Laughter, a sin?

Question

...for some Christians? Why on Earth?

Just think about "The Name of the Rose", that book they were hunting (and the blind priest was hiding), it was about comedy.

Now, are there still Christians thinking that laughter comes out of mockery and distorts the facial features into a devilish face, therefore it is a dreadful sin? (...and crying doesn't do the same thing, of course...)

Answer 1

Today most people welcome laughter as a healthy expression of emotion which is good for you.

However there have been times when higher value was placed on solemnity.

In the biblical record of the life of Jesus, it is noticeable that while it is recorded that he wept, it is nowhere stated that he laughed.

The Bible as a whole is very rich in expressions of most human emotions, but us strikingly devoid of jokes or humor.

I certainly would not want to live in a society dominated by Puritans. However, a Puritan convinced that the Bible is the sole and adequate guide to the right way to live might well look with disapproval on laughter. He preferred the entertainment of watching "witches" being hanged, and his idea of fun was cutting out the tongues of Quakers.

Answer 2

It doesn't really seem to me that there are many at all, if any, Christians now who think of laughter as a sin.

I think it is seen by the majority at least, as having lots of joy from God and the life he has given them.

As for mockery...well, not all laughter comes from mocking people, and the devilish face? Well, that does sound a strange idea to me. =P

I personally do not think that laughing makes someone's face look evil, it just looks like they are appreciating something that they have found amusing.

I think laughter is a celebration of life and God..I don't understand how fun was seen as a sin in the middle ages by the protestants when they shut down all the theatres and everything. Heh. ^^;

Answer 3

If something isn't defined or justified in the classes as a sin, then do not stick to it. it is why Christians %. and choose what to stick without of the Bible. some issues are appropriate and others at the instant are not. If it says intense laughter is a sin, even though it would not specify what intense is or why that's a sin, then you definately shouldn't stick to it. no person follows it (that i recognize of) it is Catholic or Christian besides, and there's a rationalization for it.

Answer 4

It's a Sin

As I look back upon my life
It's always with a sense of shame
I've always been the one to blame
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too

It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
It's a sin


Everything I've ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I've ever been
Everywhere I'm going to
It's a sin

At school they taught me how to be
So pure in thought and word and deed
They didn't quite succeed
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too

It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
It's a sin


Everything I've ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I've ever been
Everywhere I'm going to
It's a sin

Father, forgive me, I tried not to do it
Turned over a new leaf, then tore right through it
Whatever you taught me, I didn't believe it
Father, you fought me, 'cause I didn't care
And I still don't understand...

As I look back upon my life
Forever with a sense of shame
I've always been the one to blame

It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
It's a sin

It's a sin

Answer 5

Research show laughter to be a massive aid to healing.(unless you burst your stitches)It is also a great aphrodisiac. Humour also is a great leveller, it debunks humbug-gery. One of the best books on religion is 'Zen Flesh - Zen Bones' - its very funny

So may be the reason why is that SOME religious devotees fear it because debunk some aspects of religion. Look at the attack on 'The Life of Brian'. One of the funnest films ever and in no way does it attack Christianity only some of the nonsense surrounding it.

'He is not the Messiah, he is just a very naughty boy' and what about that excellent statement 'Always look on the bright side of life.'

Answer 6

I don't know anyone who thinks that. Besides, the name "Isaac" translates literally to "HAHAHAHAHA!"

"Let the nations sing let the streets be filled with laughter
With crowns of praise exalt the king with crowns exalt the king of kings" ~ my favorite Palm Sunday song.

The only place where that might have applied, come to think about it, is 17th century Russia. People wore beards because it was the way their faces had naturally formed, and they didn't want to shave when Peter the Great came back from Europe because it would disort their natural figure. Then there came beard taxes and forced "de-beardings", but that's beyond the point.

Answer 7

Joy and laughter come from above, but the love of sin doesn't, nor does ignorance.

Answer 8

I've never heard of that and, I don't think there's anything about that in the bible. That sounds like something from the middle ages.

I'm curious, what denomination were these Christians?

Answer 9

Uh,I don't know any Christians who think that laughter is a sin.

Answer 10

There's nothing wrong with enjoying CLEAN humor; in fact the Bible says that "a merry heart doeth good like a medicine".