Making fun of others

I recall the phrase,
"Great minds talk about ideas, average minds talk about events, small minds talk about people". I think there is some linkage here, I recall the old great comics such as Red Skelton, and such didn't need to demean others.

In general, people should not be ridiculed. Ideas, however, are very much subject to ridicule - and should be. If an idea is really stupid, it is open season (duck season! / wabbit season!) for ridicule. I mean, would anyone not ridicule the idea of a flat earth?

I am wondering if it is ok for Christians to make fun of others. Even those they do not know. I see and/or hear this all the time on TV Shows, and on the Radio. As well, I see it happening all around me. Even I am guilty of it sometimes. I try not to do it, but sometimes it slipps out before I can "bridle my tongue."

I listen to some Radio Shows that broadcast across the South, and enjoy them for the most part. Many of the Personalities are professed Christians. After all, this is the "Bible Belt." Yet, a lot of the jokes they make are about other people. Belittling them. Mocking them. Making fun of how they dress, walk, or speak.

When they do this, I admit I am uneasy listening to them, and wonder if they realize that it really does not present a "Christian" way of speaking of others. They justify it by saying they make fun of themselves also, but, IMO, that does not excuse their words. I wonder if they realize (or even care) how hurtful their words/actions can be?

I guess my question is:

Do you believe Christians get a "pass" when acting in such a way towards other people?

The times I have caught myself doing it, I immediately turned away and prayed for forgiveness and the strength to overcome the urge to act in such a way. Even though the person(s) had no idea what I had said, or how I had mocked them. I know it is not how Christians should treat their fellow man, nor how they should project the love of God for others. So, I guess that means we should resist the temptation to treat people in such a way.

Do you have Scriptures addressing this issue? I searched and found some that spoke of "mockers" and "scoffers," but they didn't seem to fit what I am speaking of.

Anyway, I would appreciate your thoughts.......

Proverbs 19:29 - Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools

1 Timothy 6:20 - O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

Proverbs 22:10 - Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

There are anti-vaxers today that are causing massive problems around the world. The "ideas" and misinformation of those people should, and must be mocked. Free speech relates to government; people freely speaking misinformation nonsense should definitely be punished with ridicule and ostracized by society. And should be until they realize that up with that nonsense, society will not put.

There are anti-vaxers today that are causing massive problems around the world. The "ideas" and misinformation of those people should, and must be mocked. Free speech relates to government; people freely speaking misinformation nonsense should definitely be punished with ridicule and ostracized by society. And should be until they realize that up with that nonsense, society will not put.

I watch a lot of stand-up comedy on youtube, and a lot of that makes fun of people.

My rule of thumb is, would the people they are talking about laugh at those jokes?

I know a lot of rednecks who find the "you might be a redneck if..." jokes hilarious. They are accurate and humorous without being cruel. Well, most of them.

Chuck Norris jokes, those are pretty good. Chuck Norris kind of gets a kick out of them.

But yeah, there are a lot of cruel jokes out there. I flip YouTube channels a lot.

There are anti-vaxers today that are causing massive problems around the world. The "ideas" and misinformation of those people should, and must be mocked. Free speech relates to government; people freely speaking misinformation nonsense should definitely be punished with ridicule and ostracized by society. And should be until they realize that up with that nonsense, society will not put.

In the past when people learned of their rights under the Constitution, they were taught that no right is valid when taken to be license without responsibility.
Freedom of speech is not being a negationist touting unfounded reasons to not protect oneself and others from disease. "Shall we ban all innoculations agains diseases or infections? I think not, this would be what the negationists would have.

Vax/antivax wasn't even part of this thread... until you dragged it in.

Are you another of those who feel compelled to add it to any topic of conversation? I sure hope not, because those people are SUCH bores!

Hi, I'm sorry to admit, but I just didn't catch your point. I wonder if you would take a moment to rephrase your response? I especially would appreciate how the word negationist was included. Cheers.

Unless you have been in a coma the past two years, I cannot understand anyone not understanding myu post. Naw, I will not elaborate further for it is plain enought for anyone not seeking a drawn out argument, and I am not predeisposed to such activity. God bless you.