Happiness and Laughter

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ChristinaAH

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John Chrysostom said that it’s sinful to laugh and be happy when there are people suffering in the world… and that every time someone laughs Christ suffers more on the Cross… he says this in a homily…

Is it a sin to laugh, to be happy?

My meds were working, and I was starting to become happy… but then my friend killed herself… Will God not allow Christians to be happy because it’s a sin?
 
but blessed are those who mourn… and woe to those who laugh…

read his Ephesians 5:4 commentary
 
St. John Chrysostom was a real hard-charger. On the flipside, St. Philip Neri was known for his cheerful personality. St. Josemaria Escriva once mused:
“drab clothing, long face, sour attitude… you expect to draw souls to Christ that way?”
ChristinaAH said:
sinful to laugh and be happy when there are people suffering in the world
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If that’s the case then I’m toast, thanks to my increasingly dark and grim sense of humor. Hey, it’s not my fault the world is crashing down around us. Who am I, the Messiah?
 
Chrysostom lived shortly after the time of Jesus. He was likely taught by those taught by the original Apostles.
 
Maybe not a sin, but foolish, as the Ayatollah teaches

“Allah did not create man so that he could have fun. The aim of creation was for mankind to be put to the test through hardship and prayer. An Islamic regime must be serious in every field. There are no jokes in Islam. There is no humor in Islam. There is no fun in Islam. There can be no fun and joy in whatever is serious.” — Ayatollah Khomeini
 
My friend survived… she’s in the hospital I’m so grateful!!!

I still have this question though…
 
For the record, he was also against extravagant mourning at people’s deaths.

D
 
End_Timer said:
Maybe not a sin, but foolish, as the Ayatollah teaches

“Allah did not create man so that he could have fun. The aim of creation was for mankind to be put to the test through hardship and prayer. An Islamic regime must be serious in every field. There are no jokes in Islam. There is no humor in Islam. There is no fun in Islam. There can be no fun and joy in whatever is serious.” — Ayatollah Khomeini
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Consider the source. Pardon me if I take every word out of Khomeini’s mouth with a gigantic grain of salt. I lived through the Iranian hostage crisis and remember well the protracted torment that man gleefully imposed on the USA. He had zero moral, philosophical or theological credibility, IMHO.
 
Psalm 149.3
Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

Ever tried dancing without enjoying yourself?
 
Precisely.

Quran 18.109
Say, “If the sea were ink for [writing] the words of my Lord, the sea would be exhausted before the words of my Lord were exhausted, even if We brought the like of it as a supplement.”

No individual, even an Ayatollah, can determine the whole will of Allah/God/Creator…
 
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
 
The theme of that commentary seems to be that we should act as if we are engaged in a fight, since we are in a fight. St. John Chrysostom thought that that meant never to jest – perhaps – but the point stands even if we think laughter is good. And I do think laughter is good. But consider laughter in war. It’s appropriate and good, but it must also be in the context of the reality at hand: a battle.

Some people’s whole lives are flippant. THAT is what the saint is railing against.
 
@ChristinaAH
ChristinaAH said:
John Chrysostom said that it’s sinful to laugh and be happy when there are people suffering in the world… and that every time someone laughs Christ suffers more on the Cross… he says this in a homily…

Is it a sin to laugh, to be happy?
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No,John Chrysostom said ,it because people where indulging in sin and merry making,and neglecting their neighbor they where uncharitable like the rich man Luke 16:19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ so we should be like the good Samaritan to help our neighbor whose who are in need,poor, suffering ,and not like the selfish and self indulgent,enjoy and laughing ,while other are suffering.

Ecclesiastes 2:2 “Laughter,” I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?” 3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.

John10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. Jesus came to save us and give us eternal happiness and not temporary he is the way as in John14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
ChristinaAH said:
My meds were working, and I was starting to become happy… but then my friend killed herself… Will God not allow Christians to be happy because it’s a sin?
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don’t worry ,each one are responsible of their own sins,the soul is more precious than the body,leave her in the hands of Jesus.
John14:1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going
 
ChristinaAH said:
but blessed are those who mourn…
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We have to Mourn for our sins ,as we hurt Jesus when we sin Jeremiah 13:17 But if you will not listen, my(Jesus) soul will weep in secret for your pride;my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock has been taken captive. Hebrews 5:7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

Romans 5:5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Jesus wants us to be happy,Matthew 11:28-30“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
ChristinaAH said:
and woe to those who laugh…
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It is because they sin in indulge in sin,merrymaking.here is the reason James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
 
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It’s interesting to do a search for the words “happy”, “happiness”, and “beatitude” on this website: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm.

That’s a link to an online Catechism of the Cathloic Church. Anyway, what can be a surprising teaching of our church is that God wants us to be happy, that’s always been His intention for man and He created us with that very desire.
 
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