Knock, Knock

      Knock, knock.  Who's there?  Not America's collective sense of humor.  It has been poisoned by political correctness. What in years past would clearly be seen as a joke, might now be interpreted as offensive, even hate speech. It is only a matter of time before those who interpret freedom of religion to mean freedom from religion, to decide that freedom from offensive humor means freedom from all humor. We are taking ourselves way too seriously.  There is a strange dichotomy in American culture today, in one group are people who can't wait to be offended, they are offended when someone prays in public or pledges allegiance to the flag or similar radical behavior.  They feel that these traditional values cast judgment on their own.  Some seek offense so they can someday cash in, a sort of lawsuit lottery.  Some are offended because it is in their nature, and those who expect to be insulted are seldom disappointed.
     The other group also can't wait to be offended; they place calls to shock radio hosts or appear on television programs knowing the guests are habitually ridiculed. To some it is worth the humiliation to have 15 minutes of fame.  The humiliation business has never been more popular, court tv, quasi-talent shows and insulting talk show hosts abound on both radio and television.  Some well paid comedians have made a whole career out of  being flagrantly offensive: old school, Don Rickles, new school, Ricky Gervais.  But regular humor that pokes fun at some foible of human nature is considered dangerous. Part of the problem is that many of these weaknesses are now classified as disorders and singling them out, a form of discrimination.  People are no longer short or bald, they are height impaired and follicly challenged.
     I think it's important that we, as Christians, don't get caught up in the "can't take a joke" mentality. Yes Alzheimer's is a sad disease, but that doesn't mean we can't joke about failing memory. If your loved one is facing Alzheimer's, humor may be your best coping tool. There are some wonderful, Christian attorneys, but lawyer jokes are still funny. Jokes about heaven or hell are jokes, not an assault on our theology.  If we can't conquer our obesity, we can at least lighten up, after all, fat people are supposed to be jolly.
      I didn't get my sense of humor from my happy home.  My mother is a schizophrenic.  It is a mostly no fun disease, but even that has some funny aspects.  For instance-the good thing about schizophrenics is that they always have someone to talk to. God gives people different gifts to help them cope, mine is humor.  And laughing at ourselves promotes humility.  God's people are to be characterized by not being quick tempered or easily offended, no matter what our culture practices.  If the joy of the Lord is our strength, laughter should be our aerobic workout.