Some People Just Don't Get It

I used to do stand-up comedy and magic for a living. I'd be the MC, get up, do my schtick, and introduce the speakers. Or maybe just do some dopey card tricks and send them home happy. I made jokes about the stupid questions men ask. (True story: I was at the drugstore recently, and handed my prescription across the counter to the guy in the white jacket. He looked at it for a moment, then smiled and asked, "Is this a prescription?" Um....... "Nope," I said. "It's a hold-up note. I wrote it in Latin.") One of the bits of business I used to talk about was car salesmen -- their fake smiles, their overly friendly manner, the way they talk about features we don't understand ("This baby has blowback buckled chrome muffler bearings!"). Poking fun at stuff, all done with a bit of attitude. It's what I do. 

But I could count on something -- once a month or so, there would be a car salesman in the room, and he'd feel a need to get up and defend the honor of car salesmen everywhere: "You know, a car salesman is just trying to sell you the best car he can at the highest price you'll pay," he'd explain, as though we all needed to take Car Salesman Explanation 101. Everyone in the audience would sit, blink, maybe nod once, then hope someone else was going to go back to the humor, because jokes about car salesmen don't require an explanation. They're JOKES, for crying out loud. Not mean spirited, just funny. They had attitude. They included exaggeration. They offered over-the-top examples. That's what actually made it humor. But... some people just don't get it. They're humor-impaired. Unable to figure out that a person being funny isn't trying to personally offend them. They're just telling jokes. 

I share this with you because I recently posted this on my Facebook page: "Warning to Stupid People: I don't need your bears. I don't need your hearts. I don't need your rainbows. I especially don't need them if I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE. So pack up your rainbow-hearted-pillow-bears and hit the road." If you're on Facebook, you already know what I'm talking about -- people will come on and say they're sending you a heart to show they love you, or hand you an angel to show they're spiritual, or hit you with a cyber-pillow to show the have the brains of a Cocker Spaniel. (See? That was HUMOR!) Anyway, most people got the joke. They've read my blog, know that I use attitude and sardonic humor, and understand that I'm being funny. I don't honestly think most people are stupid. I wouldn't really tell someone to hit the road. 

But...some people just don't get it. Any time I do something like this, I get notes from church ladies, who feel a need to scold me. "NICE people don't call others stupid, Chip." "There's no reason to call others names." "If you were really a Christian, you wouldn't say such mean things." One person (someone I've NEVER MET, and who clearly doesn't know me) came on to say that she was shocked that I would engage in "name-calling." 

My mature, Christian response: Give me a flippin' break. This is HUMOR, people. It's characterized by things like exaggeration, attitude, and offbeat observations. With humor, you mimic people. You set up silly comparisons. You talk about things you hate, or things you love, or things that frighten you. You explore the dopey things that happen in this world -- the negative personality traits, the over-the-top behaviors, the crazy worries you have (and my thanks to Judy Carter for her wonderful exploration of humor in STAND-UP COMEDY: THE BOOK). Much of comedy writing is a set-up and a punchline; the rest is basically descriptive observations that have their core meaning set in truth. The comic writer goes a bit beyond, or has a skewed view of it, but that's what makes it funny. And, frankly, it's funniest when the person doing it is completely sincere (or at least seems that way). Give a look to the blog of Jenny B Jones sometime, and see how she plays on her fears, her behaviors, and the things she loves that don't make any sense. And Jenny, like me, enjoys poking fun at herself as much as others. There is nothing mean-spirited or unChristian about it. 

When did Christians decide to stop laughing? When did we decide we can't have people who are curmudgeons? (Cec Murphey, you're in trouble!) When did we determine we don't want people poking fun at the dopey behaviors we all fall into? (Julie Barnhill and Charles Marshall -- report to the principle's office.) Why is it that using sardonic humor is suddenly unacceptable? (If that's what you think, you might want to read your prophets and the Apostle Paul a bit more carefully.) Maybe this is why there isn't a big "humor" section in religious bookstores.

