Making fun of others

p_rehbein · Jan 28, 2022

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.

RichMan · Jan 28, 2022

The Scriptures you posted answered your question.

p_rehbein · Jan 28, 2022

Yes, sort of. The two from Proverbs are not speaking of Christians though. But, I guess, a Christian should not be engaged in "vain babblings."

Lynx · Jan 28, 2022

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.

p_rehbein · Jan 28, 2022

I guess I am one of the few here who have ever done something like this. You know, like seeing someone at Walmart and WOW! Or even seeing someone on the News or such and making comments about them. Now, to be fair, I don't do it a lot, but I am certainly guilty of it.

What brought it up is this last incident with the person who was demeaning Congregational Worship and the Holy Spirit. The "old soldier" in me has been something I have been at war with since my salvation. I will react quickly to defend what I believe is under attack, and I can get fairly aggressive.

It has bothered me for a couple of days now, and possibly God is working within me to root out this aggression. Anyway, I have decided to try and approach people in such a way that is a true reflection of the love of God, and not so much an Alabama butt whomping. I am praying about it, and I know God is able to overcome anything!

There is a Scripture that says we need to treat others in such a way as we desire them to treat us. Not those exact words, but that is the message. I'll see if I can find it, and post it here later today or whenever.

Anyway, God bless, and if anyone else wants to share, that would be great too!

p_rehbein · Jan 28, 2022

Hey! Found it quickly enough.......

Matthew 7:12 - Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

(some other good ones as well)

Luke 6:31 - And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Romans 12:18 - If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

(I know it will be a struggle......but God is with me)

Lynx · Jan 28, 2022

p_rehbein said:

Demeaning congregational worship? I have not seen this incident.

However it reminds me of a comedy act that was popular a few years ago, usually at youth services. Two guys would come out on stage and act like they were praying, preaching, prophesying, etc but they would ham it up as much as possible for laughs.

Maybe I'm just too old to see the humor.

RichMan · Jan 28, 2022

I am guilty. Especially with politicians.
I will also try to be more Christ like.

Lynx · Jan 28, 2022

Politician jokes are no fun. I've heard them all before. Everybody just recycles the same old jokes over and over, and slaps new names in.

I'm still waiting for President Biden to get word about the two Brazilians who were killed in combat. I've heard it with every president for the last two decades, but I haven't heard it with President Biden yet.

Lanolin · Jan 29, 2022

Ive never thought it was ok to make fun of people...especially in the pulpit.

I cant recall Jesus ever making fun of anyone he met.

But people sure made fun of Jesus, mocking him, saying come down from the cross when he was nailed there etc.

when I hear or see other people do it I just say dont. They dont have a right to pass judgement esp on someone they dont even know personally. as for polticians, I dont concern myself with what they say or do they just trying to run a country or consitutent and they are not perfect either. If I had something important to say to them I would write a letter or email and TELL them so. Not make some inane comment to someone else how I think they should act. Cos what are they going to do about it? nothing! I would address them because that is what they are there for, they have teams of people handling their correspondence and you can write or contact them anytime. As long as you do this respectfully I do not see the problem.

Likewise, people that complain about God whether He is doing or not doing whatever they think He should be doing...instead of complaining why not take direct action and PRAY.

Lynx · Jan 29, 2022

Lanolin said:

Uh...

Actually Jesus could be downright brutal when the situation called for it.

Nehemiah6 · Jan 29, 2022

p_rehbein said:

Actually "mockers" would fit.

Runningman · Jan 29, 2022

p_rehbein said:

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.

Ephesians 5:3-4
3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks

Making fun of people, even lightheartedly, probably falls into the inappropriate jesting category. People might have fun doing it, but I don't think God likes it. I believe that inappropriate joking can be a sin. It depends exactly what someone is saying.

Going_Nowhere · Jan 29, 2022

People have made fun of me before. I've been mocked, laughed at....and it's not fun. Especially if you're sensitive like I am.

Personally, I try not to make fun of anyone....to their face or behind their back. I don't believe in that kind of thing.

Speaking of mocking, this does bring to mind Elijah. And the instance when he mocked the priests of Baal.

1 Kings 18:27

27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.

Was it wrong of him to do that? 🤔

Going_Nowhere · Jan 29, 2022

Not to mention when children mocked Elisha because of his baldness. And we all know what came of that. 🥴

p_rehbein · Jan 30, 2022

Runningman said:

I would think that IF both parties were aware that the "making fun" was ONLY in fun, and both were involved, then I could see this, but, I agree with your comment.

p_rehbein · Jan 30, 2022

Going_Nowhere said:

Interesting question. I would think it was with Gods approval, but that is my opinion only.

Stanislav · Jan 30, 2022

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?

shittim · Jan 30, 2022

No doubt, we will all give an account of every thought, word and deed.

shittim · Jan 30, 2022

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.

Making fun of others

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