Mean joke on TV show

[StJoseph8]

I don’t know if anyone remembers the show * The Jeffersons* but the couple played a cameo role in a TV show I saw last night. George, the husband, made a crack joke about his wife that made me laugh hard, but I slowed down because it was a very mean joke. Could this constitute as a grave matter, laughing at a mean joke for a few seconds?

 

[Viki63]

How would you answer your question if someone else asked it?

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[Petaro]

Firstly, you were looking at a fictional situation that was made to make you laugh. You hurt no one. Sometimes, we find ourselves laughing at the incongruity of a situation rather than the people involved. Laughter is often spontaneous and does not come from intent which is needed for a serious sin. You had no malice in you against anyone real.
All things needed, including serious matter, was lacking in your reaction. No sin.
Be a bit more gentle to yourself. Look at your good values you bring to your everyday life; not at every situation as a possible sin.
A good consistent spiritual adviser may be of great advantage to your so obvious search from spiritual perfection. God bless you.

 

[Mi3hael]

Lets just remember this was a fictional situation designed to get an impulse laugh.

Of course you shouldn’t feel bad about laughing, relax a little.

I like to think of Jesus and the desiples telling jokes and having a laugh, 13 blokes together.

 

[edward_george]

Based on this and some of your other posts, you might want to speak with a priest outside of confession about scrupules. Asking for opinions on the internet is just going to lead you to be further enabled in these sorts of thoughts.

-Fr ACEGC

 

[Billy112]

I sometimes catch myself laughing, not because I find something funny, but out of shock, for example, when someone uses really awful language all of the sudden. You can give yourself the benefit of the doubt in these sorts of things. I agree with other posters that you might want to talk to a priest about scrupulosity.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

Sorry to be off topic but I have a problem with “What Would You Do”. I think it is on ABC. Actors put people in awkward and disturbing situation without their consent just to see what they would do. They are informed afterwards and usually laugh about it, at least the ones they show. And then I presume consent is given to air. I for one would not appreciate the initial set up. I am sure my heart would race, my blood pressure go up, who knows what could happen.

 

[StJoseph8]

Thanks for the responses. I figured it was not a grave matter. Yes, I have been thinking about seeing a spiritual director, but all of the priests I knew from RCIA 2 years ago are all gone, so I need to get acquainted with the new priests.

Sorry to be off topic but I have a problem with “What Would You Do”. I think it is on ABC. Actors put people in awkward and disturbing situation without their consent just to see what they would do. They are informed afterwards and usually laugh about it, at least the ones they show. And then I presume consent is given to air. I for one would not appreciate the initial set up. I am sure my heart would race, my blood pressure go up, who knows what could happen.

Actually, I too have something a bit off topic. What do you guys think of the movie Beetlejuice? I remember seeing it as a kid and thought that some parts were pretty funny, but I saw an old thread here where it sounded like it was something to avoid. I see it only as a comedy. What do you all think?

 

[pianistclare]

Thanks for the responses. I figured it was not a grave matter. Yes, I have been thinking about seeing a spiritual director, but all of the priests I knew from RCIA 2 years ago are all gone, so I need to get acquainted with the new priests.

Actually, I too have something a bit off topic. What do you guys think of the movie Beetlejuice? I remember seeing it as a kid and thought that some parts were pretty funny, but I saw an old thread here where it sounded like it was something to avoid. I see it only as a comedy. What do you all think?

I think Father’s suggestion about getting help for scruples is on point.

 

[Viki63]

Actually, I too have something a bit off topic. What do you guys think of the movie Beetlejuice? I remember seeing it as a kid and thought that some parts were pretty funny, but I saw an old thread here where it sounded like it was something to avoid. I see it only as a comedy. What do you all think?

I remember it as pretty funny, but don’t think I could handle it now as a Christian. The view of the afterlife is so gross, it has nothing to do with reality. But it is a Tim Burton comedy, totally screwball.

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