Sorry, but I have a personality, and it shows in my writing. Jim Rubart, who is a marketing guru for all those novelists trying to figure out how to promote their books in a crowded marketplace, likes to tell people I'm "the bad boy of Christian publishing." Maybe -- but that's not what I intend. I'm just trying to share information, and I don't feel like doing it apart from my personality. If I see something that looks stupid, I have a tendency to say, "That's stupid." Not, "I've prayed about this deeply, and while we are all different, the Spirit says to me that you and I are not in complete harmony." Sure, I've made mistakes with that at times. I've sometimes said things I regret, or poked fun at someone who was easily offended. But anyone who has spent any time with me at all knows I don't have a mean bone in my body. I recently disagreed with Ted Dekker on something, wrote about it, and he called me and we talked. No hard feelings -- I respect the heck out of Ted, I just disagreed with something he said. And I fear Christians have entered a stage where disagreeing is bad, disagreeing publicly is very bad, and disagreeing with humor and attitude means you're no longer part of the camp. 

That's not good enough for me. Look, I'm not out to ruin your day. I'm out to share good information and, frankly, to have some fun. If my words make you unhappy, I'm sorry. You may want to read someone else -- someone nicer than me. (Rachelle Gardner is nicer than me. Try her blog.) But don't give up on humor just yet, okay? This world is screwed up, and if you can't laugh about it, you're going to find this one long, sorrow road. 

Comments

[Jenny B. Jones]

I'm really not afraid of anything. I just pretend like I am for blog content. . .

[Kirk Kraft]

Hi Chip,
I briefly responded via Twitter but I expand a bit here. First off, bravo for calling it as you see it. I agree with you 100%. So much in life has become off-limits political correctness that even friends can't joke sometimes without one of them taking it too serious. I know from personal experience, as I get older, too many folks are worried about "getting along" instead of savoring a good moment of laughter. I have enough stress in my life (particularly in the last year plus due to my youngest's liver transplant) that I really don't have time for stupid people. Life is too short for this sort of stuff. After all, laughter is the best medicine and I need as much as I can get. Thanks for your thoughts.

[T. Anne]

I'm a Christian. I love to laugh and sometimes I make others laugh (unintentionally of course). And I'm sure you're just as nice as Rachelle.

[Nicole O'Dell]

Life is too short to waste time with cyber teddy bears, heart pillows and blingee stuff (unless the bling comes from my husband and sparkles on my finger). I just delete those FB posts on my wall because they're almost always sent to everyone on the planet.

Anyway, great post.

[Theresa Lode]

LOVED this Chip. It was your quip on Michael Hyatt's page that led me on journey to your blog; I knew there was a kindred spirit out there in this PC world that doesn't know how to laugh.

When I was writing for the local paper several years ago, (many times edgy editorials,) it was a humor column that drew the nastiest rebuke. (I had suggesting a shooting or non shooting section for the local tour train to handle the in town deer population.) Touchy, touchy!

Keep the quips and comments coming....life's too short to take so seriously. I wish you were going to be on the agenda for the Erma Bombeck conference; I'd love to hear some of your shticks.

[Chip MacGregor]

No. Rachelle is WAY nicer than me. Trust me.

[Tracey solomon]

Christians seem to be paranoid about humor.

So afraid to offend, that we forget to laugh.

I write (and speak on) finding humor in mothering. I get in trouble for: potty language (in it's purest potty training form) and referring to my "mommy-bits."

It's all stuff we giggle over when women are together-- but if you WRITE about it.. in public? Well... you get in trouble.

Maybe we'd be better at connecting with those outside the church if we got over our selves and let the world know we DO laugh.

PS Sarcasm is not a sin. That would be my favorite Christian T shirt EVAH.

and Facebook crap is lame.

[Ron Estrada]

I thought about having the word "Smarta--" tattooed across my forehead as a warning to anyone I was about to offend. It's been a lifelong affliction, one that has gotten me into much trouble, but has also been one point in my writing I don't have to struggle with. Take it with a grain, my friend. You just can't write anything and hope to offend no one.

