In each of these cases, the artist was advancing a critical opinion about the religion using comic exaggeration of actual facts, a satirical technique. The artists offended many, prompting calls for censuring. But if religious authorities wish to be a powerful part of a global society, they must be willing to face criticism and even occasional ridicule — just like the rest of us.

Satires offer readers and viewers a chance to step back and see a religion from another point of view. The Scientology episode of South Park animates the story of the evil alien lord Xenu capturing aliens and bringing their souls to earth, an actual belief held by Scientologists. But in the episode, Stan Marsh, the character the Scientologists believe is the reincarnation of their prophet, ultimately brings to light a more serious point: He calls it a scam. In fact, Scientology is partially based on how much money you put into it: to advance in rank, followers must attend courses costing from $1,800 to $11,000.

Late last year, the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published 12 cartoons addressing the Muslim religion. The two most popular depicted the prophet Mohammed, one in a fact-based joke and the other in a stereotype-based one. The first shows Mohammed stopping suicide bombers from entering heaven, saying there are no more virgins left, taken from the belief that virgins will greet you in heaven if you die killing infidels. The artist’s satirical target is a valid one: religious leaders who lure followers into committing suicide and murder with false promises. The second has no words, but a picture of Mohammed with his turban shaped like a bomb. While the Muslim religion has been associated with acts of violence in recent years, this cartoon is certainly offensive and biased, with its blanket association of the religion with bombers. The cartoon could have been a positive opportunity to spark dialogue and thought on the matter. Instead, both cartoons came under attack and incited riots around the Middle East, mainly on the grounds that depicting the prophet is a sin. However, it’s against Muslim beliefs to depict Mohammed, not those of others. Discussion of how to respect belief systems without imposing them on others is another way that these cartoons could have had a positive impact.

Mockery of religion can have other merits. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a troupe of men cross-dressing as nuns that started in San Francisco in the 1970s, raised $90,000 last year for charitable organizations throughout the Bay Area, including ones sponsored by the Catholic Church.

But even this couldn’t save the sisters from the Archdiocese of San Francisco, who compared the group to Nazis and attempted to revoke their permit to have a block party on Easter in 1999. Yet the sisters continue to bring gay and straight communities together to raise money, and often thank the Church for its criticism and the publicity that it brings.

We cannot live in a shadow of religious fear. Religious groups should not use their powers to reach beyond members of their own church, silencing those who disagree with them, as this could be the beginning of a gradual movement towards silencing those who disagree with any kind of exulted authority. Authorities have always been criticized and made fun off, and nothing should change that.