Thursday, 26 June 2008
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Question of the Day: Offensive Jokes
Every now and then, someone jokes about Christianity in front of us. Sometimes (and to some of us) the joke seems pretty harmless. Other times, the joke is totally distasteful. This presents the dilemma of whether we should say something or let it slide. On the one hand, it seems right to stand up for what you believe in. On the other hand (and I've heard this argument before), "Christians should just deal with it since it's near-impossible to go through life without hearing something offensive, whether it be about your race, religion, gender... " If you do choose to call the person out, how do you do so in a way that agrees with Jesus' teachings? I fear being too defensive, thus marking the faith as "dangerous territory" and a taboo topic for conversation.
How do you react when someone makes an offensive joke or comment about Christianity in front of you?
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Comments (54)
When it gets too far, I have two usual replies:
1) What made you say that?
2) I feel uncomfortable with jokes like that. Is it okay if we talk about something else?
Usually people back off, but then there are those who just don't get it and keep on being rude. To that, it's simple. Either walk away, or go "Any-waay.." :P
I do not think that Jesus would have turned the other cheek. I think that He would have would have confronted the joke teller in the way only He could - in the way best served --
As far as what *I* would do - I think I would take it on a case by case basis - depending on the person, the joke, and the audience.
As a non-Christian I don't always realize when I'm being offensive. In high school I offended the friend of a friend without realizing it, and when my friend told me they we're upset, I wanted to apologize. Sometimes it's needed for the offended party to speak up. Everyone hears offensive things but if you are truly upset you should just try to calmly say something. Sometimes people don't know they're upsetting you, so it's not always best to deal with it and walk away.
I think that It depends how offensive the joke is.If it is very serious, I will try to stop them.Then,i will pray to the lord.
i think you just need to get over it. you chose to be christian. people
deal with racist jokes all the time, and they didn't choose to be like
that. if you are going to have different beliefs than others, then you
should be prepared to be made fun of.
I don't say say anything until it becomes excessive. If it gets to the point where someone is knocking Christianity every time we have a discussion, I'll ask them to tone it down and consider giving me the same amount of respect I give them. If they don't respond, I'll drop the subject and make a point to have less reduce the amount of conversations we have.
Well apparently the "Turn the Other Cheek" method of dealing is dead. Which is sad because it's right there. Plain as day. God will defend you. You're best off keeping your yap shut 99% of the time.
that's a really good question,though it is quite controversial...it happened to me many times...and the worst is that the people who were making these jokes were Muslims...so it was some kind of a personal offense...i was wondering how to react-to fight back ( which would put me down to their level) or just to keep silent ( which would be a lack of responsibility) ....so i just tried to convince them that this is really disrespectful and i asked them how would they feel if someone had made a joke about their "religion"...
anyway,i think it's not only a bad taste or low intelligence to make such kind of jokes ( the joke about the race and origin ar included as well) but it is a kind of hidden personal offense....
My reaction is always different, because the joke isn't really just a joke sometimes. Then again, I probably react much the same way most people do.
I give a bland smile and say something relevant to the topic, so they know they've just insulted me and my Lord, but I'll still be nice anyway. It put the pressure on them to be polite, without me actually saying I was offended. I have a long-haired, bearded aquaintance who responds to those who use "Jesus Christ" as a curse by saying, "Actually, no, but I do look a lot like him. I can introduce you, if you want."
One day last summer a woman I had just met said, (in what she thought was a joke) "Oh, you're not a F******* Christian, are you?" To which I smiled widely and replied, "Yes, I am! And you're welcome here any time!"
@Royford@xanga - Turning the other cheek is for someone who deliberately abuses you (physicallly or verbally). Often those making jokes are just ignorant, defense is unnecessary. I think Jesus would totally approve of a gentle answer that may help someone see Him in a different light.
I'm all for respecting peoples' beliefs, culture, ethnic background, etc. And therefore if a joke is offensive to you, feel free to speak up! Chances are the person who was telling the joke to you was probably trying to make you laugh, not make you upset, and it would be a fair response to explain that you do not find it funny. But PLEASE don't turn it into a biblical lecture or sermon. I've seen this happen and it did nothing but frustrate the other parties involved. It is most definitely your place to explain your feelings to them, but it's not necessarily okay to push your beliefs onto them. Who knows, this might be as insulting to them as their joke is to you. Feel it out first. Do they WANT to talk about it beyond clearing up the misunderstanding? I'm not saying don't spread God's word. I'm just saying be careful, you might end up pushing people farther away.
I just deal with it.
We don't have enough time to get angry.
I have always heard to "turn the other cheek," but I am not taking this as something that means to just let someone get by with it. I would say something like, "Hey, I am a Christian and I find that really offensive. I would really like it if you wouldn't joke about things like that in front of me. Thanks." People need to know that you're a Christian and that you do not agree with what they are doing. If they see that people don't enjoy it all of the time, they may go home and think on it for a while. You could been a really good witness in an instance such as that.