[Michelle Shocklee]

Chip, I for one think you're really funny! While I've only heard you in person at ACFW conferences, you're always good for quite a few laughs! Yes, too many people these days just don't get it and take offense way too easily. I think that's one of the reasons unsaved people are under the impression you've got to check your humor at the door when you accept Christ. The world needs funny Christians! Be who you are!

[Evangeline Denmark]

This is exactly what my Monday needed. Thanks! Great post! And I agree with you that Jenny B. Jones rocks.

[Cheryl Russell]

Well-said. :-)

[Levi Montgomery]

My personal theory (unproven, of course, but I don't much care) is that all humor is, at its heart, mockery. Not all mockery is humor, of course (even when people laugh at it), but all humor is mockery. My mother always told us "If you can't think of anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all," and I said, "Yeah, that's gonna be a quiet life!"

[Cara Putman]

Humor does seem to be a lost gift. And I do think it is a gift -- to be able to laugh at oneself and not take things too seriously. To poke fun at the absurd things we see. If only we could all do it like Jenny :-)

And in writing, I firmly believe the use of humor allows a writer to take readers to dark places they might not otherwise willingly go...All because the reader knows they will have the chance to laugh again -- even if it's at something that scares them spitless.

[Dayle]

Well, you certainly make me laugh, Chip, out loud. I totally get your sense of humor. And I'm with you on the Facebook pillows and flowers and bears. I finally changed my account settings to where nobody can post anything to my wall. No matter how many times you say you don't want their stuff, friends, and those you hardly know, continue to send it.

[Marla Taviano]

Rachelle is snarkier (read: more fun) in person/on the phone than on her blog.

I've been trying to be more careful of my speech lately, but my hubby still lovingly calls me Sarcasmo.

[Susan Maas]

It seems like politics and religion have both lost their senses of humor in recent years. I am happy that I belong to a church where we often laugh out loud during the service--and even the sermon. Of course, half the time our poor loving pastor's humor is unintended. But that just makes it all the funnier. And fortunately, he always takes it in stride. I mean really, if we are all filled with joy, shouldn't we be laughing?

[AimeeLS]

What?! Christian's not funny? Not humorous? Not sarcastic?!!??!?!

To that I say, PSHAW!* (Yes I do).

In fact, my PSHAW's rain down like God's proverbial Lightening Wrath:

PSHAW to political correctness - Christ was a radical!

PSHAW to not speaking the truth in love via humor (the funniest jokes I've ever heard are the ones God cracks on my husband).

PSHAW to fluffy-pillow-rainbow-teddies. Try giving someone a hug IRL!

And PSHAW to people who get so hung up on what we SHOULDN'T do, they forget the freedom we have in Christ to live life as it was created to be.

*My only disclaimer: Matthew 5:22b "...If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court."

I do think it is possible to cross a line. In fact, I have a habit of doing it regularly...

[Joanne Mueller]

My favorite verse is 1 Kings 18:27 where Elijah is on Mt. Carmel with the prophets of Baal. When they prayed to Baal to burn up their sacrifice, Elijah said, "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." Yeah, God has a sense of humor too.

Joanne

[Rachel Hauck]

What?! I love humor. I'm the funniest person I know!

[Angela Meuser]

I saw your post on fb and wished I was that funny. Had no idea you got belittled for it. So there are worse things than rainbow pillow bears...

[Shauna]

I agree and think your Facebook comment is way funny. I'm tempted to friend you on FB just so I can send you a rainbow-hearted pillow bear. I'm rather sarcastic by nature and make a lot of zingers in good fun. However, I do think there's a line where snarky and funny becomes mean and cutting, and I try to avoid crossing it. I would suppose that where people draw that line can vary widely, and what's mean to me might not be mean to you. Though I do know Christians who seem too uptight about humor, I probably seem uptight to others from their perspective. There's a popular Christian author/blogger who a lot of people think is hilarious, but I just don't get it. The few times I've read his stuff, my impression is that it's more caustic and mean than witty—perhaps because it's always (at least what I've read, which granted, isn't much because I honestly don't think he's funny) directed toward others and not at himself. Interesting discussion.

