--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What have you been reading, The Gospel…" description: "\"“What have you been reading, The Gospel according to St. Bastard?!”\" — Eddie Izzard" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ef/eddie-izzard-1732_absurd_what-have-you-been-reading-the-gospel-ac_1212272.jpg" --- # What have you been reading, The Gospel according to St… ![“What have you been reading, The Gospel according to St. Bastard?!” quote by Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ef/eddie-izzard-1732_absurd_what-have-you-been-reading-the-gospel-ac_1212272.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ef/eddie-izzard-1732_absurd_what-have-you-been-reading-the-gospel-ac_1212272.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ef/eddie-izzard-1732_absurd_what-have-you-been-reading-the-gospel-ac_1212272.jpg) > ““What have you been reading, The Gospel according to St. Bastard?!”” [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The joke juxtaposes serious religious text with a vulgar nickname, highlighting absurdity and questioning reverence. **In simple terms:** Mixing sacred and profane creates humor. Key Takeaway Question what we deem sacred. Themes humor religion absurdity language Mood playful irreverent Type satirical provocative When to use this quote - comedy shows - public speaking - social commentary Key Concepts satire cultural critique identity Questions to Reflect On - What does this reveal about cultural taboos? - Is shock comedy effective for critique? A Different Perspective Humor can offend or alienate believers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absurd/) [Bastard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bastard/) [Gospel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gospel/) [Gospel According](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gospel-according-822894/) [Reading Gospel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading-gospel-3680878/) [St Bastard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/st-bastard-3680877/) ## Related quotes > [It seems we are suffering from a very narrow and self serving reading of the Gospel right now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rohr/it-seems-we-are-suffering-from-a-very-narrow-and-self-serving-reading/) [Richard Rohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rohr/) > [Gary Burnetts office is shelved with theological books, guitars fill the floor, and the drawers are crammed with CDs. In The Gospel According to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-stockman/gary-burnetts-office-is-shelved-with-theological-books-guitars-fill/) [Steve Stockman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-stockman/) > [It's important, though, that there are not "four gospels." There is only one gospel: the good news of what God has done through Christ…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-j-h-wright/it-s-important-though-that-there-are-not-four-gospels-there-is-only/) [Christopher J. H. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-j-h-wright/) > [What is the gospel according to Jesus? Simply this: that the love we all long for in our innermost heart is already present, beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mitchell/what-is-the-gospel-according-to-jesus-simply-this-that-the-love-we/) [Stephen Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mitchell/) > [“Love leaves you grinnin’ like a mule eatin’ saw briars. —The gospel according to Elmer Stillman”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-force/love-leaves-you-grinnin-like-a-mule-eatin-saw-briars-the-gospel/) [Marie Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-force/) > [Donald Trump really is a fan of the Bible, except that it's far too long for him to read. So he just released a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-r-burch/donald-trump-really-is-a-fan-of-the-bible-except-that-it-s-far-too/) [Michael R. Burch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-r-burch/) > [Share the Gospel. According to the Bible, it is every believer's privilege and responsibility to share the Gospel. If we understand what lies ahead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-jeremiah/share-the-gospel-according-to-the-bible-it-is-every-believer-s/) [David Jeremiah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-jeremiah/) > [I know the Gospel according to Mark better than I know any sura in the Quran.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aasif-mandvi/i-know-the-gospel-according-to-mark-better-than-i-know-any-sura-in/) [Aasif Mandvi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aasif-mandvi/) > [“If women were flowers, I’d pick you. —The gospel according to Elmer Stillman”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-force/if-women-were-flowers-i-d-pick-you-the-gospel-according-to-elmer/) [Marie Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-force/) > [“That’ll put a quiver in your liver. —The gospel according to Elmer Stillman”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-force/that-ll-put-a-quiver-in-your-liver-the-gospel-according-to-elmer/) [Marie Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-force/) > [“Every path has its puddles. —The gospel according to Elmer Stillman”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-force/every-path-has-its-puddles-the-gospel-according-to-elmer-stillman/) [Marie Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-force/) > [“When life gives you scraps, make a quilt. —The gospel according to Elmer Stillman”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-force/when-life-gives-you-scraps-make-a-quilt-the-gospel-according-to-elmer/) [Marie Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-force/) > [“Nobody can understand the greatness of the thirteenth century, who does not realize that it was a great growth of new things produced by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/nobody-can-understand-the-greatness-of-the-thirteenth-century-who/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [“You are writing a Gospel, A chapter each day, By deeds that you do, By words that you say. Men read what you write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gilbert/you-are-writing-a-gospel-a-chapter-each-day-by-deeds-that-you-do-by/) [Paul Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gilbert/) > [“Sometimes you get and sometimes you get got. —The gospel according to Elmer Stillman”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-force/sometimes-you-get-and-sometimes-you-get-got-the-gospel-according-to/) [Marie Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-force/) ## More by Eddie Izzard > [When I first came out, I thought, I want to walk like a real woman, I don't want to do mincing steps. And there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/when-i-first-came-out-i-thought-i-want-to-walk-like-a-real-woman-i/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [“You know, I don't believe that religions are religions. No, I believe they are philosophies with some good ideas and some fuckin' weird ones.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/you-know-i-don-t-believe-that-religions-are-religions-no-i-believe/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [If you've never seen an elephant ski, then you've never been on acid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/if-you-ve-never-seen-an-elephant-ski-then-you-ve-never-been-on-acid/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [I don't believe in God. I believe gods and devils are within us. It's our own battle. Our life's battle is to appeal to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/i-don-t-believe-in-god-i-believe-gods-and-devils-are-within-us-it-s/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [“If you are an LGBT+ person and you come out, you have to go through your knight’s quest to create ground for yourself, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/if-you-are-an-lgbt-person-and-you-come-out-you-have-to-go-through/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [America is the new Roman Empire. Remember what happened to Rome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/america-is-the-new-roman-empire-remember-what-happened-to-rome/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [I wanna live 'til I die, no more, no less.