Sarcasm: a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain [Merriam-Webster]
Being sarcastic probably isn't thought of as being a theological topic, I'll agree. But for those of us who do tend to be sarcastic-- that is, taking it further than just light humor in casual conversation-- and know we have offended people with it before, might it be such a subject after all, as in scripturally "abstain from all appearance of evil?"
I'll share one example. A few years ago, in the week before Christmas, I was home and my doorbell rang, and it was a smiling woman who had some fruit for sale, who started talking about how their fruit is home grown and well-cultivated, while at the same time she was cutting a piece of something-- a peach or persimmon, maybe-- then offered me a wedge to sample. I just said "No." She repeated "No?" with a look of amazement. I said no once again, while she just stood there as if she had offered me a million dollars and I refused. I avoided laughing as we both stood there staring at each other, then I finally added derisively, "It's the negative response to a binary question." Then she finally unleashed her true self and motives as she angrily yelled, "Well, Merry ____'n Chistmas to YOU, too!" Then I did laugh as I shoved the door closed.
I made that woman mad, when it was unnecessary, by my tone and my belittling remark. But is there anything wrong with such interaction, especially when someone is doing a real "come on" to you? And then what about store clerks ["What makes you think I need any help?"], police officers ["You sure do know your penal code, Mr. PO-leese-man!"], a medical receptionist ["No, if you're behind, I don't mind waiting another half hour-- there ain't nothing I'd rather be doing"], employer ]Yes, SIRRR!/ MA'AMMM!"],...finally even God ["I know miracles are not usually your thing most of the time, and you know I'll be a suffering servant if you decide so, but this painful ____, that I'm supposed to count all joy, just might ruin my sunny disposition!"].
So, when is sarcasm 'alright,' when is it questionable, and when does it become sin?
Note that Jesus used sarcasm when in the Garden, when he came back to his 3 disciples and found them sleeping for the third time, and he said, "Sleep on now-- take our rest!" I think that was bitter irony, in line with the definition.
Sarcastic Christians
Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Alcott, May 11, 2019.
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I am probably the biggest culprit of sarcasm and I have been fighting my failure to break sarcasm for over a decade. I have found that sarcasm has set me back socially quite a bit and over time have found that there is almost not good reason to do this. I guess if the other person thinks it will be funny and it’s not gossip, then sarcasm would be good. Like the comedy “roasts” on TV.
Rhetorical hyperbole is similar to sarcasm and I believe it has value but many people can’t handle it and it shuts down a discussion much too often. And to this day, people have misinterpreted the rhetorical hyperbole in the Bible.
Sarcasm goes back to a passage that many people misinterpret. “Bless who curse” does not mean that you should ask for a long blessing from God on a witch who shakes a fetish in your direction. This becomes a personal pet peeve of mine especially when people do it when they disagree with me.
“Praise those who insult” is a better translation in my opinion. So, you should have said something like “The peach looks wonderful, but I don’t want to be obliged to purchase something I have no money for.”
And like sarcasm, praise like this has to be practiced to get good at it. -
underneath the sheep garment the wolf will eventually reveal him/herself no matter how well you treat them.
Eventually the fangs will comeforth.
However learn from your scars... be wise as a serpent but harmless as a dove. -
church mouse guy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
I am thinking that Jesus got a little sarcastic now and then.
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What if your spiritual gift is sarcasm? :confused:
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RighteousnessTemperance& Well-Known Member