[Cheryl Barker]

I saw that particular post on fb, too, and loved it, Chip. I'm another one who's tired of all those bears, hearts, rainbows, etc. :)

[Kyle Watson]

I'm so glad you wrote about this topic. I've been wanting to write that piece for a while. I could never write it as well as you did. Before I self published a little humor book. I battled back and forth in my mind if the content would be taken in the wrong way. I ended up using a disclaimer that stated something like I'm serious about my faith and this doesn't poke fun of being a Christian but lifts it up. I was more worried about how the content came across rather than is it funny.

I recently learned from someone on a Christian writers site that I need to always use LOL when being funny. All this time I thought it was obvious. I think people take themselves too serious. They are only happy when miserable.

Heck, I poke fun at my own writing skills.

[Jim Rubart]

Uh, Chip, I think you came across a little bit angry in this post. Almost downright fer shure mean. (For you stupid people out I'm ki... uh, I mean for you people who have a underdeveloped humor gene ... whoops, I did it again. Oh fer crying in my milk, now I'm sounding like Brittany Spears and I shouldn't mention her name on Christian's blog, should I? ... I think I'm just going to shut up.)

[Chip MacGregor]

Sure, you can cross a line by making personal statements about someone. Everybody knows a comic can be offensive. But I just think too many Christians have become WAY too frugal with their line of offense.

As my sainted mother used to say (quoting Christian writer Dorothy Parker), "If you can't think of anything nice to say... come sit next to me!"

[mary]

There will always be someone who gets offended. Always. Some Christians are just too legalistic and uptight. Be who He made you to be. Thanks for this post. You took the words right out of my head.

[mike duran]

In the 4th century, church leader John Chrysostom declared that Jesus never laughed. And in the 1400s, the Council of Constance decreed that any minister or monk who spoke "jocular words such as to provoke laughter" would be damned to hell. Chip, I fear that many of these "church ladies" are actually perpetuating a medieval fallacy. I also fear that many of them comprise the CBA market.

[Chip MacGregor]

I'd be in favor of anyone caught using "LOL" more than once per day be arrested. If that would help.

[Bianca]

I actually think it is stupid to send someone a valentine's greeting on facebook when you don't know them (and not because I'm joking). Especially a married man (like my husband). As I recall Valentine's is for couples!

My husband is the same as you with his joking, he'll make jokes that humorly-challenged people get offended by. Even when he uses fake accents to be funny (Japanese, Punjabi, Jamaican, etc) someone always takes it upon themselves to think this is offensive in some way rather than quite funny. By the way, those who are from a different country think its very funny when he tries out their accent.

My 4 yr old appreciates his humor. Although I must admit it was embarrassing when she started laughing at a Chinese man at the swimming pool when he was talking to his kids. She thought he was trying to be funny :P

[patriciazell]

Your post is timely for me. Recently, I was going around calling people stupid to my husband and to myself. God called me on it--just because a person doesn't see things the way I see things does not mean he or she is stupid.

Lest you think I'm one of those people who just doesn't get it, I'm not. I use humor all the time. For example, as a high school teacher, I hear all kinds of bad language. Rather than yell at my students, I make jokes about my poor, innocent ears. My students laugh, but they get the point.

I am not at all against humor, but I believe, as Christians, we need to speak words that build people up in God's absolute love. Anybody can say cutting things, but we have the power to speak edifying words. What a privilege!

Finally, I also do not like all the "gifts" that swarm on my Facebook account. I have so much clutter in my life that I don't need anything else. If I was disciplined enough to write a message, I might write something like this:

To all who are thinking of me and sending me gifts--thank you! But, I have a favor to ask of you. Between teaching and writing, I am so busy that I don't have time to really appreciate your thoughtfulness. So, rather than send me gifts, could you say a little prayer for me--I need some understanding from God. Your prayers will really bless me. Oh, and by the way, I'm praying for you, too! :-)

Same effect, but everyone--including myself--feels good about my message.

