Who was Jesus? On the Lighter side!

Scofflaw

Scofflaw wrote:

Name of the Rose

Hmm. Or would "Life of Brian" be more apt, in this case?

cordially,
Scofflaw

I liked that book, it was very good.

Scofflaw

Medina wrote:

After all this thread has degenerated into a flame war, so that was pretty lame, although it shows great potential to offend billions of Christians and Muslims worldwide, isn't that cause for celebration, you must be very proud, what an achievement!!!!!

This is a flame war? No, no! This is just tetchy. However, I'm impressed by our potential global reach...

cordially,
Scofflaw

Medina

Scofflaw wrote:

This is a flame war? No, no! This is just tetchy. However, I'm impressed by our potential global reach...

cordially,
Scofflaw

Great that means there's more gems to come, what thoroughly enjoyable reading

bmoferrall

Quite funny...Jesus would probably chuckle.
Perhaps the God of Leviticus wouldn't be so amused!!
Huh, they're the same?

UU

Medina wrote:

Sorry UU, it really isn't offensive enough:D I know you can do better :rolleyes:

After all this thread has degenerated into a flame war, so that was pretty lame, although it shows great potential to offend billions of Christians and Muslims worldwide, isn't that cause for celebration, you must be very proud, what an achievement!!!!!

***clapping and cheering for UU****

All right, I'll post a picture of the infamous cartoon of Mohammed for you next time then if you want. I saw it, but I bet most of the Muslims who were burning down buildings never even saw the cartoon. It wasn't that bad really.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Medina wrote:

Great that means there's more gems to come, what thoroughly enjoyable reading

Medina, who is holding the gun to your head?

athena 2000

Scofflaw wrote:

This is a flame war? No, no! This is just tetchy. However, I'm impressed by our potential global reach...

cordially,
Scofflaw

Me too. We need more servers...

Puck

UU, don't be the one who makes me lock this thread. There's a difference between being unintentionally offensive in a joke and being plain abusive in a rant. Guess which one I'm more inclined to put up with.

UU wrote:

For god's sake, one of the only humourous thread we see in a while and some boring, plank-faced idiot comes along and starts ranting about being offended. That's the problem these days, people are offended too easily! They can never take a joke at something. Sure we take the pïss out of religion and politics all the time. If one remembers the riots over the cartoon of Mohammed, that was an extreme example of idiocity and crap. So those posters who are as dry as prune, I'd love to do the honours of shoving a stick of dynamite up your ass before I get struck down on Judgement Day!

Oh did you hear, some conservative Christians in America claim that an Armagedon is going to happen in about twenty years so they're preparing to be sucked up to heaven. They have bumper stickers and all to warn non-christians in case they're wondering why they're floating up to the clouds during a traffic jam.

Then, if you have been in Tehran recently in Iran, you may have noticed how clean and done up it is recently. That's because the president claims some returning prophet is going to jump out of a well any day soon. The residents don't mind though because it's probably the only way the governement will fix up the city.

Let me know if that isn't offensive enough for you. Lighten up everyone!

T-1111111111111

Puck wrote:

UU, don't be the one who makes me lock this thread. There's a difference between being unintentionally offensive in a joke and being plain abusive in a rant. Guess which one I'm more inclined to put up with.

Thread should be locked, however UU should be banned for he is unsulting others in his posts.

Medina

UU wrote:

All right, I'll post a picture of the infamous cartoon of Mohammed for you next time then if you want. I saw it, but I bet most of the Muslims who were burning down buildings never even saw the cartoon. It wasn't that bad really.

Go on then, post that picture, and if you're as 'conscience-free' as you make yourself out to be, then go and post it on the Islamic forum.

After all if its fine to 'take the piss out of religion and politics' you shouldn't have any problems.

UU wrote:

sure we take the pïss out of religion and politics all the time. If one remembers the riots over the cartoon of Mohammed, that was an extreme example of idiocity and crap.

Btw, thanks for posting this little beauty, you actually proved the point I was making in the Feedback forum, which was that other posters would think we Christians think its fine to take the piss-(and I doubt Brian would commend this sentiment), and also that it then becomes hard to draw a line between an 'offensive' pisstake and a 'non-offensive' pisstake.

UU, your posts are actually doing me more of a favour on this thread..you're a classic example of 'give a man enough rope and he'll hang himself'

Cheers man

Medina

Ikky Poo2 wrote:

Medina, who is holding the gun to your head?

No. 1 - My Conscience
No. 2 - My respect for religion - any religion - and their leaders

UU

Oh lighten up! Honestly, it's no wonder this world is in such a state of chasis! That is because people are way too serious. If there's one thing that'll get you into heaven, it's being able to have a bit of F.U.N and taking a joke. So smile - there's nothing to be grumpy about. Put all your worries in your el kit bag and smile, smile, smile

Medina

So you're not gonna post that picture after all??