God bless you all.
A lot of Christians are very judgmental people, and often look down on others for their beliefs or lifestyles. If you are that type of Christian, how is it any different that a person is judging you based on your beliefs or lifestyle?
Just as you would call out a gay person for being gay, somebody is calling you out for being Christian. Just like you would disapprove Ouija boards and witch craft, another would disapprove bibles and visits to church.
Honestly (some not all) Christians are hypocrites and rather egotistical to think that they're allowed to dish it out, but nobody's allowed to supply them with their own dose of opposing insights.
But, if you are not one of those Christians (and be honest with yourself), tell the person that it offends you. Non-believers aren't necessarily heartless, they would, in most cases, understand.
p.s. and if they don't understand, it shouldn't effect you much anyway.
you believe in what you believe in for a reason, to lose faith over a simple joke, would prove you to be uncommitted to God.
If it offense God - call them out. there's room for "holy anger" like Jesus clearing the temple. but if it's just offensive to us Christians, it could be useful to see where that joke come from and we can prolly learn something from it (if applicable).
I am so glad you asked this question. I am not sure how to react to most offensive jokes. If it's on t.v., I turn it off. If I am in a room and hear it, I leave the room. I realize we should stand up for our beliefs sometimes, but once I'm labeled as a "judgemental christian" for calling someone out on it, then how am I ever going to witness to them? It's a thin line to walk...
Most of the time I ignore them, and act as though I did not hear what they said. Proverbs says that we should not answer a fool according to his folly, and when someone makes that sort of joke just to get a rise out of me, I can safely ignore them, while praying for them.
However, if the joke is made out of ignorance, there have been times where I've gathered myself together, and challenged a person on that view. Never have I had a bad reaction to a challenge: most people will apologize for offending me, and watch their language more closely the next time the subject comes up.
I would like to point out that atheists are by far the most maligned group of people in the US. Sure, some people joke about Christianity, but Christians are not discriminated against because of it in the US - people are discriminated against if they are NOT Christian.
A recent poll showed that Americans would rather have a gay Christian as president of the US than a straight atheist. George HW Bush once said that atheists should not be considered citizens and not have the right to vote.
The US has freedom of religion, but it should also have freedom FROM religion. Anytime a person professes atheism the typical Christian thinks there is something wrong with them, and often tries to get them to "see the light."
As a committed atheist, I believe only in that which can be scientifically proven. There is overwhelming evidence that the universe is a naturally occuring phenomenon and life arose by evolution via natural selection. To me, this makes far more sense that an invisible deity, up in the sky, answering our prayers and punishing what he considers sinful.
And yet, because I choose to base my belief system on critical analysis of scientific facts, I am discriminated against by people like you.
It used to offend me, and make me angry. But then, our pastor kind've forced upon us the belief that Christians should not take offense. If something offended us, we were told it was silly and stupid. He even mentioned a scripture -- I can't remember it though.
A lot of things don't really offend me anymore, now.
If my reaction to a distasteful joke or comment would include saying something that Jesus wouldn't, I try to think about what he would... But sometimes I can't, so I say nothing, but I still feel bad for keeping quiet.
How about an example?
If it's a denominational joke, and we're poking fun at ourselves along with another denomination, then what's the harm. (e.g. punchlines like: I was predestined to make that joke about Calvinism; I was just sinning boldly; I'm not worried about that, somebody's just going to pray me out of purgatory.)
If it rips on our focusing on the minutiae of theological opinions as opposed to the true religion of taking care of widows and orphans, then we should just laugh it off and accept that others can see through our pious exteriors.
I agree. it depends who said it and how they mean it.
if they are nasty and is just looking for trouble, i'd talk to them. I'd tell them, first of all, that what they said hurts my feelings. and then, i'd hopefully intelligently lay out my 15 responses to their offensive joke/comment and see what they have to say back :]
other times, ppl are strangers and they just wanna be mean to you. Those, i probably ignore because they can be dangerous.
My boyfriend is frequently in situations where his co-workers make fun
of Christianity in very offensive ways. I have to say I admire the way
he handles it. It is often the case that he just lets it go, knowing
that arguing with them about semantics will only serve to alienate him
from them. Instead, he responds in grace, knowing that his example will
speak far louder than his words. Jesus did not sit with the prostitutes
and tax collectors so that He could tell them they were wrong in their
jokes. He loved them as they were. That's how we should respond. Like
Jesus did. Once you've developed a relationship with the offender, I
think it's wise and good to gently explain where you stand, and if
there's enough respect between the two of you, then things should more
or less be ok.
@biotony87@xanga - I hate to disagree, but dissociating with people is a great way to show them pride and arrogance in thinking you are above that, when Jesus Himself was not. I'd recommend loving them into His arms before explaining how their words offend not only you, but Jesus Himself.
There's my two cents for the week.