[Bethany]

Hilarious. You're all the proof my dad doesn't want that I'm probably not going to grow out of this.

[DaronFraley]

Great post. Made me laugh out loud.

[thegypsymama]

Standing and applauding I am!

[Jessie]

So I take it you don't want to join my mafia. ;)

Just a friendly "lurker"! I could't resist.

[Sarah]

It's okay. My aunt defriended me for writing "holy freaking crap" in one of my facebook comments.

[Sharon A Lavy]

Some days people are more sensitive than others. Sometimes you just hit them on their off day.

When I think of Chip MacGregor I think of sensitive talks I've heard him give at the BlueRidge Conference that made me cry.

So I can always overlook when Chip seems insensitive because I think I know his heart.

[Ron Benson]

Just thanks.

[Ellen Gee]

I like to say my wicked sense of humor is the positive by-product of a seriously dysfunctional life. Without humor, I'd have been in the grave years ago. I hate it when I say something really funny and I get a blank stare back. I chalk it up to the persons seriously functional life and pray their next tragedy will teach them how to laugh.

[Tiffany Colter]

Chip,

I have a few comments about this post:

1. The drugstore joke was so funny I texted it to Chris while he was in class.

2. I responded to your request not to be sent love notes on FB by smacking you with an amish vampire in space pillow. So, that's what I think of THAT request.

3. The word Sardonic. AHHH. I once read a book where the author had to write that word on nearly every page. Whenever I see or hear that word I scream, "SARDONIC". That word is worse than a sliver of glass in your thumb.

4. I love your blog and you are right all the time. You are brilliant and I'd read every post even if you only spoke on fish tacos and gay rats.

[Ellen Gee]

I like to say my wicked sense of humor is the positive by-product of a seriously dysfunctional life. I hate it when I say something really funny, and all I get is a blank stare in return. I'm convinced those people have a seriously functional life, so I pray their next tragedy teaches them how to laugh.

[Chris Richards]

Chip, don't change or lose your sense of humor. I save your blogs and go back to read them when life it getting too serious. It always lightens the load. Besides that, I think you make God laugh.

[Bekah Ferguson]

I attended a couple of classes taught by Chip at a writer's conference in Ontario last year and found him quite funny. But before meeting him in person, I was honestly a little intimidated by some of the humor in his blogs because, quite frankly, you can't necessarily see the twinkle in someone's eyes through their typed words. hehe So, I wasn't quite sure what to make of him! :)

I think Chip just has the guts to express what most of us are *thinking* but are afraid to say out loud. haha Like Dr. Gregory House. BUT unlike House (ahem), when push comes to shove, Chip is kind-hearted. For example, when he offered me tips to improve my writing, he was professional and polite about it. In short, he told me what I needed to improve and spared my feelings at the same time. There were no cutting remarks whatsoever. :)

[Shauna]

I agree, and too many Christians don't have any tolerance for satire or sarcasm of any kind. I'm pretty sure the Bible says something about not being quick to take offense or become angry, though. I've said before that some people aren't happy unless they're enraged, appalled, and offended about something, and many of those are also Christians.

[Tina]

I love this post. Being Christian shouldn't mean never laughing and always agreeing. How boring is that?

[Sandi Greene]

Woo hoo, Chip! One of the things that drives me insane about Facebook is that people can't take a joke. Everything becomes an argument, or "let me tell you what God would say about that." I've considered closing the account just for that reason. Glad I'm not the only one who feels like defriending everyone.

[Martha Ramirez]

I LOVE this Chip! I am glad someone has a sense a humor. There are so many that don't. If we all did,it would be that much more rewarding. Laughter is like medicine--as you know.
I think maybe, and this is a maybe, that some people don't know if you're joking around?
Who knows. Just be thankful God has blessed you with a sense of humor. If we all had one it would be a much happier place.

[Rachel Rigdon]

"If you can't think of anything nice to say...come sit by me!" HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Awesome. I love this post.

