Irreverent humor, laughing, and culpability

[Epistemes]

As we all know, some comedians, sitcoms, and some cartoons use irreverent humor on a frequent basis. Comedians like Richard Pryor and Dane Cook are known for their vulgarity and profanity; cartoons like *Family Guy *are known for delving into controversial subjects like domestic violence, abortion and stem-cell research and, in turn, making light of those subjects; sitcoms like *It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia * frequently use sexual jokes, among other things.

How culpable are we then when we laugh?

Laughing, it seems, is not participating in the sin, but is it suggesting that “it’s okay”? If I laugh at a joke about fornication, how culpable am I, especially if I intently live according to the principle of chastity?

What if I find it humorous or funny, but don’t laugh for the sake of conscience or (alas) scrupulosity?

If anything, I see laughter or finding inappropriate things humorous as indications of imperfection, but is it something to be confessed? I seriously doubt it.

Would I laugh at a joke about abortion? No.
Would I laugh about a joke which blatantly defames our Lord? No.
Have I laughed at Richard Pryor’s foul-mouthed race jokes? Yes, several times, and probably will continue to.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

As we all know, some comedians, sitcoms, and some cartoons use irreverent humor on a frequent basis. Comedians like Richard Pryor and Dane Cook are known for their vulgarity and profanity; cartoons like *Family Guy *are known for delving into controversial subjects like domestic violence, abortion and stem-cell research and, in turn, making light of those subjects; sitcoms like *It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia *frequently use sexual jokes, among other things.

How culpable are we then when we laugh?

Laughing, it seems, is not participating in the sin, but is it suggesting that “it’s okay”? If I laugh at a joke about fornication, how culpable am I, especially if I intently live according to the principle of chastity?

What if I find it humorous or funny, but don’t laugh for the sake of conscience or (alas) scrupulosity?

If anything, I see laughter or finding inappropriate things humorous as indications of imperfection, but is it something to be confessed? I seriously doubt it.

Would I laugh at a joke about abortion? No.
Would I laugh about a joke which blatantly defames our Lord? No.
Have I laughed at Richard Pryor’s foul-mouthed race jokes? Yes, several times, and probably will continue to.

AFAICS, absolutely anything can be a source of humour: the Shoah, the Pope, the paedophilia scandals, the Crucifixion, absolutely anything - they are all of them fair game.​

Humour is socially very useful: it acts as a release for frustration - there is absolutely nothing one can do about the criminal negligence of bishops who allowed predatory clerics to debauch the laity, so laughter is a way of letting of steam; it’s better that happen, than than the the bishops should be lynched, which is what they deserve. The Pope’s not done anything - he can afford not to, because he has all the power in the Church. The solution is to mock them & him.

 

[larry85704]

Why can’t there be humor that is not offensive?

Can there be? Is is all humor offensive to somebody?

 

[Bookcat]

AFAICS, absolutely anything can be a source of humour: the Shoah, the Pope, the paedophilia scandals, the Crucifixion, absolutely anything - they are all of them fair game.​

Humour is socially very useful: it acts as a release for frustration - there is absolutely nothing one can do about the criminal negligence of bishops who allowed predatory clerics to debauch the laity, so laughter is a way of letting of steam; it’s better that happen, than than the the bishops should be lynched, which is what they deserve. The Pope’s not done anything - he can afford not to, because he has all the power in the Church. The solution is to mock them & him.

Some things should not be the matter of Jokes etc (at least the disrespectful kind) …such as Jesus, Mary the Pope etc.

Again if they are disrespectful --they should not be told…

 

[Bookcat]

As we all know, some comedians, sitcoms, and some cartoons use irreverent humor on a frequent basis. Comedians like Richard Pryor and Dane Cook are known for their vulgarity and profanity; cartoons like *Family Guy *are known for delving into controversial subjects like domestic violence, abortion and stem-cell research and, in turn, making light of those subjects; sitcoms like *It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia * frequently use sexual jokes, among other things.

How culpable are we then when we laugh?

Laughing, it seems, is not participating in the sin, but is it suggesting that “it’s okay”? If I laugh at a joke about fornication, how culpable am I, especially if I intently live according to the principle of chastity?

What if I find it humorous or funny, but don’t laugh for the sake of conscience or (alas) scrupulosity?

If anything, I see laughter or finding inappropriate things humorous as indications of imperfection, but is it something to be confessed? I seriously doubt it.

Would I laugh at a joke about abortion? No.
Would I laugh about a joke which blatantly defames our Lord? No.
Have I laughed at Richard Pryor’s foul-mouthed race jokes? Yes, several times, and probably will continue to.

Some jokes …about Jesus…Mary …the Pope etc are disrespectful and should not be told.

In general I would say we should avoid laughing at such jokes and the others you mention…

But also remember that “laughing” is a reaction --and sometimes we can not ‘stop’ right away…

so if one starts to laugh at some “bad joke” but tries to stop…and stops when one can…one is not willing it and thus is not sinning and is actually acting with virtue!

Of course if I go to an Eddy Murphy live show – I know the kind of humor it is largely going to be!! So that would not be a good thing and I would be responsible for the fact of going…

 

[Highwayhound]

As we all know, some comedians, sitcoms, and some cartoons use irreverent humor on a frequent basis. Comedians like Richard Pryor and Dane Cook are known for their vulgarity and profanity; cartoons like *Family Guy *are known for delving into controversial subjects like domestic violence, abortion and stem-cell research and, in turn, making light of those subjects; sitcoms like *It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia * frequently use sexual jokes, among other things.

How culpable are we then when we laugh?

Laughing, it seems, is not participating in the sin, but is it suggesting that “it’s okay”? If I laugh at a joke about fornication, how culpable am I, especially if I intently live according to the principle of chastity?

