The weekend What If?

One of my favorite stories is that a man one day asked the late evangelist Rufus Moseley: "Brother Rufus, do you really think that Jesus laughed much?" Rufus smiled and replied, "Well, I don't know that Jesus did. But I know that He made it possible for me to."

I know I didn't answer your question. But I'm going to have to think on it awhile and get back to you.

Blessings, Billy.

Crimes against children.. that's what.

This is a tough one (they all have been). I believe laughter is extremely important, especially in extreme circumstances…but like Valerie said, there are certain things that may be too horrific.

God gave us so much pleasure in laughter,He must want us to do it often!

You know, I suppose that depends on your own personal experience. There are certain things that are completely off limits for me. Crimes against chidren, as Valerie mentioned, rape, the Holocaust, 9/11 or any mass murder. Just not funny to me.

There are some that would be appauled that anyone would make fun of a serious diesease, but I have seen comedians who suffer from cerebral palsey who joke about their own condition.

I think any joke that is cruel or mean spirited, told in effect to laugh AT someone instead of WITH them, is off limits. For me, anyway.

My initial thought was that except for someone going to hell, anything can be laughed at in time. My sister Mary's sitting right here and immediately said, "Lots of things are too serious to laugh at! You can't laugh at a child abduction."

So I agree that you can't laugh at evil, even if you can laugh at death.

This is from a website called "All Things William," on Laughter:

"Please, Lord, teach us to laugh again; but, God, don't ever let us forget that we cried." ~ Bill Wilson

I get very uncomfortable when I hear Christians joke about or mock the way that other Christians practice their faith.

Abuse of any kind, is no laughing matter.

Laughter is truly the best medicine. Many times when I feel my spirit down, I get out my DVD of Looney Toon cartoons. You know the ones, Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, Wily Coyote, Elmer Fudd. The release of all out uncontrollable laughter is something that is very soothing to a tired soul. I think Jesus laughed and still does to this day.

I love the quote that Anne L shared, ""Please, Lord, teach us to laugh again; but, God, don't ever let us forget that we cried." ~ Bill Wilson. So very true. Sometimes we forget to enjoy the life we have been given.

I would also agree with Jim when someone mocks someone's faith. All of us have our own beliefs that we hold close to our hearts. Someones may be different from our own, but they are no less significant to that person.

Many thanks all for sharing.

There is simply nothing funny about intentionally hurting others – children or adults. To prey on weakness is the unfunniest of all in my book. Yes, I had to make up a word to describe that!

There are things that are just hands off and we know those lines that should never be crossed.But the ability to laugh at yourself in moments of your own stupidity, priceless.

I agree with Katdish – the spirit of the laughter is important. I think a sense of humor is unique to each person, though, and is shaped by our experiences and perspectives on life. Comedy is difficult (i.e. in a book or movie) b/c as many people as you have, that's how many perspectives and how many potential reactions you'll have. Some people laugh at slap stick, some at irony, some at pun, some at sarcasm. So on one hand, social mores govern subjects that just are not supposed to be funny. On the other hand, all funny bones are not tickled by the same things. The Bible does say that laughter is like medicine, so even in life-altering and deathly stressful situations, laughter may have a proper place.

I grew up among folks who thought that laughter was not seeming for Christians. They would however, tell dirty jokes, use bathroom humor extensively,and poke fun at people's looks. Sailors would blush!

I love folks who make me laugh with clean, delightful, quick and sharp wit. Sometimes you just have to be there; it isn't funny in the re-telling! Laughing at myself and my foibles is good therapy. Laughing at others depends on the person and the circumstance. I would agree with the others about what is definitely off-limits for me as well! Some folks just need to lighten up!

I am with Valerie on this one. Crimes against the totally innocent. The more I think about it though, there are no victimless crimes.

I agree with Anne LB. One can't laugh at evil…Holocaust, Racism, rape, child exploitation, abortion..

But from a distance, I think we can laugh at our own personal tragedies, because when we are removed from it, we can see more clearly how God was helping us through and can laugh at ourselves for not seeing it at the time.

I would say that anything that is too serious for your "audience," be that a friend, coworker, family, whomever, is too serious to laugh about. If it will hurt someone around you, why is it truly funny?

Laughter is a wonderful thing, but it makes a searing weapon. It should always be wielded with care and gentleness.

Joking about anything that hurts someone else or makes them sad should not be done. That covers all the serious stuff already mentioned.

As for the rest of life … I think I'm with Woody Allen – laughter is usually good.

"I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose." ~Woody Allen

I agree with what every one said, so I won't add another example. I will say that I read an article a long long time ago that a lady recounted her experience having surgery to remove one of her legs. As she woke up and her family surrounded her. They looked on grieving for her, her loss. As she gained her clear thoughts, she said she began to cry as if in total grief. Then as her family watched on she said, "I lose a whole leg and I still haven't lost any weight!" She felt that she still had her life and was surrounded by all the people that loved her, what was one leg in comparison. I have prayed every since reading this, that I would have that kind of out look on my life.

I am like you……I love to laugh.

In some situations, I just have to laugh or I will go nuts.

I don't find anything funny about crimes against the innocent, oppression, slavery, abortion, rape, etc…which I guess I summed up with "crimes against the innocent".

Good questions. One person's joke is another person's offense.

Crimes against chidren, abductions, rape, the Holocaust, 9/11, mass murders, and mental illness–they don't try to do strange things. Their minds think differently.

Injustice, evil, hurting other people — I don't find anything funny about things like that.

But I think God loves to laugh because He created us with a sense of humor. Even tiny babies find things to laugh about. (Personally, I think there is nothing more wonderful in all the world than the sound of a baby's laughter.)

Katie's comment reminds me of my own mom. Amputation of one leg for circulatory problems took place 4 yrs. ago – at age 86. It was a rough ride, but the Lord was gracious. I had signed mom up for the podiatrist for her remaining foot. When the foot clinic announced a price increase mom complained to me. We went to talk to the nurse in charge. I suggested that she discuss with the clinic that because mom has only one foot she should only be charged half-price by the doctor! Not only did the nurse wholeheartedly agree with my logic, but my mother nearly died laughing! She has always loved a bargain!