Why no dirty jokes?

[URA]

I'm asking this mostly as a devil's advocate question, because it's pretty well accepted across Christians that dirty jokes are unacceptable, but I rarely hear reasons as to why. Specifically, why are dirty jokes forbidden, but other offensive jokes allowed? I can joke about something blowing up & killing somebody, and that's fine, and I can joke about drug use, or other awful things, but not sex?

I'm interested to see where this goes.

May God bless us all with the proper enjoyment of this quirky world!

 

[HTacianas]

I'm asking this mostly as a devil's advocate question, because it's pretty well accepted across Christians that dirty jokes are unacceptable, but I rarely hear reasons as to why. Specifically, why are dirty jokes forbidden, but other offensive jokes allowed? I can joke about something blowing up & killing somebody, and that's fine, and I can joke about drug use, or other awful things, but not sex?

I'm interested to see where this goes.

May God bless us all with the proper enjoyment of this quirky world!View attachment 253811 View attachment 253812

Eph 5:4 - Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

 

[jacks]

I'm someone who appreciates a good joke and I'm not easily offended. However, sometimes jokes can be slightly offensive even when clean. Dirty jokes carry an even greater risk of offending some people. So for the sake of harmony and not unintentionally offending someone, it is usually wise to avoid off color jokes. Maybe along the lines of 1 Corinthians 10:23-32.

 

[The_wanderer 40]

I’ll bite... I think it’s OK to tell jokes about sex provided they’re not graphic. I know some pretty good ones. I don’t think it’s OK to tell sexual jokes that demean men or women, or that make light of sin.

 

[AvgJoe]

Question: "What does the Bible say about coarse jesting and crude joking?"

Answer: Coarse jesting and crude joking are attempts to elicit laughs by crossing a line into impropriety. The use of foul language, sexual innuendo, or rude or racist comments means that a so-called joke had to appeal to baser instincts in order to earn laughs. Ephesians 5:3–4 warns against coarse jesting: “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” It is interesting that coarse jesting is included in this list of more grievous sins that are “improper for God’s holy people.”

Coarse jesting and crude joking do not reflect the new life we have in Christ. God desires to transform us by renewing our minds and sanctifying our spirits (Romans 12:1–2; 2 Corinthians 10:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3). We are walking temples, dedicated to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Physical body parts that were once dedicated to sin become “instruments of righteousness” (Romans 6:12–13). Our mouths are part of our bodies and a significant part of that transformation. From our mouths should come worship and praise, edification and encouragement, truth and blessing (James 3:9–12). Controlling our mouths is part of true religion: “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless” (James 1:26).

In everything we do, we should seek to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31). This includes our joke-telling and attempts at humor. Laughter is great, but we should learn to control our words, judging whether or not they belong in a body that houses the Holy Spirit. Would Jesus think that joke is great? Would He find humor in foul language, demeaning jabs, or sexual innuendo? If not, then we should refrain from that type of speech. Coarse jesting and crude joking do not need to come from a mouth that is supposedly dedicated to His honor.

The Bible says that our words are powerful, and we need to treat them with respect (Proverbs 18:21). Part of maturing in Christ is learning to filter what comes out of our mouths. Some people give themselves a pass on questionable banter and coarse jesting because “it’s just a joke.” But Proverbs 26:19 warns against those who hide behind the phrase “I was only joking!” Jokes do not give us an excuse to sin.

Intelligent humor does not rely on shock value or offensive content. True humor can stand on its own merit. Comedians who rely on inappropriate, coarse joking to get laughs are only demonstrating their lack of creativity. They must make their hearers uncomfortable to hold their attention, and that is not a mark of excellence.

When our thoughts have been purified by immersing ourselves in God’s Word, our speech will change (see Philippians 4:8), and coarse joking will feel foreign on our tongues. Crude jesting will leave a bad taste in our spirits and echo like a clattering gong in our ears. If we belong to Jesus, the Holy Spirit will draw us toward repentance when we’ve crossed a line. Coarse jesting and crude joking have no place in the life of a follower of Christ.

www.gotquestions.org/coarse-jesting.html

 

[GodsGrace101]

I know!

Because they're not funny?

