Most of these stories, like many that we have read, focus around religion.  In the Mediterranean culture, religion is obviously very important.  It has a lot of history there, so it makes much sense that it would be a common issue to write about.  I feel that Boccaccio does not view religion very highly.  He has this perception that it is very corrupt, which I am sure it was, and I know it still can be today.  Boccaccio obviously believes in God, but he criticizes religion.  In one story he speaks of this terrible man who lies to a priest and ends up being remembered like a saint because of his lie.  I think this is a reflection of how Boccaccio believes religion is a lie. People lie, make mistakes, and do selfish things to get themselves ahead.  He sees people do so, and get away with it.  The corruption of the church at the time was raging, and people like Boccaccio were outraged, but found a way to make it humorous.  Through his irony, he portrayed his feelings in a way that people would enjoy reading.  Another story that supports my theory that Boccaccio felt religion itself was a joke, is that of the three rings.  It shows he obviously believes in one God, but not in one organized religion.  The message of this story is exactly as it states: followers of each faith believe theirs to be true and correct, but no living human knows for a fact what is true and real.  For this reason, we must respect every religious group.  We cannot prove what is the true Law, but we can have convictions in our own faith and follow our own rules without contempt for other religious groups.