(Source:www.bcdb.com)
A Munich regional court ruled that the satirical cartoon Popetown, which features corrupt cardinals, a buxom nun, and an immature pontiff riding a pogo stick, doesn't insult Christianity. Instead, the court declared that the show is "too dumb to be insulting."
The court also said that shows may be tasteless and stupid without disturbing civic peace. It also noted that discussion of the series had remained rational.
Lawyers representing the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Munich had sought to have Popetown pulled, claiming it was "blasphemous" and "a collective insult to practicing Catholics." In the show, the pope says that he hates orphans "like the plague." It also satirizes religious ceremonies.
MTV Germany said that they would initially air 10 episodes of Popetown, to gauge public reaction to the cartoon before deciding its future. A telephone poll taken of viewers aged 14-39 indicated that 78% of respondents liked the show, the station also said.
Joachim von Gottberg from the FSF, which regulates German television, also concluded that Popetown wasn't dangerous but recommended that it be aired later in the evening, because children under 12 might not understand its satire.
