I'll bet it seemed like a good idea at the time =D

Agreed. Zardoz is a masterpiece of science fiction. Today, thanks to the sense of humor inspired by cartoons like "Family Guy", and the unpopular Conservative message of the movie, Zardoz has been reduced in the public eye to Sean Connery in a red diaper. It's a shame more people won't open their eyes and appreciate a movie with a message even more relevant today than it was in 1973.