When is sarcasm sinful?

[Tis_Bearself]

sometimes sarcasm can be funny

It is funny. Some people are naturally sarcastic. Some people, families and cultures also don’t tend to take sarcasm as being a hurtful thing, instead they see it as witty. It depends on who you’re talking to.

 

[ThomasMT]

I challenge you to give me a friendly example of sarcasm

There are numerous friendly, playful expressions of sarcasm that effectively convey lessons and point out absurdities. I suppose that if one is completely devoid of self-esteem and confidence, one could take every such expression as an affront to ones dignity. However, the intent of the speaker is not always the case.

Furthermore if, on the contrary, well-intentioned sarcasm is directed at someone with a big ego, it can serve to humble. I would also venture to speculate that it is a form of communication that may be more effective among men, who tend to enjoy playing a little more rough and strengthen bonds doing so.

As for a specific example… I need to start the day with some java first, please.

 

[paperwight]

As for a specific example… I need to start the day with some java first, please.

Well, I’m well ahead on that, being as it’s now past four o’clock over here, so a couple of examples.
When husband drops plate of biscuits ‘That’s an unusual way of serving them, darling. That’s what I love about you, your originality’…
When child uses outdoor voice indoors when playing a game ‘Do you think you could possibly speak a little louder, pet? I don’t think they heard you down at the Pier Head’.
(Any fellow Liverpudlians on here?)

 

[Irishmom2]

“There isn’t enough coffee in the world for my day to start off well.” = Sarcasm, @Maximian.

 

[Socrates92]

It was the way he said it that was creepy to me. You would have to be there to understand. Plus he waited for everyone to leave the room like he knew i wouldn’t take it as joke.

Gotcha. Extra context helps. If you actually felt threatened, I wouldn’t think a bit of sarcasm in your response would be wrong. There’s no obligation to be polite when threatened.

 

[Fiesta171]

Well it wouldn’t be sinful in situations such as like say it was a rainy day outside and said oh it’s a beautiful day. However it is sinful when you use to get the upper hand on someone or bring them down or ashame them. Say for example, to undermine someone, or manipulate someone.

 

[TK421]

Well it wouldn’t be sinful in situations such as like say it was a rainy day outside and said oh it’s a beautiful day.

IMO I would avoid using sarcasm in that instance because it conveys whininess and it reinforces pickiness about what (allegedly) is and isn’t good weather. Sarcasm is often hostility or irritability that is hidden behind humor, although the humor is rarely funny. The reason it is hidden behind humor is because then the person can avoid the consequences that usually come with being hostile.

And then if it becomes too rampant, it transitions from being an individual habit to a collective societal habit, or a collective habit within a certain workplace. It becomes a social norm to be sarcastic and complain about things and people end up reinforcing each other’s habit.