Know what I love? Laughing.
I do it every day, and most days repeatedly. I laugh at myself and my own stupidity. And I laugh at others and their stupidity, too. Because let's face it, people are funny.
There's an old saying that postulates that we must either laugh or cry, and so we might as well laugh. That's true, I think. Our world is such that it begs a reaction--either hope or doubt, love or hate, laughter or tears. And though I'm never one to diminish the power of tears, for me laughter's always won out in the end.
I've often wonder what made Jesus laugh. The Bible never says, though I'm sure He did. Jesus has gotten the bad rap of being a sad, weary God. Though that was certainly the case from time to time, I'm pretty sure He laughed a lot, too. I'm also pretty sure some of the things I find funny He wouldn't.
Which brings us to this weekend's question, courtesy of Dr. Gregory Stock's The Book of Questions. If you'd like, you can leave your answer in the comments.
Ready? Here goes:
What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?
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13 comments:
One of my favorite stories is that a man one day asked the late evangelist Rufus Moseley: "Brother Rufus, do you really think that Jesus laughed much?" Rufus smiled and replied, "Well, I don't know that Jesus did. But I know that He made it possible for me to."
I know I didn't answer your question. But I'm going to have to think on it awhile and get back to you.
Blessings, Billy.
You know, I suppose that depends on your own personal experience. There are certain things that are completely off limits for me. Crimes against chidren, as Valerie mentioned, rape, the Holocaust, 9/11 or any mass murder. Just not funny to me.
There are some that would be appauled that anyone would make fun of a serious diesease, but I have seen comedians who suffer from cerebral palsey who joke about their own condition.
I think any joke that is cruel or mean spirited, told in effect to laugh AT someone instead of WITH them, is off limits. For me, anyway.
Abuse of any kind, is no laughing matter.
There are things that are just hands off and we know those lines that should never be crossed.But the ability to laugh at yourself in moments of your own stupidity, priceless.
I am with Valerie on this one. Crimes against the totally innocent. The more I think about it though, there are no victimless crimes.
I grew up among folks who thought that laughter was not seeming for Christians. They would however, tell dirty jokes, use bathroom humor extensively,and poke fun at people's looks. Sailors would blush!
I love folks who make me laugh with clean, delightful, quick and sharp wit. Sometimes you just have to be there; it isn't funny in the re-telling! Laughing at myself and my foibles is good therapy. Laughing at others depends on the person and the circumstance. I would agree with the others about what is definitely off-limits for me as well! Some folks just need to lighten up!
I agree with Anne LB. One can't laugh at evil...Holocaust, Racism, rape, child exploitation, abortion..
But from a distance, I think we can laugh at our own personal tragedies, because when we are removed from it, we can see more clearly how God was helping us through and can laugh at ourselves for not seeing it at the time.
I would say that anything that is too serious for your "audience," be that a friend, coworker, family, whomever, is too serious to laugh about. If it will hurt someone around you, why is it truly funny?
Laughter is a wonderful thing, but it makes a searing weapon. It should always be wielded with care and gentleness.
Joking about anything that hurts someone else or makes them sad should not be done. That covers all the serious stuff already mentioned.
As for the rest of life ... I think I'm with Woody Allen - laughter is usually good.
"I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose." ~Woody Allen
I agree with what every one said, so I won't add another example. I will say that I read an article a long long time ago that a lady recounted her experience having surgery to remove one of her legs. As she woke up and her family surrounded her. They looked on grieving for her, her loss. As she gained her clear thoughts, she said she began to cry as if in total grief. Then as her family watched on she said, "I lose a whole leg and I still haven't lost any weight!" She felt that she still had her life and was surrounded by all the people that loved her, what was one leg in comparison. I have prayed every since reading this, that I would have that kind of out look on my life.
Crimes against chidren, abductions, rape, the Holocaust, 9/11, mass murders, and mental illness--they don't try to do strange things. Their minds think differently.
Injustice, evil, hurting other people -- I don't find anything funny about things like that.
But I think God loves to laugh because He created us with a sense of humor. Even tiny babies find things to laugh about. (Personally, I think there is nothing more wonderful in all the world than the sound of a baby's laughter.)
Katie's comment reminds me of my own mom. Amputation of one leg for circulatory problems took place 4 yrs. ago - at age 86. It was a rough ride, but the Lord was gracious. I had signed mom up for the podiatrist for her remaining foot. When the foot clinic announced a price increase mom complained to me. We went to talk to the nurse in charge. I suggested that she discuss with the clinic that because mom has only one foot she should only be charged half-price by the doctor! Not only did the nurse wholeheartedly agree with my logic, but my mother nearly died laughing! She has always loved a bargain!
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