 

[AvgJoe]

An example of God's humor is the instance in which the Israelites were using the Ark of the Covenant like a good-luck charm in taking it to battle, and the Philistines ended up capturing it and placing it in their temple before their idol of Dagon. They came into the temple the next day and found Dagon flat on his face before the ark. They set him back up. The next morning, there he was again, but this time he had his hands and head cut off as a symbol of his powerlessness before the God of the ark (1 Samuel 5:1-5). God’s putting Dagon in a position of submission to His ark is a comical picture.

 

[Ttalkkugjil]

Impurity's sins aren't proper for a Christian church and should never be found in believers' lives. Such sins include, but aren't limited to, dirty, indecent jokes. There should be no such lewd, suggestive joking.

As God's children we should be kept so busy in praising God that we've no time left for such impure humor.

 

[ilovejcsog]

It dirties up the soul. You are what you associate with. We are contaminated with whatever we take in, good or bad. Me for example, when I am around dirty jokes or sexual stuff it gets inside me and each time I accept just a little bit more until anything goes. Introduced slowly until it takes over. That is what has happened to the country. Pretty much anything goes. Do you need examples?

 

[timewerx]

I can joke about something blowing up & killing somebody, and that's fine

Actually, nobody makes such jokes around here where I live.

It's a rough and rugged place. You can get killed here for such jokes.

If you live in a multicultural environment, it's a bad idea.

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

I'd say this topic is going to get many replies because you have to remember humor is all subjective. I know people that aren't christian who don't care for humor of any kind. Me personally, I like jokes but I never really get into extreme ones like sex, well unless it's just and my wife. I joke around people in a non-offensive way because laughter is the best medicine.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

Dirty jokes are a mild form of sexual sin. The principle is that if a person is in the habit of telling dirty jokes, then the only thing stopping him of committing rape, incest, fornication, or adultery is the shame of being caught and the negative consequences of the act. If he could get away with it, he would do any of those things. A wrong heart toward sex starts with taking that second look of lust at a woman. A person may get away with minor lustful thoughts and jokes, because others don't see the person's heart. But God sees the heart, and He sees an evil heart of lust where others don't see.

I was sitting in a restaurant one day a number of years ago with a Christian brother. He looked over at a woman sitting at another table and saw that she had her legs apart under her table. He remarked, "I can see right up to her crotch!" I didn't think much about it at the time, but recently after seeing a study on minor sins leading to major ones, I realised that the brother had a heart of lust and that is why he took special notice of the woman with her legs apart and stared at her. A genuine believer with a holy heart might have seen the same thing, but would have looked away and said nothing.

A professing Christian who tells dirty jokes shows a lack of respect for women, and also a lack of respect for the honour of Christ.

 

[URA]

Dirty jokes are a mild form of sexual sin. The principle is that if a person is in the habit of telling dirty jokes, then the only thing stopping him of committing rape, incest, fornication, or adultery is the shame of being caught and the negative consequences of the act. If he could get away with it, he would do any of those things. A wrong heart toward sex starts with taking that second look of lust at a woman. A person may get away with minor lustful thoughts and jokes, because others don't see the person's heart. But God sees the heart, and He sees an evil heart of lust where others don't see.

This makes a lot of sense. I've always had a dark sense of humor, even more now that I've taken Criminal Justice courses in college. I've seen the Criminal Justice students with a certain kind of humor with the awful things they study, and I've started to do the same. It's a coping mechanism, really. Most people only see terrible crimes occasionally, if ever, but those of us in classes like Forensic Psychology and Serial Killers read articles & watch videos about all sorts of horrors, all the time. Making jokes about serial killers is part of how we stay sane!

But joking about murder isn't going to make murder acceptable; death is still seen as far too horrific. But sex is super-trivialized, and the more we joke about it, the more trivialized it becomes. A lot of girls get raped or sexually assaulted at frat parties, and only once in the 2 years I've been hear has it been reported; the general mentality is, "It was at a party, so it doesn't count." (And the girl who reported it only did after one of the dark sense of humor Criminal Justice students spent hours to talk her into reporting it!).

Joking about sex in a culture that already trivializes it further makes it seem arbitrary, and worse, may even lead to people assuming that everyone will enjoy it--dangerous.

Thoughts?

Thank you for your input & God bless!

