Anonymous wrote:I think atheists have been the object of derision and misunderstanding more than religious people for several reasons 1) atheism, being the lack of religion, is a bit harder to understand and 2) atheists, until recently, have been pretty quiet about their lack of beliefs, 3. Atheism has been seen as the lack of all the perceived good elements of religions - morals, compassion, etc. That's changing now as atheists are speaking out more openly and some people are realizing that their some of their best friends are atheists.

Think of gays a few decades ago and I think that's where atheists are now -- or were until about 7 yeas ago when the "New atheists" popped up on the scene. Everyone knew atheists existed, but it was not something that was talked about in polite company.

I grew up in the middle of the last century and my impression as a youngster was that only old-fashioned people seriously believed that religion stuff. Sometime between then and now (the Reagan years, perhaps), the religious view overran the media. Or so it appeared from the circles I moved in.

I think atheists have been the object of derision and misunderstanding more than religious people for several reasons 1) atheism, being the lack of religion, is a bit harder to understand and 2) atheists, until recently, have been pretty quiet about their lack of beliefs, 3. Atheism has been seen as the lack of all the perceived good elements of religions - morals, compassion, etc. That's changing now as atheists are speaking out more openly and some people are realizing that their some of their best friends are atheists.

Think of gays a few decades ago and I think that's where atheists are now -- or were until about 7 yeas ago when the "New atheists" popped up on the scene. Everyone knew atheists existed, but it was not something that was talked about in polite company.

I think humor is fine. When it gets mean-spirited, it makes me sad.

I think someone's ability to laugh at a joke about their beliefs depends on their security about those beliefs.

Anonymous wrote:I make jokes about religion and my religious heritage, Roman Catholic, all the time. Then, after laughing, I add that I am going to hell for that one!

Also, I have a pretty serious Protestant friend who I refer to as "heretic" and he calls me "papist." Among my Jewish friends, when we are in a SNAFU, usually involving our wives - affectionately known as the die frauen - one of will ask "why is this night different from any other?" I am also the goy.

Some of my lesser jokes -

I am a submarine Catholic. I come up at Christmas and Easter!
How many Orthodox (Christians) does it take to screw in a lightbulb? None. The Orthodox do not like change.
When God said "Let there be light!" I think he meant "Bud Lite!"

Would a temple wear a thong?

Jesus said in my father's house there are many rooms. Unfortunately, your (Protestants room) will be by the ice and vending machines!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jrh_uuPmd0

We often joke with our Protestant friends. God gave us alcohol; He gave you birth control. It is all parr of natural family planning. How else do you think we end up with all these kids?

Anonymous wrote:I tend to only tell jokes about my own religion. So I would not tell a Jewish/Muslim/Athiest joke because I am none of those religions.

I also find my athiest friends are super sensitive about religion ... less so than my non practicing religion friends. It's like they think about it too much and if you told a joke they would jump right to defensive and ask why I support a church that molests kids.

So short answer... no I would not make a joke about other peoples religion. (unless it was my best friend)

Usually I overlook that common misspelling of atheist, but in this context I think I should say: My feelings are not that strong, I'm just athier, not athiest.

Most of the Catholics I know have a great sense of humor about our religion. Maybe it is because we are heavy on the party cultures: Irish, Mexicans, Italians, etc.

I make jokes about religion and my religious heritage, Roman Catholic, all the time. Then, after laughing, I add that I am going to hell for that one!

Also, I have a pretty serious Protestant friend who I refer to as "heretic" and he calls me "papist." Among my Jewish friends, when we are in a SNAFU, usually involving our wives - affectionately known as the die frauen - one of will ask "why is this night different from any other?" I am also the goy.

Some of my lesser jokes -

I am a submarine Catholic. I come up at Christmas and Easter!
How many Orthodox (Christians) does it take to screw in a lightbulb? None. The Orthodox do not like change.
When God said "Let there be light!" I think he meant "Bud Lite!"

Would a temple wear a thong?

Jesus said in my father's house there are many rooms. Unfortunately, your (Protestants room) will be by the ice and vending machines!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jrh_uuPmd0

I tend to only tell jokes about my own religion. So I would not tell a Jewish/Muslim/Athiest joke because I am none of those religions.

I also find my athiest friends are super sensitive about religion ... less so than my non practicing religion friends. It's like they think about it too much and if you told a joke they would jump right to defensive and ask why I support a church that molests kids.

So short answer... no I would not make a joke about other peoples religion. (unless it was my best friend)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We will see how funny it is when you burn in the eternal flames of hell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5evsxRdkJw

Why are you so gleeful about that? Why would someone else's pain give you satisfaction? Are you sick that way?

You didn't watch the video, did you?

Anonymous wrote:We will see how funny it is when you burn in the eternal flames of hell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5evsxRdkJw

Why are you so gleeful about that? Why would someone else's pain give you satisfaction? Are you sick that way?

Offhand, all I think of to make fun of in atheism is the idea of a bunch of chemicals, purely by chance, jumping up and forming cells, and those cells deciding to join together to form a worm, a fish, or Albert Einstein.

Nah, the joke on atheists is if we're wrong!

Anonymous wrote:We will see how funny it is when you burn in the eternal flames of hell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5evsxRdkJw

I kept imagining that speech with his Magneto helmet on.

We will see how funny it is when you burn in the eternal flames of hell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5evsxRdkJw

I got into a little trouble in another thread, unintentionally offending somone with a joke involving the flying spaghetti monster. http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/343778.page#4326266

I think there is an interesting question here, which I will raise even though I risk starting a thread that may eventually offend some. I think we atheists make fun of religion much more than believers make fun of atheism. Am I wrong about that, and if not, is it worth considering the asymmetry? Are you believers nicer than us, or is there just less to make fun of? And please try not to take offense at this, but do believers see just a little humor in some things about religion, such as the big guy with the white beard flying through the sky in the Sistine Chapel to touch life into Adam's finger, or a wafer turning people into Savior-munchers? Offhand, all I think of to make fun of in atheism is the idea of a bunch of chemicals, purely by chance, jumping up and forming cells, and those cells deciding to join together to form a worm, a fish, or Albert Einstein.

Anyone else loony enough to see humor in this stuff?