Thank God for small mercies...oooh amn't I supposed to post that in Brian's new sticky?

Scofflaw

What's perversely amusing about the whole thread is that religion's lack of humour is probably one of the contributory factors in its modern decline. People don't like to have to take anything seriously if they can help it - and no, they're not perfectible, and yes, the good news is supposed to go out to everyone, deep and shallow alike.

cordially,
Scofflaw

Puck

UU wrote:

Oh lighten up! Honestly, it's no wonder this world is in such a state of chasis! That is because people are way too serious. If there's one thing that'll get you into heaven, it's being able to have a bit of F.U.N and taking a joke. So smile - there's nothing to be grumpy about. Put all your worries in your el kit bag and smile, smile, smile

Tell that to this guy:

UU wrote:

So those posters who are as dry as prune, I'd love to do the honours of shoving a stick of dynamite up your ass

I do feel terrible that you are forced to live in a world where you will encounter people who disagree with you UU, honestly sometimes it makes me almost weep for you.

You will play nice or you will go away.

Medina

Scofflaw wrote:

What's perversely amusing about the whole thread is that religion's lack of humour is probably one of the contributory factors in its modern decline. People don't like to have to take anything seriously if they can help it - and no, they're not perfectible, and yes, the good news is supposed to go out to everyone, deep and shallow alike.

cordially,
Scofflaw

Religion is not a sitcom.
You don't have to make cheap gags to pull in the ratings.

Scofflaw

Medina wrote:

Religion is not a sitcom.
You don't have to make cheap gags to pull in the ratings.

No - religion is far more important than a sitcom, and if cheap gags is what it takes to reach some people, then that's what should be done. To not do so because one personally considers them in poor taste is to deny other people their chance of salvation based purely on one's own feelings - do you think that's right?

cordially,
Scofflaw

UU

Medina wrote:

Religion is not a sitcom.
You don't have to make cheap gags to pull in the ratings.

Although, I must say, Father Ted was the best religious sitcom I saw in a long time and that certainly pulled in the ratings. Lol!

Medina

Scofflaw wrote:

No - religion is far more important than a sitcom, and if cheap gags is what it takes to reach some people, then that's what should be done. To not do so because one personally considers them in poor taste is to deny other people their chance of salvation based purely on one's own feelings - do you think that's right?

cordially,
Scofflaw

When Jesus was preaching the Gospel and He was rejected by people, did He turn on the charm and the comedy?

Eh no...

Is that what you're recommending He should have done? Geez thats so clever Scofflaw, I'm sure you could have mended His ways :mad:

People in their respective religions find a sense of fulfillment, a sense of harmony and sometimes love.

That's better than a laugh any day.

Scofflaw

Medina wrote:

When Jesus was preaching the Gospel and He was rejected by people, did He turn on the charm and the comedy?

Eh no...

Is that what you're recommending He should have done? Geez thats so clever Scofflaw, I'm sure you could have mended His ways :mad:

People in their respective religions find a sense of fulfillment, a sense of harmony and sometimes love.

That's better than a laugh any day.

I'm not suggesting that Jesus would have had to use such humour - aside from anything else, He was the message, rather than a mere human passing the message on. There's not that much point in basing your preaching style on Jesus', because you aren't Jesus. What He did not have to "stoop to" others may have to.

People may well find a sense of fulfillment, harmony, and love in religion - but not if they're put off the message by the messenger.

regards,
Scofflaw

Medina

Scofflaw wrote:

I'm not suggesting that Jesus would have had to use such humour - aside from anything else, He was the message, rather than a mere human passing the message on. There's not that much point in basing your preaching style on Jesus', because you aren't Jesus. What He did not have to "stoop to" others may have to.

People may well find a sense of fulfillment, harmony, and love in religion - but not if they're put off the message by the messenger.

regards,
Scofflaw

Messengers should follow the example of the source of their message.
So in Christianity it would be Jesus. I think Jesus' lived by principles of love for fellow man, and respect for all. He was an exemplary example of kindness and tolerance.

If you don't think so I'd recommend you go to your parish priest and tell him he's doing it all wrong and a night at the international comedy club would be more productive.

Then let's see what happens to the poor guy

Scofflaw

Medina wrote:

Messengers should follow the example of the source of their message.
So in Christianity it would be Jesus. I think Jesus' lived by principles of love for fellow man, and respect for all. He was an exemplary example of kindness and tolerance.