What if I find it humorous or funny, but don’t laugh for the sake of conscience or (alas) scrupulosity?

If anything, I see laughter or finding inappropriate things humorous as indications of imperfection, but is it something to be confessed? I seriously doubt it.

Would I laugh at a joke about abortion? No.
Would I laugh about a joke which blatantly defames our Lord? No.
Have I laughed at Richard Pryor’s foul-mouthed race jokes? Yes, several times, and probably will continue to.

This is a question everyone has to address in their lifetime. When I came to a conclusion I decided it is better not to laugh at some attempts at humor. I had to examine my inner thoughts to decide what I found acceptable.

How culpable are we when we laugh? (First, I had to look up the definition of culpable.) I would say laughing at the types of jokes described would entail a high degee of culpability. The reason for a high degree of culpability is that we are called to be a light for others to see. If we laugh at such jokes do we lead people to Christ or our we leading them down a different path?

In essence we are being negligent of our duties as Christians. There have been many times at the firehall when I simply shake my head back and forth at an attempted joke. I try not to condemn anyone, but at the same time show no approval.

Since I came to my conclusions and made changes in how I view humor my life has not suffered from lack of laughter. My friends and I have a great time when we get together. You would die from laughter if you ever saw my friend Josh’s impersonation of the Jesus Lizard.

It is an interesting question you pose.

God bless

 

[moviefanatic]

I think another wrinkle to this whole topic is one that interests me – and that is the presence of children. I have children ages 16 - 22, and they like some of these shows. I just heard (I was in the kitchen, so I didn’t see) the latest “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and it was really offensive. I have a good sense of humor but this was just gross and unfunny. I deleted the show from the tv and the kids were upset. My husband said that I let them watch other stuff that’s bad, and maybe I’m too lenient, but this show really crossed the line. And my point on this “culpability” thread is that there’s more culpability when you are responsible for others, esp. children, even grown children.

 

[colmcille1]

I think another wrinkle to this whole topic is one that interests me – and that is the presence of children. I have children ages 16 - 22, and they like some of these shows. I just heard (I was in the kitchen, so I didn’t see) the latest “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and it was really offensive. I have a good sense of humor but this was just gross and unfunny. I deleted the show from the tv and the kids were upset. My husband said that I let them watch other stuff that’s bad, and maybe I’m too lenient, but this show really crossed the line. And my point on this “culpability” thread is that there’s more culpability when you are responsible for others, esp. children, even grown children.

Hi moviefanatic,
I agree with you on this. I think it’s important to bear in mind that jokes are part of an oral tradition stretching way back to the year dot. They are the products of the street corner, the tavern, the ancient forum(!). It is part of their essence to be irreverent, rude or downright blasphemous. I’d wager the great majority of jokes today are not to be found in print. Think of how quickly a gag pops up as soon as there is some big breaking news story. I recall hearing several the day after Michael Jackson died.
Having said all of that, I think you are right to mention “culpability” with regard to parental responsibility. It is via such reponsibility that I believe our own consciences (and thereby our sense of humour) can be informed fully in accordance with our Faith.
God Bless,
Colmcille.

 

[Pat_De]

As we all know, some comedians, sitcoms, and some cartoons use irreverent humor on a frequent basis. Comedians like Richard Pryor and Dane Cook are known for their vulgarity and profanity; cartoons like *Family Guy *are known for delving into controversial subjects like domestic violence, abortion and stem-cell research and, in turn, making light of those subjects; sitcoms like *It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia * frequently use sexual jokes, among other things.

How culpable are we then when we laugh?

Laughing, it seems, is not participating in the sin, but is it suggesting that “it’s okay”? If I laugh at a joke about fornication, how culpable am I, especially if I intently live according to the principle of chastity?

What if I find it humorous or funny, but don’t laugh for the sake of conscience or (alas) scrupulosity?

If anything, I see laughter or finding inappropriate things humorous as indications of imperfection, but is it something to be confessed? I seriously doubt it.

Would I laugh at a joke about abortion? No.
Would I laugh about a joke which blatantly defames our Lord? No.
Have I laughed at Richard Pryor’s foul-mouthed race jokes? Yes, several times, and probably will continue to.

Everyone mocks or profanes the God of Glory every time one watches that which He hates, much less laugh at it. There is little on TV that Jesus would commend and even with that the commercials would offend Him. I am guilty and have sinned numerous times before God in this matter and I repent. I am getting to the opinion that it is better to banish the TV or only use the DVR that which is good or harmless so you can fast forward through the vial commercials.

 

[colmcille1]

Everyone mocks or profanes the God of Glory every time one watches that which He hates, much less laugh at it. There is little on TV that Jesus would commend and even with that the commercials would offend Him. I am guilty and have sinned numerous times before God in this matter and I repent. I am getting to the opinion that it is better to banish the TV or only use the DVR that which is good or harmless so you can fast forward through the vial commercials.

Hi Pat De,
Good point. I have just three TV channels. Triple yawning!
I like movies so I own a DVD player and several DVDs.
Television is junk. Who was it that said it was “chewing gum for the eyes”?
One should cultivate a discerning sense of humour and not just laugh 'cos everyone’s laughing. Is there a kind of moral relativism of humour going on nowadays, do you think?
God Bless,
Colmcille.

 

[Pat_De]

Hi Pat De,
Good point. I have just three TV channels. Triple yawning!
I like movies so I own a DVD player and several DVDs.
Television is junk. Who was it that said it was “chewing gum for the eyes”?
One should cultivate a discerning sense of humour and not just laugh 'cos everyone’s laughing. Is there a kind of moral relativism of humour going on nowadays, do you think?
God Bless,
Colmcille.