Legendary funnyman John Cleese has launched a stinging attack on the teachings of the Catholic church and what he describes as "fundamentalist" Christian churches.
Monty Python star Cleese blasted the Pope's teachings on abortion and homosexuality and claimed they "would not be recognised by Christ".
Cleese made his outburst in a BBC interview when he denied that the 'Life of Brian' film was anti-Christian.
Quizzed on BBC Radio Merseyside he condemned the teachings of the Pope and fundamentalist Christians on abortion and sex.
The former Monty Python actor says that the 1979 was a blast at the way religious fanatics promote their own beliefs rather than an attack on faith itself.
The cult movie tells the story of Brian Cohen, a young Jewish man born next door to Jesus Christ, and is mistaken for the Messiah.
The film, famous for its parody of fanatical worship, was banned in some countries after it was accused of blasphemy.
Cleese, 71, said : "Life of Brian was never an attack on religion, which is what some people seem to pretend it was.
"It was an attack on how people hold religious beliefs, an attack on what I would call intolerance and narrow mindedness."
And the Fawlty Towers star told the BBC's Sean Styles that the teachings of established churches were out of step with the the gospels.
Added Cleese: "Some of the fundamentalist Christians, seem to be performing or practising a kind of Christianity that I don't think would be recognised by Christ.
"I don't think Christ said a lot about abortion or even about single sex marriage.
"I don't know where all these Christian doctrines came from but that had nothing to do with what Christ ever said in the Bible.
"What Christ said in the Bible was profoundly important but it doesn't mean that I approve of a lot of the people who practise Christianity.
"We were making fun of the way people hold Christian religious beliefs not the beliefs themselves.
"We got a lot of letters from Christians who got it and thought it was great.
"I'm personally fascinated by religion and spirituality and sometimes think spirituality is a bit of a threat to religion because the organised churches are so into power and influence and indeed wealth.
"And if there's anything that Jesus Christ teaches people, it's not about power."
Oscar nominated Cleese is about to embark on his first UK stage tour istarting in Cambridge in May.
The live shows are called the ''Alimony Tour'', which is aimed at making light of his huge divorce settlement from third wife Alyce Faye Eichelberger.
The pair split in 2008 with the pay off understood to be costing him around #12 million.
Cleese will appear on stage at the Liverpool Empire as part of the tour on 31st May and 1st June 2011.
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