Colbert: God hates charity, or crosses would have cute kittens

On a recent radio show, Glenn Beck called for people to leave churches that advocate for social justice. The Fox News host has said that social justice is just a code word for Nazism and Communism.

Stephen Colbert agrees. "When I think of Hitler and Stalin, I think social justice," he joked Thursday night.

Between his radio and Fox News shows, Glenn Beck has to fill four hours of airtime each day. The conservative talker spent several minutes last Friday advising church members to flee their houses of worship if they found certain code words on the church's Web site.

"I'm begging you... your right to religion and freedom to exercise religion and read all of the passages of the Bible as you want to read them and as your church wants to preach them are going to come under the ropes here in probably the next year," Beck explained. "I beg you look for the words social justice or economic justice on your church website. If you find it, run as fast as you can. Social justice and economic justice, they are code words."

In a parody of Beck, Colbert revealed his own radio show Thursday.

"Folks, I've never had to do this but due to a scheduling conflict I've had to simulcast my show 'The Colbert Report' with my radio show 'Colbert on the Ert,'" Colbert announced.

Colbert, a Catholic, wondered if his church was in Beck's crosshairs. "Is Glenn attacking my faith? No, he is correcting my faith, and it is long overdue. For over 100 years Popes have declared a doctrine of social justice including support of labor movements and the distribution of wealth in capitalist societies," said Colbert.

"I know the Popes are infallible but boy did they screw the pooch on this one. The God I work with doesn't encourage social justice. I have a personal relationship with Jesus."

With a picture of his arm around the Christian savior, Colbert proudly displayed a cross. "He wants me to continue to acquire wealth. That's why his symbol is a plus sign," Colbert quipped.

"If he wanted me to focus on the poor and the powerless, those rejected by society, don't you think he would have put something [on the cross] to inspire empathy? Like maybe a kitten with really big eyes? Oh my God! That is sacra-dorable!"

This video is from Comedy Central's The Colbert Report, broadcast March 18, 2010.