offended). I agree that it really shouldn't be offensive. I'm not Catholic though.

Here's the whole song:
http://members.aol.com/quentncree/lehrer/vatican.htm

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Tom Lehrer's "The Vatican Rag"

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