Making fun of others

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JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
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#21
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.
"Gertrude. Yes Heathcliff."
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#23
I was just looking at this same video. Great minds, right?
 

shittim

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2016
13,804
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113
#24
Our God has given you and I an appreciation of goodness.
blessings
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,693
6,884
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#25
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?
hey, Hey, HEY, HEY

ewiebodies noze da earths be flatz
 

shittim

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2016
13,804
7,785
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#26
I have heard people who espoused that and I just don't know what to say.:confused::unsure:
 

Stanislav

New member
Jan 30, 2022
14
1
1
#27
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.
 

blueluna5

Well-known member
Jul 30, 2018
657
393
63
#28
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.

In the past I would say absolutely not. Now...I would say it depends. As a rule I try to stand clear of making fun of Christians even if I don't agree with them personally. That's more or less a code, such as not making fun of family accept to their face! 😆

There are some great Christian Comedians that obviously make fun of people. I think it's all in good fun, not in jest. It's not meant as a bullying type of situation. Also comedy is a great way to learn something new. It's giving information, typically terrible info into a funny twist.

On the flip side memes are all the rage nowadays. It's geared toward politicians and companies bc the formulas can't detect the memes as easily. I find this hilarious. Is it wrong? I think it's the greater good. For example many companies will post some absurd liberal quote about idk people looking at child porn not being the same as child molesting. People ripped this organization down using insults and humor and they removed it.

We are in an information war right now. Humor is a part of that war and I don't consider it wrong when you realize what they are trying to accomplish and normalize.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
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#29
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.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
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#30
well you can just say 'that's silly' rather than make fun of them

Like when a child tells an obvious fib.
 

shittim

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2016
13,804
7,785
113
#31
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.


Please read up on Mass Formation Psychosis.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,883
1,952
113
#32
Considering the concept of Righteous Judgment, I wouldn't recommend anyone make fun of another.
 
J

jennymae

Guest
#33
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.
I love redneck jokes, but then again we’re a whole mess of rednecks around so we ain’t exactly no minority in that aspect. Growing up in Lower Alabama sorta makes one used to mockery and whatnot, but of course, some jokes are real bad and way out of line. I remember watching tv along with my loudmouth uncle, and this politician from somewhere upstate was being interviewed. He just gazed at the screen and said “Now she’s is (very bad word) way too (nasty way of describing a fellow human’s appearance), totally oblivious to the fact that his wife sitting next to him fitted his description precisely.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,359
9,373
113
#34
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.
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!
 

Stanislav

New member
Jan 30, 2022
14
1
1
#35
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.
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.
 

Stanislav

New member
Jan 30, 2022
14
1
1
#36
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!
No, it was just an example used to illustrate that bad ideas should be mocked and ridiculed. Not necessarily people - ideas. Like flat earthers, etc.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,359
9,373
113
#37
Phew! That's a relief! :whistle:
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#38
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.
 

Stanislav

New member
Jan 30, 2022
14
1
1
#39
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.
Just trying to understand your position. Could you reference an earlier explanation?
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#40
UInless English is your second language, I am not falling into this. I do speak some French but fifty years haave elapsed since I was fluent. So I am no good to you in that department.