If you don't think so I'd recommend you go to your parish priest and tell him he's doing it all wrong and a night at the international comedy club would be more productive.

Then let's see what happens to the poor guy

Well, you're annoyed at the moment, but I would still expect you to recognise a difference between making a couple of jokes (which any PP worth his salt is already doing) and "a night at the international comedy club". If you can't see that, I take it you're so annoyed that there's no point in actually discussing the question.

In the long run, I fear the laugh will be on you, although I appreciate your sincerity. Still, no matter, but I hope you're not putting anyone else off salvation through your outraged condemnation of Brians' rather harmless jokes.

cordially,
Scofflaw

Medina

Scofflaw wrote:

Well, you're annoyed at the moment, but I would still expect you to recognise a difference between making a couple of jokes (which any PP worth his salt is already doing) and "a night at the international comedy club". If you can't see that, I take it you're so annoyed that there's no point in actually discussing the question.

In the long run, I fear the laugh will be on you, although I appreciate your sincerity. Still, no matter, but I hope you're not putting anyone else off salvation through your outraged condemnation of Brians' rather harmless jokes.

cordially,
Scofflaw

I'm actually not annoyed Scofflaw but you're posts have been pretty ridiculous up to this point.
Anyone can make a joke, its who and what their laughing at that matters. I've never heard a priest ridiculing the Lord.

I can't put anyone off salvation, Jesus provides it and denies it, it don't come from me.
If you mean put them off the message, then I would say this: they never really had it to begin with.

Peoples relationship with Jesus is between themselves and Him. A 23 year old Irish girl isn't really going to have much of an effect on someone who loves their Lord.

T-1111111111111

Looking at all this mess now - it gives me a feeling of disgust. People laugh, let them laugh - they aint gona laugh forever. People dont care, let them dont care - they aint gona live forever. People insult, let them insult - they aint gona insult forever. To some, its all about laugh. There are people who want to have a good laugh, but they know what is it that they can laugh about. There's something nobody should laugh about.

Personally, to me and approx 1.5 billion people, Jesus was God's Prophet and His Messenger, pbuh, but I dont think ONE OF 1.5 BILLION PEOPLE WOULD MAKE A JOKE ABOUT HIM, we rather say: May God's Peace and Mercy be upon Him, every time we mention his name.

Now, u can compare that to what u can read from some posters here. Democracy? Is it? Freedom of speech? What if somebody said, listen, ur mum slept with a donkey, and u are the outcome?
(Just to make it clear: Im not referring to anybody here, I just wana make a point)

So those who make these jokes, I ask them now - would u feel even a bit offended, if somebody used "the mum-donkey question" for instance on you? Would you? If u dont know, maybe u shud ask your mum what is her opinion?

And BTW, the donkey question is far smaller that the "joke" that Brian originally posted.

Now, u can be offended as much as u want, u can ban me, but it seems that there's nothing that one will say that will make u think about what u said.

Im sticking with the fact that 1.5 BILLION people would never even think to say such a nasty "joke" about any of God's prophets.

And to all those who joke about this matter - how good Christians u really are? Now Im not ur judge, but if I was of the same belief, I would wana see u again in my life until u repented.

Goodnite.

Puck

I think where the sides differ here is that one side thinks that Jesus is the butt of the joke and another doesn't think so. I mean I don't think anyone here is trying to say that it's good to make fun of Jesus.

Personally I think the joke is about our perceptions of Jesus and how anyone anywhere can relate to Him. I don't think Jesus was all serious all the time (neither was He a comic). I mean, He didn't sit down and write a book of rules and philosophies. He went out and spent time with people. He went to meals and parties and hung out at people's houses. There's much evidence I think that Jesus was a people person and got on well with folk. I don't think that's possible without a sense of humour.

Scofflaw

Medina wrote:

I'm actually not annoyed Scofflaw but you're posts have been pretty ridiculous up to this point.
Anyone can make a joke, its who and what their laughing at that matters. I've never heard a priest ridiculing the Lord.

I can't put anyone off salvation, Jesus provides it and denies it, it don't come from me.
If you mean put them off the message, then I would say this: they never really had it to begin with.

Peoples relationship with Jesus is between themselves and Him. A 23 year old Irish girl isn't really going to have much of an effect on someone who loves their Lord.

And neither will a joke. I have specifically heard the "Jesus was an Irishman" joke from at least two priests - in public (at a wedding mass, and at a christening). I have also heard other "Jesus" jokes from other priests and ministers at various times, although they're all pretty much as un-racy as Brians'. None made Christ the butt of the joke - and neither does Brians' - the joke there is on the Irish (or whatever).

