Satire and Sarcasm

Chasing Hats ^ | July 18, 2002 | Joshua Clark

[delacoert]

Continuing a thread of thought from The Fine Art of Godly Mockery. Lately, it appears that the meme *mockery is un-Christian* has gained some traction.

[circlecity]

How could someone read Paul’s rant against the super-apostles in 2 Cor. and doubt the Biblical use of scarcasm. Or how about Elijah ragging on the Priests of Baal when they tried bring the fire down from Heaven. (”Dance faster. Maybe your god’s busy going to the bathroom and can’t hear you.”)

[delacoert]

Or how about Elijah ragging on the Priests of Baal when they tried bring the fire down from Heaven. (”Dance faster. Maybe your god’s busy going to the bathroom and can’t hear you.”)

Exactly. I was just recently reading this passage in 1 Kings 18:27 and having a good laugh.

[Lee N. Field]

There's satire in the bible itself.

"Where's Baal, huh? Maybe he's travelling. Maybe you need to wake him up! Yell louder, I can't heaaaaar you! Maybe he's taking a craaaaaaaap!"

[delacoert]

Seems there’s a few of us that can appreciate sarcasm.

[Rocky]

And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?
1 Sam 15:13-14 (KJV)

And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king. And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD? And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.
1 Kings 22:15-17 (KJV)

[boatbums]

So let us use satire with wisdom, and pray for such unity in the faith that satire will become entirely unnecessary.

Good post. I especially like the last sentance.

[Tax-chick]

Although I agree that satire or mockery is not inappropriate or wrong, as a generality, I also think that, in today’s climate, it’s more likely to miss the target than not. I think one is more likely to communicate a point by stating it clearly, in the most concrete possible terms, without flourishes, figures of speech, or hedges.

We’ve reached the point where reality is far more absurd than anything we can imagine as satire - that’s why satire or humor articles have to be flagged in big red letters, or people think it’s fact.

[Between the Lines]

there definitely are perversions of satire that are intended only to stir up strife and dispute,

And it is this type of satire and sarcasm we see most often in this forum.

Satire and sarcasm are strong debating tools when used properly and sparingly, but when used often and loosely satire and sarcasm only make the one using them look to be a pious bully who wishes to ridicule and not to inform.

[trisham]

Often Christians get so caught up in restraining themselves from hating their enemies that they end up thinking it is entirely unrighteous to show disdain for them or to mock them.

****************************

I don't think we have to worry about that here.

[will of the people]

I’m assuming I’m still okay to market

“The Purpose Driven Nap”
Forty Winks of Purpose

by

Rip Van Warren

[delacoert]

So we see then that sarcasm can be used righteously, but we must define the goal of sarcasm if we are to avoid the more invidious uses that hinder Christian truth. The goal of satire, as with all forms of rebuke, should be to save a person from error.

The meme creeping into recent Religion Forum threads is that sarcasm and mockery is too mean and devoid of Christian niceness.

I say, "Hogwash!"

[Vendome]

Christian niceness?

I don’t think it was very nice of Christ to tear some place apart, though he was kind enough to rebuild it in three days. /s

[brytlea]

Yeah, but I do need to watch my tongue. It can be a little too sharp. :(

[ejonesie22]

It is an after effect of several years of Oprah Christianity...

[restornu]

Seems there’s a few of us that can appreciate sarcasm.

****

I think that is why the Lord said

John 14;2

In my Father’s house are many mansions:
if it were not so,
I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you!:)

[delacoert]

Christian niceness?

Yeah, sorry about that. Perhaps it was bit too sarcastic for the delicate sensitivity of some Religion Forum participants. ;)

[Reaganesque]

Mockery is fine. I love that passage in 1 Kings. However, when its all you have to offer and you offer it all the time, that’s when it crosses the line.

[SZonian]

No, "we" don't. Do "we"?

[the long march]

Oh I agree. If sarcasm is not acceptable as a form of rebuke then I we need to dispense with writers such as C. S. Lewis