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/i-wanna-live-til-i-die-no-more-no-less/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [I try to just talk about human stories and what I think about religion or teapots or whatever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/i-try-to-just-talk-about-human-stories-and-what-i-think-about/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [This is your captain speaking. Welcome aboard flight...one, from...here to there. We'll be cruising at a height of ten feet, going up to twelve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/this-is-your-captain-speaking-welcome-aboard-flight-one-from-here-to/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [You have the American dream! The dream is to be born in a gutter and grow up, and then get all the money in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/you-have-the-american-dream-the-dream-is-to-be-born-in-a-gutter-and/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [Because we all know one of the main factors of war is the element of surprise. And what could be more surprising than the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/because-we-all-know-one-of-the-main-factors-of-war-is-the-element-of/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [We have two hundred languages in Europe. Two hundred languages! Count them! I know you won't!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/we-have-two-hundred-languages-in-europe-two-hundred-languages-count/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [I don't believe that competitions are important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/i-don-t-believe-that-competitions-are-important/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [“Have you got a flag?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/have-you-got-a-flag/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [Cause if you're a transvestite, you're actually a male tomboy, that's where the sexuality is. Yeah, it's not drag queen, no; gay men have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/cause-if-you-re-a-transvestite-you-re-actually-a-male-tomboy-that-s/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) [Explore all 210 Eddie Izzard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) ## More Absurd quotes > [“It seem absurd to me that they don't know, haven't felt any change or tremor, even as my life has been completely turned upside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/it-seem-absurd-to-me-that-they-don-t-know-haven-t-felt-any-change-or/) [Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/) > [When a person’s tongue is extensively wrong, it is absurd, no less than unscriptural, to say that their heart is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/when-a-person-s-tongue-is-extensively-wrong-it-is-absurd-no-less-than/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [Every sensible man, every honorable man, must hold the Christian sect in horror." "Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/every-sensible-man-every-honorable-man-must-hold-the-christian-sect/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [It is human nature to think wisely and to act in an absurd fashion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatole-france/it-is-human-nature-to-think-wisely-and-to-act-in-an-absurd-fashion/) [Anatole France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatole-france/) > [It is a dangerous and fateful presumption, besides the absurd temerity that it implies, to disdain what we do not comprehend. For after you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-a-dangerous-and-fateful-presumption-besides-the-absurd-temerity/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I thought to myself: if it’s true that every person has a star in the sky, mine must be distant, dim, and absurd. Perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadegh-hedayat/i-thought-to-myself-if-it-s-true-that-every-person-has-a-star-in-the/) [Sadegh Hedayat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadegh-hedayat/) > [If, indeed, a firearm were more dangerous to its possessors than to potential aggressors, would it not make sense for the government to arm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mamet/if-indeed-a-firearm-were-more-dangerous-to-its-possessors-than-to/) [David Mamet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mamet/) > [“You were torturing a cat," she says. "With a freaking prod." "A prod I built myself in metal shop," he says. "But of course…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/you-were-torturing-a-cat-she-says-with-a-freaking-prod-a-prod-i-built/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [I have never heard enough classical music to be able to enjoy it; & the simple truth is, I detest it. Not mildly, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/i-have-never-heard-enough-classical-music-to-be-able-to-enjoy-it-the/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [To deprecate human reason by saying that none of us is or can be omniscient is absurd, for it takes an impossible standard as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murray-rothbard/to-deprecate-human-reason-by-saying-that-none-of-us-is-or-can-be/) [Murray Rothbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-rothbard/) > [“Rachel got up and did this happy little shuffle, like she was some cheerful farmer chick who'd just stepped outside to find the hick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/rachel-got-up-and-did-this-happy-little-shuffle-like-she-was-some/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [The absurd duty, too often inculcated, of obeying a parent only on account of his being a parent, shackles the mind, and prepares it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft/the-absurd-duty-too-often-inculcated-of-obeying-a-parent-only-on/) [Mary Wollstonecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft/) > [The workman of today works every day in his life at the same tasks, and this fate is no less absurd. But it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-workman-of-today-works-every-day-in-his-life-at-the-same-tasks/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [I was once part of a Christmas cabaret. I sang 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.' I tap-danced. I had a ten-gallon hat. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-dinklage/i-was-once-part-of-a-christmas-cabaret-i-sang-i-saw-mommy-kissing/) [Peter Dinklage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-dinklage/) > [Solitude produces originality, bold and astonishing beauty, poetry. But solitude also produces perverseness, the disproportianate, the absurd and the forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-mann/solitude-produces-originality-bold-and-astonishing-beauty-poetry-but/) [Thomas Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-mann/) [Browse all 1,644 Absurd quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absurd/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“What have you been reading, The Gospel according to St. Bastard?!”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Eddie Izzard" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/what-have-you-been-reading-the-gospel-according-to-st-bastard/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Absurd" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/what-have-you-been-reading-the-gospel-according-to-st-bastard/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ef/eddie-izzard-1732_absurd_what-have-you-been-reading-the-gospel-ac_1212272.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ef/eddie-izzard-1732_absurd_what-have-you-been-reading-the-gospel-ac_1212272.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ef/eddie-izzard-1732_absurd_what-have-you-been-reading-the-gospel-ac_1212272.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What have you been reading, The Gospel according to St. Bastard?!” — Eddie Izzard", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Eddie Izzard", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“What have you been reading, The...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/what-have-you-been-reading-the-gospel-according-to-st-bastard/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/what-have-you-been-reading-the-gospel-according-to-st-bastard/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```