As to "if you mean put them off the message, then I would say this: they never really had it to begin with" - well, who are you to judge?

cordially,
Scofflaw

Medina

Puck wrote:

Personally I think the joke is about our perceptions of Jesus and how anyone anywhere can relate to him. I don't think Jesus was all serious all the time (neither was He a comic). I mean, He didn't sit down and write a book of rules and philosophies. He went out and spent time with people. He went to meals and parties and hung out at people's houses. There's much evidence I think that Jesus was a people person and got on well with folk. I don't think that's possible without a sense of humour.

I agree that a sense of humour is important, but I don't recall Jesus making fun of God or Himself just to get on the good side of people.

The joke gave out negative signals to non-Christians, many of whom post on this forum, and implies that we can 'take the piss out of religion'.. Just look at the people who posted on my Feedback forum, many thought it was openday for nasty jokes and pictures about Jesus. It's dangerous to cross the line with regard to what constitutes 'tasteful' humour, thats why in such places as the Christian forum, its safer not to do it at all. If one rereads the posts in the Feedback forum, many agreed this forum was not the right place for the joke. I also received PM's from people supporting my point of view, but who maybe didn't want to openly say it..probably because of the personal backlash.

Brian's intentions were good, I know he just intended to unite people with laughter, but making Jesus the centre of the joke is not really a productive way of doing it and undermines the sincerity of many Christians and also of Brian himself as a Moderator in my view.

Asiaprod

Puck wrote:

There's much evidence I think that Jesus was a people person and got on well with folk. I don't think that's possible without a sense of humour.

I would say "impossible" to get on with people without a sense of humor.

Medina

Scofflaw wrote:

And neither will a joke. I have specifically heard the "Jesus was an Irishman" joke from at least two priests - in public (at a wedding mass, and at a christening). I have also heard other "Jesus" jokes from other priests and ministers at various times, although they're all pretty much as un-racy as Brians'. None made Christ the butt of the joke - and neither does Brians' - the joke there is on the Irish (or whatever).

As to "if you mean put them off the message, then I would say this: they never really had it to begin with" - well, who are you to judge?

cordially,
Scofflaw

You're not getting it. I never said the joke would put them off God or salvation, I said I think it is disrespectful to Jesus and also that it makes people think we Christians think its ok to take the piss out of our religion so everyone else can too. Don't you think if Brian now tried to ban someone for a nasty Jesus joke that he would look like a hypocrite?

Jesus is the source of the joke. Comparing him to nationalities of people may be funny, but at the end of it, we're still thinking of Jesus as normal as the rest of us. Well he wasn't the same as the rest of us, he was sinless and the Son of God and a teacher to all.

Matthew 27 (New International Version)
27Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. 30They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

I doubt He found this very funny

p.s. I'm nobody's judge. I said me finding this offensive is doubtful to put anyone off the message of Christ, and if I did, they couldn't really have had a deep faith now to be put off Christ by me.

Puck

Medina wrote:

I agree that a sense of humour is important, but I don't recall Jesus making fun of God or Himself just to get on the good side of people.

The joke gave out negative signals to non-Christians, many of whom post on this forum, and implies that we can 'take the piss out of religion'.. Just look at the people who posted on my Feedback forum, many thought it was openday for nasty jokes and pictures about Jesus. It's dangerous to cross the line with regard to what constitutes 'tasteful' humour, thats why in such places as the Christian forum, its safer not to do it at all. If one rereads the posts in the Feedback forum, many agreed this forum was not the right place for the joke. I also received PM's from people supporting my point of view, but who maybe didn't want to openly say it..probably because of the personal backlash.

Brian's intentions were good, I know he just intended to unite people with laughter, but making Jesus the centre of the joke is not really a productive way of doing it and undermines the sincerity of many Christians and also of Brian himself as a Moderator in my view.

Well this is where I'll respectfully have to disagree with you; I do not think that Jesus was the butt of the joke. I'm fine with your views and I think I can see how you came to them. I think it's a shame that some people felt they couldn't post their own views on here.

By the way I think that sometimes it is healthy to make fun (in a friendly way if you know what I mean) of organised religion - that is to say the rules and traditions (not who or what the people believe in) that can often alienate people from the church. I feel that often it is the case that religion can be one of the great obstacles that get in the way of people making a genuine connection with God and having a close relationship with him. I know that before I was a Christian I looked at the church and saw only rules and regulations and strange customs that meant nothing to me, never once had I had the Grace of God explained to me.

Of course we must know where the lines are in order not to cross them, so it is a tricky area to venture into and often humour is not the best way to handle it.

I guess humour can be dangerous in certain subjects. When a joke is told some people see it as pointing and laughing, others simply see it as laughing.