Amanda.Greene@ReligionNews.com

American science fiction writer Robert Heinlein once said "One man's theology is another man's belly laugh."

Regina Spektor's song "Laughing With" has the famous lines: "No one laughs at God in a hospital, no laughs at God in a war. No one's laughing at God when they're starving or freezing or so very poor. . .but God can be funny at a cocktail party when we're listening to a good God theme joke."

And everyone has heard jokes that begin with something similar to: "So a priest, a rabbi and a pirate walk into a bar. . ."

Does humor have its place in religion? Can we laugh about our beliefs and still believe fervently?

Jewish history chair Jarrod Tanny has taught a course at the University of North Carolina Wilmington about Judaism and humor with the tag line: "Why are the Jews so funny? What is unique about Jewish humor? Why are so many comedians, satirical novelists, and film directors Jewish? And why do Jews ask so many questions?"

And of course, there are so many religious parodies on T.V. on shows such as "South Park" and "The Simpsons" and others.

Recently, top comedian Stephen Colbert and Cardinal Timothy Dolan will star in a comedy slam together.

So what do you think?

How important is having a sense of humor to your faith? Does your creator have a sense of humor?