Is this Islamic joke disrespectful of Christianity and the Christian God or not and why?

Question

Once a missionary on his way to run some errand hired a rickshaw. The rickshaw-puller happened to be a Muslim. The christian preacher began to preach the Gospel to the R.P. The rickshaw puller got annoyed and asked the preacher "How many sons did God have?" The missionary answered "One". At this the rickshaw puller got more annoyed and said "I am a thirty year old poor rickshaw puller, I have twelve children. If your God is really as great as you claim him to be, then how come he has only one son?"

http://www.answering-islam.de/Main/Humor/muslim.html

The point of this question is not to incite conflict or misunderstanding of any kind but rather to open a serious discusion about how Islam and the West may view humor differently and how this difference in perspective may be contributing to the friction between the two. Please be respectful in your answers. See also
"Is this Islamic joke disrespectful of Islam and Allah or not and why?" http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ai5a2_mEMI0MH_hYNyNpAp3sy6IX?qid=20061018160614AAHb69t

unknown_p...: Clever play on words, but a very bad joke because it is disrespectful of human life.

mutmainna...: But the second joke was a joke told by Muslims to Muslims.

TJ 57: This was supposed to be about cultural differences in how humor is viewed and used. I'm not laughing.

Eso_ uk: I love your answer but I fear that few here will see its relation to this question. Thank you for offering a refreshing neutral perspective.

Debra N: Great points which contribute to better understanding of this joke and, hopefully, a greater appreciation of the therapeutic role humor can play if we allow it. Incidentally, you might be interested in this short perceptive essay about humor in the Holocaust (calm down, people, that's humor IN the Holocaust, NOT Holocaust humor):

http://www.holocaust-trc.org/holocaust_humor.htm

Answer 1

A a Christian, I don't find it haha funny, but it's not offensive either, as it doesn't seem to be mean-spirited. I think it's interesting. Humor can be very mean, of course. But when its not, it gives an insight into the way we disperse tensions acceptably. And it also gives insight into the other culture and what they view as important. For example, the joke above really wouldn't make sense unless you realize how highly prized a man's children (especially sons) are. I'm afraid in the West we are too concerned about limiting the size of our families to really understand the rickshaw drivers sentiment.

I wish we could all take a step back sometimes and take a deep breath, and encourage each other with well-intentioned humor. It's really alot more effective than the constant grousing.

Glad you asked the question.
Hoping the best for you...

Answer 2

As the web-page points out, Muslims and Christians will find this joke funny for different reasons.

I don't think that it is disrespectful of Christians, but based on how many Christians would interpret it, our interpretation might be offensive to Muslims.

The web-page comment was correct in that most Christians would find it funny because it seems to highlight the common Muslim misunderstanding of what Christians mean by the phrase "Son of God" -- the rickshaw puller sounds like an uneducated hick to a westerner. It also highlights the Christian perspective that Muslims seem to be always trying to compete with, or "one-up" Christians.

Answer 3

Is it disrespectful of Christianity-
Yes and no.
See Jesus is more than able to handle any joke and or criticism directed at Him. We make the mistake when we try to "take" up for Him. If He is offended, He will mete out the punishment/judgment.
Does it offended me personally- as a Christian- No.
It is a joke- that is all. Neither hateful in its delivery nor particularly funny.
I think the misunderstandings come when whoever you are following is not who you should be following- in other words- if I have to kill you to keep any comment you make about Jesus quiet- He really isn't worth following.
Jesus- is the Truth, the way and the Life.
because I know He is truly God- I don't have to shut up any person if they disagree- I leave that to Him.

Answer 4

There is no such thing as an "Islamic" joke. Islam doesn't allow hurting anyone by making points indirectly and joking around with them.

Allah says in the Qur'an:

Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance. (16:125)

The second joke you posted is disrespectful as it makes fun of such good words muslims utter when they set out to do something. Insha'Allah (Allah Willing), by saying this they express their belief in Allah and that He is the controller of things. But this by no means implies that one should sit back and relax and just depend on saying insha'Allah.

Allah says in the Qur'an:

For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession, before and behind him: They guard him by command of Allah. Allah does not change a people's lot unless they change what is in their hearts. But when (once) Allah willeth a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back, nor will they find, besides Him, any to protect. (13:11)

Edit:

The joke being told by muslims to muslims doesn't make it legitimate.

Answer 5

This is a great observation! It was definitely not offensive. They must have very dry humor like alot of people on this site do.

The joke that "unknown p" said would be very offensive to muslims. Too funny! LOL

Shalom

Answer 6

the question itself is a hot button..
you see in Islam saying God has a son or ccalling God father is a sin... in fact the unforgivable sin

this is seirously problematic becasue even Isaiah refered to God as father and Jesus called God father in all but one prayer
and also it is said that Jesus did not die on the cross... it appears that no prophet of God owuld be felt to suffer such humialitation

and yet in the Old testament literally all men and women of God went though periods of humiliation before being lifted up

so.. like it or no... the adoption by God and the death of Jesus on the cross are central to salvation in the very reliabble texts of the New Testament ... but spoken against in the Koran.. I have to conclude that the Bible is the more reliable of the two

Answer 7

Of course we do. Usually it is jokes between one deomination and another, but also some jokes are about the priesthood and often include other religions as well. You can usually tell when a joke is starting. They usually start off like: "A minister, a priest and a rabbi walked into a bar...."

Answer 8

I don't find it offensive, most christians probably wouldn't. It just seems like the 'christian' world is more tolerant of these things. Is it me or does it seem like the places where the most extreme mulism ppl are is where there is still a lot of prejudice and poverty? The more wealthy muslim nations seem to be more peaceful.

Answer 9

Kinda falls flat to me. It seems more like what you said it was, an opening argument against God's having a Son. Disrespectful? Not really.

Answer 10

It's not really that offensive. It's ignorant and really not all the funny. Family Guy does a better job if you want to go for both funny yet offensive.