Sharon Stone (Basic Instinct) is set play Mary’s mom in the upcoming alleged comedy Sweet Baby Jesus. Adrien Brody (The Pianist) is reportedly in final negotiations to play Joseph in a cast that will include Bette Midler (The Rose), Sean Brosnan (Remington Steele‘s son) and the relatively-unknown Pixie Lott as Mary.

The plot in a nutshell takes place during the 1970’s in the small town of Bethlehem, Maryland (there really is such a place) at Christmas time. When pregnant Mary and her boyfriend Joe (Brody) wander into the town (most probably looking for an inn) the people in town begin anticipating the Second Coming.

Now, I suppose such a movie could be written in a way that doesn’t demean Christianity and has a positive message — something like, in the end, the characters learn to see Jesus in every child and every human being. 

But, as of now, this looks like yet another Hollywood project that “bravely” dares to offend Christians — who, the plot outline suggests, will be portrayed as idiots.

Insulting Christians and our beliefs has become a quick path to earning your industry edgy badge.

Comedy Central, for example, fresh from quaking in their boots following a South Park  episode that resulted in a veiled radical Islamic death threat is in the process of developing JC, an animated show that (if picked up) would depict Jesus in modern day New York City as he attempts to escape the shadow of his “powerful but apathetic father.”

In talking about the concept Kent Alterman, head of the network’s original programming, said, with no apparent sense of comic irony, “In general, comedy in (its) purist form always makes some people uncomfortable,”

Uh-huh. But why is it that “irreverence” is supposedly comedy at its best when applied Christians and certain other unfavored groups but seems to morph into insensitivity when applied to those safely gathered under the umbrella of political correctness? And why does political correctness often seem more motivated by fear (political, professional or even physical) than genuine respect? 

Just asking.

In any event, don’t expect to see “Sweet Baby Mohammad” opening at a theater near you any time soon.