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Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

Title:Discussions from a Christian Perspective
Notice:Prostitutes and tax collectors welcome!
Moderator:CSC32::J_CHRISTIE
Created:Mon Sep 17 1990
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1362
Total number of notes:61362

510.0. "the ethics/morality of humorous criticism" by LGP30::FLEISCHER (without vision the people perish (381-0899 ZKO3-2/T63)) Wed Aug 26 1992 20:00

        The position has been taken in another topic that "making a
        person or the beliefs of a person the object of laughter is
        immoral."

        What is the Christian perspective on such behavior?

        Bob
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510.1Humor can be benign or used to malignCSC32::J_CHRISTIEKeep on loving boldly!Wed Aug 26 1992 22:0516
Interesting question, Bob.

I have found that humor can break tension like nothing else.  Humor can be
very thought provoking.  And because humor tickles, it has the appeal of being
fun and enjoyable.

Jesus used humor when making a point.  He used exaggeration and hyperbole to
conjure up some very amusing images.  We don't often see depictions of Jesus
enjoying a hearty laugh, but I feel certain he must have.

I also know from watching hundreds of hours of WWII era cartoons as a child
that humor can also be used to reinforce prejudices and build up contemptuous
and dehumanizing views towards others.

Peace,
Richard
510.2A few thoughts...LJOHUB::NSMITHrises up with eagle wingsWed Aug 26 1992 23:4314
    I try to make myself the object of laughter from time to time...
    
    I do that with/to my friends, also.
    
    Sometimes, even, doing that (or having it done to us) helps us see
    something about ourselves that we can work on -- and presents it
    in such a way as to enable us to see it and to know that the person
    presenting it loves and accepts us anyway.
    
    However, if the purpose is to cause pain or to belittle the 
    other person or his/her beliefs, that is a different matter.  (But
    showing inconsistency of belief does not necessarily equal belittling.)
    
    Nancy
510.3VIDSYS::PARENTdeep voices in the amazoneThu Aug 27 1992 00:3021
   Me I see humor even laughter as the sharp edged knife we like to
   cut tomatoes with.  Watch you fingers when using.

   I have been for much of my life both the source of laughter and the
   brunt of it.  You either understand it or develope paranoia.  It was
   frequently harsh and cruel, rare occasions though I had to laugh.
   It still reminds me why we laugh, it is an arrested form of fear
   no doubt.  it's funny when it's not us... but could be.

   There is the very specialized form satire, it's very funny because
   it creates absurdity and highlights things we sometimes don't talk
   about... or prefer not to.  It can be very painful when it's the
   later.   It's just another spotlight on the man and the bannana
   peel.

   All in all a good joke or something that strikes me funny does me 
   better than valium any day.

   Peace,
   Allison
510.4Christian Perspective of MockerySDSVAX::SWEENEYPatrick Sweeney in New YorkThu Aug 27 1992 01:5115
    Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and
    gathered the whole company of soldiers around him.  They stripped him and
    put a scarlet robe on him, and then wove a crown of thorns and set it
    on his head.
    
    They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked
    him.
    
    "Hail, King of the Jews!" they said.
    
    They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again
    and again.  After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put
    his own clothes on him.   Then they led him away to crucify him.
    
    Mt 27:27
510.5CSC32::J_CHRISTIEKeep on loving boldly!Thu Aug 27 1992 02:113
    Yeah, GI humor hasn't changed much.
    
    Richard
510.6JUPITR::HILDEBRANTI'm the NRAThu Aug 27 1992 12:529
    Re: .4
    
    Not the same thing. Humor, Satire are all very important to helping
    us, as people , survive.
    
    There is nothing immoral about the action. Its what's in the heart that
    is important.
    
    Marc H.
510.7defrosted architectureTFH::KIRKa simple songMon Aug 31 1992 18:5810
I'm reminded of a quote from the duo of Flanders and Swann.  (This is from 
memory, so if there are any other F&S fans out there, feel free to correct 
me.)  (A couple of their albums are subtitled "Respectable Music for 
Responsible People".  They were sort of an earlier English version of Tom 
Lerher.)

"The purpose of satire is to strip off the thin veneer of society and expose 
the dirty underbelly beneath it.  Our job, as I see it, is to put it back on 
again!"
                                   -- Michael Flanders