 

[ace of hearts]

Eph 5:4 - Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Yes Christians aren't permitted to have fun. Your verse means no joking even to make a point. I find it no small wonder many don't want to be a Christian.

 

[ace of hearts]

I'm someone who appreciates a good joke and I'm not easily offended. However, sometimes jokes can be slightly offensive even when clean. Dirty jokes carry an even greater risk of offending some people. So for the sake of harmony and not unintentionally offending someone, it is usually wise to avoid off color jokes. Maybe along the lines of 1 Corinthians 10:23-32.

I find that to never offend another the only way is to become a total hermit.

 

[ace of hearts]

Dirty jokes are a mild form of sexual sin. The principle is that if a person is in the habit of telling dirty jokes, then the only thing stopping him of committing rape, incest, fornication, or adultery is the shame of being caught and the negative consequences of the act. If he could get away with it, he would do any of those things. A wrong heart toward sex starts with taking that second look of lust at a woman. A person may get away with minor lustful thoughts and jokes, because others don't see the person's heart. But God sees the heart, and He sees an evil heart of lust where others don't see.

I was sitting in a restaurant one day a number of years ago with a Christian brother. He looked over at a woman sitting at another table and saw that she had her legs apart under her table. He remarked, "I can see right up to her crotch!" I didn't think much about it at the time, but recently after seeing a study on minor sins leading to major ones, I realised that the brother had a heart of lust and that is why he took special notice of the woman with her legs apart and stared at her. A genuine believer with a holy heart might have seen the same thing, but would have looked away and said nothing.

A professing Christian who tells dirty jokes shows a lack of respect for women, and also a lack of respect for the honour of Christ.

It's a fearful thing to not be able to talk about what is happening. Good men do nothing.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

This makes a lot of sense. I've always had a dark sense of humor, even more now that I've taken Criminal Justice courses in college. I've seen the Criminal Justice students with a certain kind of humor with the awful things they study, and I've started to do the same. It's a coping mechanism, really. Most people only see terrible crimes occasionally, if ever, but those of us in classes like Forensic Psychology and Serial Killers read articles & watch videos about all sorts of horrors, all the time. Making jokes about serial killers is part of how we stay sane!

But joking about murder isn't going to make murder acceptable; death is still seen as far too horrific. But sex is super-trivialized, and the more we joke about it, the more trivialized it becomes. A lot of girls get raped or sexually assaulted at frat parties, and only once in the 2 years I've been hear has it been reported; the general mentality is, "It was at a party, so it doesn't count." (And the girl who reported it only did after one of the dark sense of humor Criminal Justice students spent hours to talk her into reporting it!).

Joking about sex in a culture that already trivializes it further makes it seem arbitrary, and worse, may even lead to people assuming that everyone will enjoy it--dangerous.

Thoughts?

Thank you for your input & God bless!

I worked as a court victim advisor for the last ten years before I retired. My team leader felt that my sense of humour was an asset to the office and made it a positive point on my performance review. But then, my humour is more laughing at myself than ridiculing others. For example, my team leader said once that she would shoot down stairs and get a cup of coffee. I told her that I would walk down like a normal person! Another time, she read a summary facts about a domestic violence case and exclaimed: "You're joking!" I said, "No, that's not joking. The unsuccessful Scottish hunter went out into the fog and missed. That's joking!" She would tell me to shut up, but with a wide smile on her face!

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

It's a fearful thing to not be able to talk about what is happening. Good men do nothing.

There have been a few faithful men and women of God who have stood up for the truth, and had a revival as a result.

 

[thecolorsblend]

I speak only for myself in saying that I find intelligent humor to be the funniest. That's the sort I value the most. Meta-jokes and the like.

Dirty humor is cheap and easy. It requires no thought to create and no brains to understand. It's just kind of there. Low-hanging fruit. It's easy.

But yes, this place is a little too uptight about that stuff.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

I speak only for myself in saying that I find intelligent humor to be the funniest. That's the sort I value the most. Meta-jokes and the like.

Dirty humor is cheap and easy. It requires no thought to create and no brains to understand. It's just kind of there. Low-hanging fruit. It's easy.

But yes, this place is a little too uptight about that stuff.

So the book written by that celebrated Chinese author Wun Hung Lo, was actually about growing fruit trees so that the fruit could easily be reached?