Will I go straight to hell if I make this for July 4 with bourbon cherries instead of kirsch?

Why not... the alcohol should not be the mainstay - bourbon enhances both the cherries and the chocolate. there's some theory here: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2013/dec/19/how-to-cook-perfect-black-forest-gateau. That said, I'm not a big fan of the traditional presentation - little bit too seventies for me. This looked rather nice:

I don't fancy such a slick presentation myself. I like homemade foods to look homemade, not like they were bought in a cake shop half an hour before the dinner! Also... what are those oval things anyway?

Gammy your link didn't work -- I think because of the period in that sentence?

Right you are, here's the link:

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2013/dec/19/how-to-cook-perfect-black-forest-gateau

This looks pretty darned tasty... 

Especially the cherries!