Is it okay to make jokes about Jesus and Hitler?

When you release a game called DARK HUMOR that deliberately relies on black humor and incorporates characters like Jesus and Hitler as symbols of ultimate good and evil, the moral and social perspective becomes especially important. Black humor exists in a gray area that depends heavily on context and audience. Here are our thoughts on whether it's okay to make jokes about Jesus and Hitler:

Can provocation be used as a stylistic device?

Black humor thrives on breaking taboos. The deliberate use of Jesus and Hitler plays with extreme contrasts and the cultural and historical significance of these figures. We consider this morally justified, as the provocation is clearly recognizable and aims to question social norms and expose absurdities.

Does black humor have limits?

While some find the humor liberating, others see it as disrespectful to the victims of National Socialism or the religious significance of Jesus. What matters to us is whether the portrayal treats the characters and their symbolism disrespectfully or whether it is staged with a clear goal (e.g., entertaining fans of dark humor).

What is the intention of our game?

Our primary intention is to make people laugh with dark humor and thus make this target group happy. The game isn't intended to glorify or demean any ideologies, but rather uses absurd contrasts to do justice to this type of humor.

How different can the reactions be?

Black humor isn't universal. For some, the game is a clever commentary on the absurdity of life; for others, it might be offensive or tasteless. We're aware that the combination of Jesus and Hitler is particularly polarizing, as it can touch on personal beliefs and traumas.

What about cultural sensitivities?

In a pluralistic society like ours, there are diverse religious and historical backgrounds. It can be shocking that Jesus, a holy figure for millions of people, and Hitler, who stands for unimaginable crimes, appear in the same context. We understand that this can be perceived as disrespectful or ignorant, even if the humor is explicitly labeled "dark."

What is the satirical context?

Our game makes it clear that it's not about trivializing history or religion, but rather about an exaggerated portrayal of extreme opposites, which can make it more socially acceptable. Examples like South Park or Jojo Rabbit have tested similar boundaries and have been both celebrated and criticized.

Where do we see our responsibility as game developers?

We bear responsibility for how the game is understood. Humor published without context or explanation can, of course, be misunderstood. Therefore, clear communication about the intent and satirical framework is important to us to avoid potential misunderstandings. Openness to discussion and criticism is essential to us.