At the Risk of Appearing to Not Have a Sense of Humor

Fandango

13CD0B05-F8DF-423E-8B5A-66FA44A450E5Every Monday Paula Light gives us an opportunity to whine about something via her Monday Peeve prompt, saying that sometimes we need to vent a bit. And today I have something to vent about.

I like to think of myself as a witty person, someone who possesses a keen sense of humor. But I saw something recently that really pissed me off. The person who said it — or actually wrote it, since he posted it on an app called Nextdoor — must consider himself to be a real witty fellow, since he apparently thought what he posted was a hoot. Well, in my opinion, he isn’t a wit, he’s a nitwit.

So what did this guy write that pissed me off?

“I once wanted to become an atheist but I gave up because they only have one holiday and that’s on April Fools Day.
God bless you all!!”

Oh har har hardy, har, har!

Now let me first say that I am not a militant atheist. I simply don’t believe that gods exists. I don’t believe that humans were created by God in God’s image. I do believe that humans created God to be a human-like being with superhuman powers. That said, everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, and my philosophy on that subject is “whatever floats your boat.”

But, at the risk of appearing to not have a sense of humor, what this guy posted really pissed me off. What is it about atheists that people thinks it’s fair game to denigrate them? Why is it okay, on a public forum, to tell a derogatory joke about atheists but it’s not okay to tell demeaning jokes about Christians or Jews or Muslims or any other religious beliefs?

Some “believers” believe that atheists have no real sense of humor. They claim that atheists are experts at laughing at others but they do not seem capable of laughing at themselves.

Well, when you live in a country that is mostly Christian, where many Christians believe it’s their calling to persuade as many non-Christians as possible that we are wrong and need to be redeemed, one does become offended by being told often enough that if you don’t believe in God, you have no moral compass, that you can’t distinguish between good and evil or right and wrong, and that you’re condemned to eternal damnation unless you’re “saved” by embracing Jesus, you do tend to lose your sense of humor about derogatory atheist jokes.

Okay, that’s it. My rant is done, my vent complete, and my whine is over. And I know what you’re thinking. When my life, as well, is over, I should prepare myself to spend an eternity in hell, right?

23 thoughts on “At the Risk of Appearing to Not Have a Sense of Humor”

  1. Paula Light July 13, 2020 / 12:12 pm

    Fab peeve! I feel the same. Back in Illinois, I was told pretty often I’d be going to hell, and I didn’t find it funny either.

    Like

  2. Paula Light July 13, 2020 / 12:12 pm

    Fab peeve! I feel the same. Back in Illinois, I was told pretty often I’d be going to hell, and I didn’t find it funny either.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. lssattitudeofgratitude July 13, 2020 / 1:00 pm

    I get your peeve. My belief is that everyone has the right to believe or not believe whatever they think is real. I don’t know who gets more flack, atheists or Jews. Trust me, I have been told I am going to hell from many “kind” people.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Fandango July 13, 2020 / 2:09 pm

      I have little tolerance for those who believe they have all the answers and act “holier than thou.”

      Liked by 3 people

  4. Mister Bump UK July 13, 2020 / 1:05 pm

    I’m with you. It might be (heavily) disguised as humour but there’s a serious point – that his beliefs are better than yours. I just see that as patronising. Fortunately, it’s possible to expose their beliefs for what they are.. beliefs.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Liz July 13, 2020 / 1:24 pm

    I totally agree with this post.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Ruth July 13, 2020 / 2:03 pm

    I’m not at all religious either, so I’ll be joining you in your peeve this week! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  7. XingfuMama July 13, 2020 / 9:32 pm

    A Nextdoor post of that nature is inappropriate. It’s supposed to be a venue for local news and information, not personal jokes at the expense of others.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango July 13, 2020 / 10:23 pm

      I agree, but I decided against making a big deal about it by responding on, or complaining to, Nextdoor. I decided, instead, to vent about it on my blog.

      Like

  8. Marleen July 13, 2020 / 11:21 pm

    These days, a lot of the Christians need to shape up. I think many will find that, on moral grounds (morals and ideas they haven’t thought through for themselves as responsible individuals), a late laugh is to be on them… and they won’t find it funny. I say this as a person of faith.

    Liked by 2 people

  9. Lolsy's Library July 14, 2020 / 2:47 am

    I feel lucky sometimes, that I do know Christians and Atheists, that are lovely , and very funny, people. Because when I meet one that isn’t, they get my goat. I don’t know if you’ve heard of George Pell, worst Christian ever.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango July 14, 2020 / 10:38 am

      I am not familiar with him, but I will Google “George Pell.”

      Liked by 1 person

  10. newepicauthor July 14, 2020 / 8:30 am

    I always celebrate my cats birthdays on April 1st, as who really knows when they were born.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. CARAMEL July 14, 2020 / 1:34 pm

    I do believe in a Creator, but i do not believe many religious doctrines.
    However…I would never mock another person’s treasured beliefs.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Irene July 15, 2020 / 7:37 am

    I am a Christian, and I find that “joke” unfunny and rude!

    Liked by 1 person

  14. leigha66 July 15, 2020 / 3:44 pm

    There was nothing funny about what he posted. Glad WordPress was there for you to vent – it is better out than in.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. myforever77 July 18, 2020 / 9:16 am

    I agree the joke is rude, however, it is only words, Christians are killed,or haven’t you noticed. I also know that those so-called Christians who tell anyone they are going to Hell will have to answer to God for that, since; we are not to judge the soul of another.
    As long as we have breath, God is not finished with us.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango July 18, 2020 / 10:32 am

      “Christians are killed, or haven’t you noticed.” I don’t believe that, in the United States, Christians are being killed specifically because they are Christians. Since the majority of Americans are Christians, the majority of those murdered are also Christians, but that is simple math and has nothing to do with their religion or beliefs.

      Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.