[Teri Dawn Smith]

When my husband and I left for Bolivia as missionaries, we received many spiritual blessings and prayers from folks who'd never been outside of North America. One missionary from Africa said he'd be praying God would give us a sense of humor. At the time, I wondered at his "unspiritual" send-off. But we hadn't been in South America for long before I knew if I didn't laugh at some things, I'd better pack up and go home.

Sometimes I think that it's the families who laugh together that stay together.

(Wow. That was such a serious post on humor.)

[Rachelle]

My online persona IS nicer than yours, Chip, but we both know the real-life truth. :-)

I'm SO glad you wrote this post and I'm going to send a lot of people here! I agree, it's ridiculously difficult to make a joke these days without people getting all offended. I can't help it, I love to laugh, but I had to cut down on the sarcastic humor in my blog because I couldn't stand all the criticism (see, I guess I really AM too nice... or maybe just thin-skinned). Sometimes I just want to scream LIGHTEN UP EVERYONE.

Thanks for saying it, Chip.

[J. Kolson]

I loved your translation of "that's stupid."
What is your "Christian" translation of the phrase "I encourage you to..."?
How about:
"If I could twist your arm to get you to do this, I would"?
You can't spit without hitting someone saying that in the church. It strikes me as so controlling. Why can't we just say: "I loved this. It's so great."

[Selina R. Gonzalez]

Chip, you just need to hang out with me and my teenage friends... Sounds like you'd fit right in! They know how to relax, take a good-natured jab, and make a friendly smart-alec remark right back.

[Katdish]

What do you have against rainbows? Jerk...

[Jessica]

I saw your post on Facebook and thought you meant literal bears and stuff. I still laughed. I sat in one of your classes at a past conference and you were hilarious.
I think there's a balance to poking fun and hurting people, but I definitely agree that people (esp. Christians) get offended SO easily. It's crazy.
Nice post. I absolutely LOVED Jenny B Jones' book, btw (the name's escaping my brain at the moment). She is SO funny and if she writes another Contemporary I'll be reading it. Great writer!

[BabyBloomr]

I come from a very verbally adroit family who specialize in sardonic, faux-insult humor. Snark is like mother's milk to me. However, like you, I have no desire to hurt anyone's feelings-- I am a Christian female raised in the South, for crying out loud; codependence is in my DNA! I have also spent my entire adult life in and around "professional Christianity" so you can well imagine the opportunities I've had to be a wise-ass. I usually take full advantage of each and every one of them.

Recently my 17 year old daughter was publicly scolded on her own Facebook page by a total stranger (middle-aged guy who friended her because he's a fan of her dad) because as a joke, under her relationship status she said she was 'married to Karlye', her best friend who lives in another state. The guy proceeded to launch into an ALL CAPS Scripture-laced homophobic diatribe blasting her 'appearance of evil' and expressing shock at her 'worldly sense of humor.' And yeah, I wanted to hunt him down and stab him in Christian love, but my daughter had the best comeback ever-- she said, "Guess that's what they mean by a witnessing TOOL!"

That's our girl. *dabs at eyes*

(And um, Chip-- a magician? Really?

[Rosslyn Elliott]

T. Anne, before Chip clarified, i was going to say that yes, Rachelle (my agent) is probably nicer than Chip. Heh heh.

However, Chip, you really remind me of Dr. Gregory House on the TV show of the same name. And House is hilarious. That rainbow bear pillow comment was a true House-ism.

You don't have to be nice to be good, though niceness is usually an added bonus in one's personal life. I think Dr. House's character is very *good*, though he is often hard to handle and sometimes crosses the line into unkindness. That's the risk of curmudgeonly humor, but I'll take House's occasional lapse in judgment if I can have the laughter too.

[Debbie]

*blink* I don't think Christians have lost their humor. Maybe you're letting the naysayers get to you when there are plenty of positive feedback out there.

But I also agree with those who say there is a lot of humor out there that doesn't involve name-calling (including "stupid"). It's a sad thing if people really believe the _only_ funny things in life involve looking down on someone else.

