I read the internet today, while searching on laughter and God due to . and BOY there were so many christians that typed words of extreme seriousness that they were against laughing , we should not jest etc etc.. WHAtz up with THEM? and can sum1 explain ecclesiastes 2:2 "Laughter" i said "is foolishness?" IS he referring to laughter of amusement or celebration?
2006-08-25 23:39:15 · 13 answers · asked by jollypig 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hello Dr Kornflake!! :o) Some Internet websites [religious or otherwise] can certainly cause one to become even more confused - can't they!! [At least that's been MY experience] Those particular 'Christian' websites that you're talking about - I think - have misinterpreted Ecclesiastes 2. I believe that Ecclesiastes 2:2 [in fact - all of Ecclesiastes 2] is telling us [through one man's personal experience] that is it vain for a man to try to seek pleasure WITHOUT God. In a sense [at least - insofar as I see it] the story is a wonderful example of a warning God gives to us about how foolish it is for a man to gain the whole world and yet lose his soul. God is about JOY. God is about LOVE. God promises contentment and peace beyond our imagination. The 'laughter' talked about in Ecclesiastes 2:2 is the laughter that comes from having 'lost it'. [like a mad man who is consumed with his own pursuits - might do] It's not the same sort of laughter that one might experience through joy. I hope that helps. AND I hope it makes sense!! lol Craig!! :o)
2006-08-26 00:12:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's my best guess:
Early Christians (ca. 150 A.D.) were an ascetic sect; this means that they saw a evil in the physical world, and rejected it in favor of the spiritual world. Many of these early believers lived in caves or hovels deliberately set apart from other people, the better to concentrate on spiritual issues, and avoid earthly pleasures.
Although Christianity as we know it today has been greatly modified, there are still echoes of the idea that earthly = bad, and spiritual = good.
Some divisions of Christianity draw more heavily on the ascetic ideal ("fundamentalist"), and that's where music, dancing, laughter (or anything pleasurable, such as sex or good-tasting sandwiches) find disfavor.
I may not be exactly right, but I'll bet you a dollar that I'm REALLY close.
2006-08-25 23:49:28 · answer #2 · answered by silvercomet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God designed us and our emotions. Laughter is an expression of joy designed by God. Denying the use of a God given gift is just foolish.
Ecc 2:2 I said about laughter, "It is madness," and about pleasure, "What does this accomplish?"
The writer of this verse is expressing philosophical thought concerning momentary purpose It is not an admonition against laughter or joy.
In the context of the entire book of Ecclesiastes, the writer is seeking his purpose in life and contemplating fulfillment. You can not take one verse out of context and build a religious principal upon it.
Express yourself!
2006-08-26 00:10:31 · answer #3 · answered by steve 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No laughter? Who do you think invented laughter? I talk to some of my brothers and sisters in Christ and I struggle not to bust out...
Funny how I read the same Bible that some people quote out of context, and these passages mean something totally different to me when read in context. Read the whole book...the whole Bible.
2006-08-25 23:48:54 · answer #4 · answered by stronzo5785 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some Christians make a Religion outta Reality.
The TRUTH will Set you FREE.
And you can Even Laugh about it too.
Laugh at the Devil.
Devil hates Laughter.
Hint, hint.
Ditto.............
2006-08-26 04:26:51 · answer #5 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More xhristians. They dream up a meaning and form a religion around it, find a verse that supports it and Wa La a sect is formed.
2006-08-26 03:34:48 · answer #6 · answered by Grandreal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One translation I looked up says; Ecc.2:2 It is silly to laugh all the time, what good is seeking only pleasure.
Apparently it is not balanced to laugh all the time about everything.
I enjoyed my search on laughing and happiness.
The people who never laugh, seem to have a deficiency in some quality. I have know some religious leaders who were overly harsh and stern, and I came to know this was a mask, or reflection of hiding secret sins. Also the Bible says; why show yourself overly wise or righteous overmuch, and bring vexation upon yourself.
God is Happy; 1Timothy 6:15 This manifestation the *happy* and only Potentate..
Joy is a fruit of Holy Spirit; Galatians 5:22.
Rejoice with people who rejoice, weep with people who weep; Romans 12:15..
Matthew 5:11,12 HAPPY are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake, REJOICE and leap for JOY, since your reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you.
Ecc. 3:4 A time to cry and a time to laugh..
Psalms 144:15 Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah..
James 5:13 Is anyone happy? Let him sing song of Praise.
Job 5:17 Look! Happy is the man whom God reproves; And the discipline of the Almighty do not you reject!
2 Samuel 6:14-23 And David was dancing around before Jehovah with all his power, all the while David being girded with and ephod of linen. And David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of Jehovah with joyful shouting and sound of horn..
.Michal, Saul's' daughter herself looked down through the window and got to see King David leaping and dancing around before Jehovah; and she began to despise him in her heart...and Michal came on out to meet David and then said; 'How glorious the king of Israel mad himself today when he uncovered himself today to the eyes of the salve girls of his servants, just as one of the empty-headed men uncovers himself outright!
David said..'I will celebrate before Jehovah. And I will make myself even more lightly esteemed than this, and I will become low in my eyes; and with the slave girls whom you mentioned, with them I am determined to glorify myself. So, as regards Michal, ..she came to have no child down to the day of her death.
Proverbs 15:33 Before glory there is humility.
2006-08-26 04:30:06 · answer #7 · answered by tina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are people who claim to be Christian but they have no love in their hearts. Only someone who is cold would not have a sense of humor.
2006-08-25 23:52:34 · answer #8 · answered by kingofnarniaforever 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Due to a lack of faith, they go to extremes to try and re-enforce it, relying on idolic symbols and rituals, such as not expressing one self in certain manners.
2006-08-25 23:44:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
thay have no sence of humour thay hate it when you take the bliss out of them and the christians have got a lot of bliss
2006-08-26 00:09:28 · answer #10 · answered by andrew w 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