Sense of humor?

Question

Ok I've noticed not too many people here in R&S have a sense of humor if its about their religion. When someone asks a question about religion, I try to give a humorous response. I like to make jokes about all religions including my own. Probably because I listen to Dennis Leary and watch South Park too much. But people need a sense of humor even if the joke is about their religion. Do you have this kind of sense of humor or do feel threatened by people like me?

Answer 1

Agreed!

Answer 2

Some people take their religion very seriously. I don't. I think it's OK to have a sense of humor regarding religion. Why not? You're allowed to have a sense of humor regarding everything else.

Religion is a private thing. I don't like to offer mine up for everyone's dissection (mostly because everyone would really don the lab coats to cut into mine) and if you can't take the heat (or the joke), then it's best to keep your religious affiliation to yourself...but sometimes, you really need a bit of levity.

I think even a Greater Power understands this.

Answer 3

Oh, I have a sense of humor about Christianity, and I'm a Christian. There are hilarious stories in the Bible. One of my favorites is found here: John 4:31. It's about a time when Jesus met a Samaritan woman and was talking to her. In the meantime, Jesus had sent His disciples to get some food. When they came back, He made the statement that He had meat to eat that they didn't know about. They started asking each other whether or not somebody already brought Jesus something to eat. Jesus was actually trying to tell them in a metaphor that His "food" was to do the will of His Father, God.

The reason I thought it was hilarious is that I pictured them all standing around having this conversation. And, if Jesus had been the type to ridicule people, He would have had every reason to at that time. I just found it very funny. And that's not all, either. The story about Balaam's *** (mule) is really funny if you just picture the scene in your mind. You can find it here: Numbers 22. Read the whole chapter to get the background and then just picture the situation.

And on top of that, I can think of an entire stand-up comedy routine based on Christianity and Christians. We are people like everybody else, and it's okay to laugh at ourselves. That's my opinion, anyway. Peace.

Answer 4

It depends on how often you've heard the particular joke. It can get annoying after the hundredth time someone makes a wisecrack about your religion. However, there are other instances, one of which I can cite as happening to me. Back when I was in the college dorms, I had a "white board" on the outside of my dorm room door and I posted the following which I had actually seen on the internet at the time: "**** Happens: Religious Views of Life". Maybe you've seen it as well?? Anyway, this guy who I knew from junior college who also happened to be living in that same dorm, came up to me and said he was "really disappointed" and that he'd thought better of me. I was stunned because I had seen much worse posted on doors and in dorm rooms. I had no idea this guy was so into his religion that he couldn't take a joke! If that's what being a Christian is I want no part of it.

Answer 5

I think most people take their beliefs seriously and something not to joke about, which is why not too much humor is involved. My relationship with God is very personal and not something I find funny or would like anyone to make fun of.

By the way, on other subjects, I have a wonderful sense of humor.

Answer 6

I just got in trouble for the same thing. I have a sense of humor about most things except physical,mental,sexual abuse. Other topics are fair game. I hold back on unwholesome jokes but they are at the tip of my tongue. We should laugh more and hate less. It is funny how humor can be bashing especially when I said I was only kidding. I came back and apologized. I will now hold my tongue on that too now. They win, I will be boring.

Answer 7

Humor is great as long as someone doesn't go too far and use irreverance and blasphemy. God is not someone I feel we should make fun of. There's much in this world to have humor about. I don't feel threatened, just offended at times when God is the target of rudeness and irreverance.

Answer 8

I think part of it is we're not always sure when it is meant to be funny and when it is a serious question....Father K is pretty good about the humorous responses and I'm learning a lot from him.

Answer 9

...I don't have that sense of humor, and folks like you do not threaten me. My opinion, with very few exceptions, spiritual things, biblical things, and sacred things are not in the jokes I like or tell - I just think it is inappropriate.
...I am dead serious about my relationship with God, and firmly and without any apology believe that all need the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.
...I don't see where joking about spiritual things will help to bring folks closer to God.
...I do love clean, atrocious (spoonerisms, puns, and plays on words) and I know quite a few. Clean jokes are fine, and I love to tell them and laugh at them.

Answer 10

A sense of humor is always good. I think some people feel defensive towards it a lot of time though. They will be okay.

Answer 11

A big part of it is the difficulty in expressing subtle humour over the internet. I think half the questions I've asked have been grossly misinterpreted because I was trying to ask them with a dash of humour.