[Maribeth]

This summed up how I see the world perfectly. I am a christian with a warped sense of humor. I think that making someone laugh or think about the funny things in life is much better than making someone feel judged.

Maribeth:)

[Cathy West]

Deep sarcasm is a spiritual gift that is sadly overlooked. Just read the New Testament. Do you think Jesus never had a sarcastic bone in His human body? Please. Unfortunately, there are those that just 'don't get it'. That's okay. I don't get Amish fiction. I don't hate it. I just don't get it. So tie me to the back of the buggy. I also think that the pillow throwing, huggy bear thing was generated by MySpace to run everyone off of Facebook.
And you're right, Chip, Rachelle is nicer than you - well, she has less facial hair at least. I've never really met you though, so what do I know? But since she's my agent I feel the need to stick up for her. But I've never seen her in a kilt so there could be some room for competition...

[John Robinson]

"A priest, a rabbi, a marmoset, and Chip MacGregor walk into a bar ..."

[AimeeLS]

John 8:1-11 - An adulterous woman is literally dragged in front of Jesus and the 'religious leaders' ask him what to do with her. They point out the Jewish law requires that she be stoned, but they know if Christ tells them to do that they can pull him in front of the Roman judicial system.

Christ's response? Well, first he ignores them, but when they push he says

"Let the sinless guy do it. Oh wait..."**

They're all so ashamed of themselves they slink away - the oldest ones first because they have the most sin to remember.

Christ is left alone with the woman. He looks up at her and says (sardonically?) "Didn't any of them condemn you?"

She says "No, sir. None."

Christ says "Neither do I. Now, don't do it again, okay? There are already plenty of sorry cases around inviting my judgment. Don't be one of them."**

** According to the AimeeLS Paraphrase anyway

[Jenny B. Jones]

Love this conversation thread.

I don't think Christians have lost their humor. I think it's something they often don't take ownership of. I think at the heart of this issue is expectation vs. reality. When people pick up a secular fiction book (think beach read), they often just have the expectation of "entertain me." But when they pick up any Christian fiction novel, there are all sorts of preconceived expectations I'm supposed to meet as the author. That book is guaranteed to fail someone. Or a few someones. The expectation is MANY CF readers expect CBA books to model the correct behavior--the Godly behavior (which often isn't funny). But when we write realistically (characters who screw up, characters who lie for greater gain, char who do/say something rated PG,etc. ), a handful of readers will get upset. As the author (or agent or career Facebook poster or whatever), you can be real or you can be the literary example of Christ in his perfection. But often you can't be both. (ex: I get hate mail for my YAs having teen characters kiss. Wholesome behavior? Not exactly. Realistic? Yep.)

The Bible is not a collection of perfect people acting perfectly in perfect situations. Humor is 100 percent about imperfection, and we are still struggling with whether we want to see reality/imperfection in CBA. Many do not, and that frustrates the HECK out of a large number of writers. Humor represents real life,which is often not pretty. And sometimes it's not polite or correct (but still can steer clear of meanness). And it's WAYYY past time Christian fiction reflected that more.

I think Tyler Perry is a great example of doing comedy successfully. He is a POWER PLAYER in Hollywood, a Christian, and creates movies/plays/TV shows with overt Christian/redemptive themes. You have no doubt what he believes in. But he also has drinking, cussing, and tongue-in-cheek drug references in his work. I'm SO not advocating that, but as he counts his bankroll, you can clearly see it's appealing to a lot of people who are not getting fed in this way by other movies, books, etc. But he's secular. Just as soon as we stamp "Christian fiction" on his work, it's game over. Christians are packing the theaters to see him, showing that they're getting their "reality" and humor somewhere else.

Real life is funny and flawed. And it's time we saw that reflected more in our writing and speaking. There are people hungry to see that reality. And finding it elsewhere.

Sorry for the essay. ; )

[Chip MacGregor]

I think this would be a good place to point out that I AM, in fact, nearly perfect. In case there was any doubt.

