I believe that laughter is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22). I have a great sense of humor and tend to steer away from sad-faced religion. But some people are taking humor way too far.
There are zillions of things to find funny in God's universe, and, to me, when comedians "go below the belt" to get laughs, that's a sign not only of irreverence, but an admission that they are poor at the art of getting laughs out of inoffensive everyday things .
I am reminded of how Adam and Eve were free to choose from any tree of the Garden except the special one belonging to God alone. But they just had to trespass onto forbidden territory. That's what today's comedians do.
Worse than using provocative innuendoes to create humor is to poke fun at the One Who ought to be held in highest reverence: our Creator and Savior. But a number of movies and TV shows have done just that. People got executed in the Old Testament for less serious sins than the blasphemy taking place today on film. One man got executed for breaking the Sabbath (Lev.24:10-16).
King Herod committed sins that at first glance, seemed to merit far worse punishment than what he got for the last sin he ever committed. This wicked man imprisoned Peter. He even had the apostle James killed with the sword. But no divine vengeance fell upon Herod until he accepted the honor and glory due to God alone. Herod's fatal sin was at least partially a passive one. He did not argue with a crowd of adoring fans when they called him a god (Acts 12:21-23). An angel smote Herod and fed him to the worms. Could it be that claiming to be God and accepting worship of men is a sin worse than murder in the eyes of the Lord?
Time and again a cartoon depiction of a benign white-garbed, bearded being in the sky cracks jokes with Homer Simpson. Last night he reached down to swipe the cookies off Homer's plate.
"Bruce Almighty" and "Oh, God!" are other examples of resorting to blasphemy to get cheap laughs out of sin-jaded people. I think the worst of the lot has to be "The Life of Brian". This movie ends with three figures hung on crosses whistling and singing:"Always look on the bright side of life".
I marvel at the patience and forbearance of God, but it will not last forever. Just days after one radio presenter made light of the notion of the afterlife and the idea of a supreme being, he was killed in a car wreck.
God wants us to enjoy life and enjoy the humor all around us in His creation. There's plenty to amuse us down here on earth. A toddler's messy efforts to "help mommy" in the kitchen. The antics of a tiny kitten or a silly monkey. The irony of how an aggravating situation ends up in a smile of joy and gladness when something better comes along to replace what got botched up. But as we skate freely on the frozen pond of life, we must remember that the ice is very thin in places. When people ignore God's warning sign against irreverence toward Him, then the ice breaks and people fall into great spiritual peril.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW
Read more articles by Patricia Backora or search for articles on the same topic or others.
