Why do so few exhibit any sense of humor about their belief system?

Question

When was it decideded, universally it seems, that any concept of "God" can't crack a smile; even a sardonic one?

Answer 1

OK, here's some religious humor, and it's even handed.

How many ______ does it take to change a light bulb?
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Pentecostals:
Ten. One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.

Assembly of God: (clap while singing)
"I saw the light, I saw the light, lord have mercy, I saw the light."

Presbyterians:
None. Lights will go on and off at predestined times.

Roman Catholic and Orthodox:
Candles only; alternatively with light bulb but instructions in Latin.

Baptists:
At least 15. One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad.

Episcopalians: Eight. One to call the electrician, and seven to say how much they liked the old one better.

Mormons:
Five. One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.

Unitarians:
We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your personal relationship with your light bulb,and present it next month at our annual light bulb Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to illumination.

Methodists:
Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved -- you can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Churchwide lighting service is planned for Sunday, August 19. Bring bulb of your choice and a covered dish.

Nazarene:
Six. One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy.

Lutherans:
None. Lutherans don't believe in change.

Amish:
What's a light bulb?

Hindu:
This light bulb was changed already, several times before.

Taoist:
The light that can be changed is not the true light.

Buddhist:
Free yourself of the need to emerge from darkness; then you will find the light within.

Islam:
Did Allah not already mercifully shed light on both the world of the faithful and the unfaithful? Dare you ask for more light when brightness is all around?

Wicca:
Light, light, burning bright, clear the darkness from my sight....

Orthodox Judaism:
It's Saturday. I'm not changing the light bulb.

Reformed Judaism:
I will change the light bulb, but only if otherwise I'd have the only dark house on the block.

Confucianism:
You will meet a dark room and a very tall ladder. Lucky numbers:
100W, 60W, 75W

Shintoism:
A black shadow falls,
We move about in darkness;
The light needs changing.

Zen:
Peals of thunder, the tiger paces in his den.

Agnostic:
Is it really burnt out? I can't tell from down here.

Atheist:
Screw the bulb; I'm getting a flashlight.

Answer 2

It depends on the joke.
There are various reasons why Christians get serious:
1) The joke rings with the truth that the person is not saved. It would be like telling an AIDS joke to an HIV sufferer. We know our condition, stricken with sin, and we know the way out of it. But people just don't listen. The sadness for us is real. We want you to be with us when we get there. Without Christ, it just isn't possible.

2) It really wasn't a funny joke.

3) It disrespected something really meaningful.

After witnessing some of the 'humor' on this sight, I think that 3) is commonplace.

Answer 3

I have a very good sense of humor about my Faith, I am a Christian and I even enjoy South Park. I can certainly laugh at myself but I don't like if Christianity is the only thing being criticized. I also don't like being told my beliefs are false or "retarded" by people who have no clue what I or other Christians believe. At least maybe they can do some homework on the subject before they bust on it.

Answer 4

If you care to follow some of the questions I have answered I think I have been witty at times. Many of the most recent questions I have run across were people in serious error in danger of their souls-nothing funny about that.

Someone here earlier asked what humans wore before clothes were invented and I couldn't resist a "nuttin honey".

Then somebody asked if Jesus was a mushroom and I just started cracking up I mean I think Jesus was laughing at that one.

I had to say this: NoNoNo YOU ate the mushroom when you saw HIM. Now go to the Betty Ford and get over it! (-;

Pax!

Answer 5

Who says we can't? The Gods have a sense of humor. So do most Pagans I know. =)

http://www.ecauldron.com/humorindex.php

That being said, there's a difference between "Making a comment about religion in an attempt to be funny" and "Making a comment about religion in an attempt to be insulting." There are far too many of the latter here, IMHO.

Answer 6

When people feel strongly about something (e.g. religion, politics, sex...) they often get so intense that they forget to laugh. They think that, by laughing, you are making light of something really important. In fact, sometimes people do make light of important matters, and sometimes people use humor as a weapon. However, the more secure we are in our faith in God, the more we can see the humor in things. Of course, some people are just more serious by nature.

Answer 7

Good natured humor is usually OK; but no one likes a sarcastic smart -@$$ Depends on the joke, I suppose.

Or maybe the people who sit at their computers with nothin' better to do have lost their humor on the Internet somewhere.

Answer 8

I don't mind good natured joking. It's when someone tells me I'm ignorant or or a total idiot for believing in God, I've had very personal experiences that cause me to believe, they are very important to me.
Even I find jokes about religions funny. After all religion is man-made. But, God is another story for me.

Answer 9

I think most belief systems are beyond funny and the people hung up on them are usually even funnier. I am very open minded and cannot be offended regarding this topic.

Beliefs should all be looked at for what they are - that's one of my views.

Answer 10

Hmmm....this seems like a true statement. However, I for one find Christian satire to be extremely hilarious. As a Christian I find there is a lot of truth to be found in these expressions of humor, it's rather tongue in cheek sort of stuff.