Gotta love the sarcasm!

psycmajor · Jul 24, 2002

Perhaps it is just me, but has there been more and more sarcasm among members? I mean both Christians and non-Christians alike. Personally, I find it offensive when anyone does it.

Could we start being a bit more respectful toward each other? Agree to disagree, even, without having to act snide about it? State your point, don't rub it in.

Aussie_Tash · Jul 24, 2002

hmmm, i never noticed anything

Sharky · Jul 24, 2002

interesting thought tho. I've been sarcastic a few times. If you don't like it i'll gladly stop.

Sarcasm is part of my personality similar logic to christian gangsters who act like gangsters and others don't like it.

Offensive i think or not, as long as it's isn't blasphemous, sinful, bad or whatever, and it glorifies Him, i'm more than happy to accept it

. It's what makes God's children, God's children

.

I can stop if you want but that'd be forcing me to be not-me, just to 'state my point' by the way

.

coastie · Jul 24, 2002

you're taking away my favorite weapon PM!

Ben Reid · Jul 24, 2002

Originally posted by psycmajor
Perhaps it is just me, but has there been more and more sarcasm among members? I mean both Christians and non-Christians alike. Personally, I find it offensive when anyone does it.

Could we start being a bit more respectful toward each other? Agree to disagree, even, without having to act snide about it? State your point, don't rub it in.

Overt sarcasm is a definite turn-off. And that roll eyes icon just has to go ...

This raises another question though -- should a Christian be sarcastic at all? People don't generally expect Christians to be sarcastic; but isn't there a biblical precedent of satirical prophets such as Elijah and Micaiah, apostles like Paul, and, on occasion, Christ Himself.

One instance comes from the Gospel of John, in which a recent convert to Christianity is under interrogation by skeptics regarding his being healed of blindness by Jesus:

They said to him again, "What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?" He answered them, "I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?" (John 9:26, 27)

I answer some posts with sarcasm when someone comments on my posts with inexplicable ridicule and irrelevant quotations. I prefer reason and dialogue, but I can play the game by their rules as well:

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him; answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes (Prov. 26:4, 5). 

coastie · Jul 24, 2002

Jesus' sarcastic sense of humor toward the pharisees is one of the things that not only shows Jesus' human side, but also shows his depth of character and confidence in knowing that HE is right.

psycmajor · Jul 24, 2002

I'm talking about the self-righteous, "I'm better than you and smarter than you," sarcasm. The judgmental sarcasm which is intended to shame, degrade, and embarrass other people. The only use it has is to build up the self of the person being sarcastic and make themselves look somehow more powerful. I don't think it's necessary.

Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

I don't think Jesus was being sarcastic as much as He was trying to point out the irony of the actions of others.

Titus 3:1-8
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,
2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

So. What is your motive for being sarcastic? Is it really to raise up the Lord?

DaveKerwin · Jul 24, 2002

sarcasm is over rated (I am being sarcastic)

there is no hope for me, AH!

Lizzi4Christ · Jul 24, 2002

I really haven't noticed it that much. I'm often sarcastic to friends in a playful way. So that's ok, but not the I'm better then you attitude?

psycmajor · Jul 24, 2002

It's hard to tell in a forum because we can't watch people's facial expression, body language, hear their tone of voice, etc., so I think we should all be mindful of that.

ZiSunka · Jul 24, 2002

I love the eye-rolling smilie! 

I think it's more funny than it is mean.

 

AngelAmidala · Jul 24, 2002

Originally posted by psycmajor
It's hard to tell in a forum because we can't watch people's facial expression, body language, hear their tone of voice, etc., so I think we should all be mindful of that.

Hey....were you reading my thoughts yesterday? 

I was just saying to someone that in text sometimes it's hard to tell sarcasm from a serious tone from a joking manner.

You're right...we all need to be mindful of how we come across...espcially in an atmosphere like this where we're judged on the words we type, since there's no facial expressions to back them up.  Though we too could help people out by indicating we're joking or being funny or whatever. 

psycmajor · Jul 24, 2002

AngelAmidala

Actually, I think you've typed it elsewhere that we should use the smilies and such. I guess I'm just bringing it more to the forefront.

E-beth · Jul 24, 2002

/me is the QUEEN of SARCASM

Actually, sarcasm is a big big part of my personality, but I would not use it to hurt someone's feelings on purpose. I would prefer, if I did, that they would PM or email me and give me a chance to apologize.

The roll eyes smiley should be silly and should not be used as a personal attack. I also would encourage users to tell someone they feel has unintenionally hurt them in a private message or email. I'd like to think that no one would hurt someone's felings on purpose, but I know better.

I'm with Coastie..sarcasm, well, is a gift.

psycmajor · Jul 24, 2002

Sarcasm is entertaining, it just needs to be used carefully and with good judgment and intentions.

A Sheep · Jul 24, 2002

Yes, if someone feels that a post by a user has hurt them, they should PM said user about it and hopefully the poster will apologize and change the post, or explain to them what they wanted the post to come across as and edit the post to clarify the real meaning. The hurt person shouldn't post in public that they are unhappy with the original post; that should be done in private. I would like to use the smilies whenever appropriate and called-for but I only remember how to do these four in html "

" "

", and I prefer to use the "Quick Reply" box to post, so I have to use html smilies. I will have to study the other smilies if I want to post sarcasm and whatnot.

Ben Reid · Jul 25, 2002

Pyscmajor, I think you're right that we should always question our motives for using sarcasm. Even with good motives, it can so easily come across the wrong way. I don't think here are many times when sarcasm is really called for (apart from friendly humour ... but even then we have to be careful).

I agree with the points made about interaction via text (and smiley

) forums. Interpreting body language is such an important part of communication -- you can discern a lot about a person by studying the way they talk.

I also think that on forums we tend to read into posts more than what we should, according to how much we like somone. Those people who we think are against us in some way often come across as very sarcastic and holier-than-thou, and we probably come across that way to them, even though it may not have been intended.

psycmajor · Jul 25, 2002

Very true, Ben Reid.

KeepTheFaith15 · Jul 25, 2002

lets all get along guys, lets love each other, i think we should all take turns and say something NICE about each other ill start, psycmajor is an auesome person !

A Sheep · Jul 25, 2002

KeepTheFaith15 is really kind.

Gotta love the sarcasm!

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