[Ryan Mecum]

fun post! i love jesus and i have written two of the more darkly humorous books on humor section bookshelves... zombie haiku and vampire haiku. there is hope.

[Gina]

From someone who knows you and thinks you're funny and has a pretty good sense of humor herself, I thought the fb post sounded a little mean.

[Michael Ehret]

Hey, combine this post with Athol's ACFW post recently, and we may be getting the IntelligentBack in Christianity and C-fiction.

[Amy]

I just have to say...I find your humor very refreshing! It reminds me of the show Seinfeld. You have the gift of drawing out the silly in the every day mundane.

[Susan Meissner]

“A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road.” - Henry Ward Beecher.

Some peeps don't understand that. And some peeps think they can make the road less pebbly for everyone by sending meaningless happy grams all over their friends' facebook pages...Lordamercy.

We should be using our marvelous brains to build a better road. Or a better wagon.

Sooz

[AimeeLS]

Chipward MacGregor!!!

*Twerp Alert!* *Twerp Alert!*

Danger Will Robinson

[Tracie Peterson]

Oh, please don't tell Chip how funny and wonderful he is. He already has that Scottish complex where he thinks he's the William Wallace of the publishing world. People like Chip really need to be kept on a leash. A very short - plaid leash is acceptable - but a leash nevertheless.

Oh, okay. I give up. I wanted to condemn you, Chip, but I can't. I'm still giggling over the post and it's hard to rebuke when giggling.

[Anne Lang Bundy]

"the bad boy of Christian publishing"—? ROTFL! Oh please, my abs can't take this!

(Ahem.)

Well, maybe you do have that one coming, Chip. You do expose your knobby knees and wear a skirt after all.

[Daniel Smith]

"When did Christians decide to stop laughing?"

When they ceased to apply their brains to anything at all - including and especially their faith. Smart people tend to prefer comedy. Average people tend to prefer drama. Use it or lose it people.

Ever see the movie Idiocracy? It literally gave me a headache and I didn't finish it. But the premise, man, the premise!

[Jessica McInnis]

"I've prayed about this deeply, and while we are all different, the Spirit says to me that you and I are not in complete harmony."

I thought that was hilarious.

I think your too-the-point, straight-up-honest, poking-fun attitude is half the reason I read this blog. Publishing advice might have a have a little something to do the other half...I'm still deciding.

I actually didn't get the facebook post when I read it on your blog. I was confused. But then I read the blog comments and had a 2am (literally) light bulb moment. Now I onboard with everyone else and also think the FB post was hilarious. :P

[Karenkmmonroy]

Any one who has had a Spiritual Practice for more than 5 minutes gets the idea of laughing at yourself and life-- and yes others. It is part of the path.
I notice there are many folks who have self-anointed as the 'Christian Police'.Humor is just one area they are pooping on.

Then of course, there is the possibility that it's not funny-which I am sure in your case is not possible :-)
Oh, that was a joke BTW.

[Janet Lyn]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for writing and posting this! It's about time someone came out and said this. People with no sense of humor scare me. Christians who do not have a sense of humor and think God has no sense of humor worry me greatly.

I am a Christian who has a well-developed, yes some would say overly-developed, sense of humor. Much of that is because I have survived great tragedies in my life. Without my faith AND a sense of humor and ability to laugh, I would not have survived. Period.

So, along with you, I add my heartiest laughter and say, "Lighten up people." Life is tough enough.

And hmmmm....didn't I read something in some spiritual book somewhere sometime about laughter being good medicine...so LOL for real, people. It's GOOD FOR YOU!!! heehee

[Sarah Heiskell]

Hi Chip,

I read your blog pretty regularly. I love it. And I couldn't agree with you more - I'm sick of all those "presents" from people (especially the people I don't even know!)

I liked your topic of hum. I don't get Christians who think life has to be so serious. Most of my friends think I'm far too sarcastic, but it makes life fun. And when it comes to reading Christian fiction, I cannot handle reading a book that doesn't have humor enterwined in the plot... which is why I love Susan May Warren.

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog. You make me laugh! Keep it up!