Laughing At Sinful Jokes

[RedDuke50]

Is it a sin to laugh at jokes that are racist or mean to other people? If it is a sin, would it be mortal or venial?
Examples:
-I didn’t know your eyes were open!
-They’re so big the foundation got damaged.
-His head is so big that it caused an eclipse!

Thank you (Sorry if any of the examples offended anyone.)

 

[PiousTemplar]

Bump. I laugh at stupid over-the top insults I come across on the internet. They make me feel horrible.

 

[Edmundus1581]

The simple criteria I use for allowing myself to laugh at other people is to ask “Would I mind if the joke was turned on me?” If I would laugh just as much in that case, then I think it’s OK to laugh at someone else.

For instance, The Simpson’s “In Australia” episode made huge jokes at the expense of Australians, and I loved them all! Monty Python also have a go at Australians, and are very popular here.

You’ve got to be a bit careful with race jokes though, because they are “politically incorrect”, even if you wouldn’t mind having a similar joke about whatever race you are.

 

[Poetpeace]

Well when I went travelling for a bit, I got a lot of jokes about me being British. I didn’t mind to be honest, I thought they were funny too. I think as long as the person the jokes about doesn’t actually make them feel offended, then its no problem.

 

[Melkite_Sword]

hmm… what about those hidden camera jokes, I’m sure allot of people don’t want that to happen to them. I wouldn’t consider it sinful to laugh at though

 

[odhiambo]

Is it a sin to laugh at jokes that are racist or mean to other people? If it is a sin, would it be mortal or venial?
Examples:
-I didn’t know your eyes were open!
-They’re so big the foundation got damaged.
-His head is so big that it caused an eclipse!

If the jokes are "racist or mean to other people"as you have clearly stated, then they are in bad taste and should not be encouraged. Laughing at such jokes can be interpreted as encouragement. It is not a sin, no, but it shows a lack of sensitivity to others’ feelings.
The examples you have listed seem rather harmless to me unless of course I missed the “jokes”
Lastly, I agree completely with Poetpeace, If the joke is about me and I am OK with it, then all is well; if on the other hand, I am uncomfortable or outright upset, then the joke is bad and laughing at it would be insensitive, not sinful.
If your laughter is spiteful and meant to hurt, that is a completely different situation.

 

[RedDuke50]

Thank you for the answers. I asked this because my family makes a lot of jokes that can be racist or mean and I usually laugh at them because they are either funny or I don’t want to be mean (to the joker). Then I read in the Catechism to not encourage sin so I wanted to ask here.