Now, first of all, I'm a great believer in a free society. Free society is defined as a society where all individuals act voluntarily and find it safe to be unpopular. I also applaud our right to free speech, as recognised under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human rights.

Our right to free speech is subject to some limitations, for example, when it comes to incitement to hatred. I agree with the quenching of hate speech.

Another strong belief of mine is the right of every single human being to belong or not belong to any religious grouping. I have lots of friends who believe in a supreme being and I've lots of friends who do not believe in a supreme being. We all get along just fine. Great, isn't it, the total diversity of the interests of human beings? Just in case you might think that I'm going to list all the things that I believe in or feel strongly about, don't worry, I'm just going to refer to one more thing that's close to my heart: Comedy.

The word comedy, in modern usage, can be confined to the notion of “laughter-provoking”. Whilst this is, of course, true, there are many types of comedy and most, if not all of them, involve the making light of a situation or character or social conventions. The method of taking a skewered look at specific engrained doctrines can be hugely funny when cleverly done. The trouble with some forms of comedy, satire and parody for example, is that, some folk take huge umbrage at it. Or as we say around Ballagh, they go completely ape!

A couple of issues ago, I quoted Tommy Tiernan's comic take on the death and resurrection of Jesus. I obviously find the particular quote quite funny; I wouldn't have quoted it otherwise. Most people, in fairness, that I've met, who actually read it, thought it laugh provoking. Most of us who were reared in Ballaghaderreen were brought up in the Catholic faith. The notion of a comedian suggesting that Jesus must have had an Irish father is classic parody, turning a convention completely on its head. There was no incitement to hatred here, just an attempt (a successful one in my view) to highlight a ridiculous scenario for the purpose of letting people have a laugh. As I say, because of the religion most of us in this area were brought up with, it is particularly funny for us to see a new humourous slant on that specific shibboleth. It doesn't at all mean that people are “anti” anything (perpetual offendees excepted). Some people however, were, according to themselves, “offended” by the piece. They even managed to get an apology in the editorial of last month’s issue. Go figure. Actually, some people thought the apology had come from me! Now that is funny.

At the very start of this article I more or less suggested that my philosophy in life is to live and let live. You know, life isn't always easy and some people seem to get dealt more of a raw deal than others, so, whatever floats your boat, go for it. Comedy, to me, is a great releaser of tension and it does lift spirits, so much so that I would venture that comedy is essential! Laughter is even said to be the cure to being sick, studies showing that people who laugh more often, get sick less. No matter what one’s beliefs are in life, one should always feel proud of them and comfortable with them. A case of, if you're happy in your nappy, clap your hands. I suggest that if people allow themselves to be offended, even when no offence is caused or indeed intended, then, maybe they're not as happy in their nappies as they would like to think. So, to finish, if this particular article has offended anyone, I'd like to think that, if indeed you are a true Christian, then surely, you’ll forgive me.

PS: On a completely different note, those of you who might be wondering who to vote for, or indeed, whether to vote at all, in the upcoming Local Elections, might just be interested in an event happening on Friday 24th of April. Three sitting Councillors and two new candidates from the locality will be offering members of the public the chance to ask pertinent questions of them, a full six weeks ahead of Polling Day on the 5th of June. The venue is the Abbeyfield Hotel with yours truly as host and start time is 9pm. All are welcome.