Religion and Comedy Shows: How far is too far?

THere is a trend of putting religious figures like Jesus/Moses etc in comedy and depicting them in humorous and often derogatory manners.

FOr example,

Carlos Mencia: Extremely popular comedian here in America, had a comedy skit with the Prophets wrestling with each other and beating each other up ( Jesus pbuh won by shooting lightning at Moses pbuh, Muhammad pbuh was shown as invisible and was thrown out of the ring by some Hindu God) :raging:


SOuth Park regularly pokes "fun" if u want to call it at Jesus


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu0-WUu8LCg

Jesus being slashed by one of the characters :raging:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkzJ89NkIxs

Jesus boxing with Satan videogame ( He lost) :raging:




Seriously. People defend these abominations by saying "We're jsut kidding, you shouldnt take it so seriously."

How can you not take public disgracing of your religion seriously? If you dont see it as that, then you need to reassess your faith because this shows a lack of respect for your religion. How can you follow what you dont respect?

I would rather suffer a riot against a cartoon depicting my religion in a comedy show like the ones mentioned above, than it be reduced to a mainstream joke. :enough!:

AntiKarateKid said:

THere is a trend of putting religious figures like Jesus/Moses etc in comedy and depicting them in humorous and often derogatory manners.

FOr example,

Carlos Mencia: Extremely popular comedian here in America, had a comedy skit with the Prophets wrestling with each other and beating each other up ( Jesus pbuh won by shooting lightning at Moses pbuh, Muhammad pbuh was shown as invisible and was thrown out of the ring by some Hindu God) :raging:


SOuth Park regularly pokes "fun" if u want to call it at Jesus


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu0-WUu8LCg

Jesus being slashed by one of the characters :raging:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkzJ89NkIxs

Jesus boxing with Satan videogame ( He lost) :raging:




Seriously. People defend these abominations by saying "We're jsut kidding, you shouldnt take it so seriously."

How can you not take public disgracing of your religion seriously? If you dont see it as that, then you need to reassess your faith because this shows a lack of respect for your religion. How can you follow what you dont respect?

I would rather suffer a riot against a cartoon depicting my religion in a comedy show like the ones mentioned above, than it be reduced to a mainstream joke. :enough!:

Click to expand...

"How can you not take public disgracing of your religion seriously?"
I have no issue because I believe everyone is entitled to state there opinion and mostly I enjoy a good joke and I think god would also.

I also think taking violent action against no violent acts is a sin.

It's all about what is acceptable in the mainstream media. Jokes about race or other minority groups isn't acceptable. Making light of religious beliefs and talking down to people of faith is acceptable.

AntiKarateKid is right. In my ideal state such comedies would be banned, no matter if they humiliate christians, jews or muslims.

its ridiculous

There is nothing comical about such comedies, but I guarantee if you watch it, or are fueled in anger by it, they take notice and reinforce more negative comedies...

They are aimed at a certain audience and looks to provoke the rest... the best thing to do is to ignore it.. honestly whenever I see something like this I just switch the Chanel or boycott the show -- family guy/ simpsons etc constantly revel in despicable mockery, and I believe it is because they always find an audience to lap it up.. if they didn't have good ratings, they would desist .. shows gets canceled because people don't tune in.. and I believe that is the best philosophy, whether they are making toons, or caricatures etc.. the best thing isn't to go in a mad frenzy, rather find an alternative method to make them feel the hurt...

and Allah swt knows best

my two cents

It's stupid. So what if they thinks it's a joke. Some religious people would take offence to it. Don't they realise that?

The Simpsons generally has a subtle message to convey which does appear to reinforce universal morals.
It may appear to adhere to mockery and, (and I don't confine myself to such viewing all of the time! I'm certainly not saying it's crucial to ones moral development but...) it's not so bad in projecting some good social values (i.e.family values) to its audience.
There's more to it that is first apparent, albeit not that much to get excited about!
Lots more on TV to get a sore head about, like SKY NEWS!
:statisfie

Wilma_Hum said:

"How can you not take public disgracing of your religion seriously?"
I have no issue because I believe everyone is entitled to state there opinion and mostly I enjoy a good joke and I think god would also.

I also think taking violent action against no violent acts is a sin.

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Hi,

Riot as in signs and protests and such, not people smashing windows and etc. I should have made that pert clearer.

I disagree with your "joke" part. God is not a human. People have died for their religion and sacrificed everything. From a theistic perspective, respect towards God is essential and dismissing it in the name of humor is repugnant to many.

Tell me, if you go to an extremely important job interview that you really need to ace, are you gonna put your arm ont he table and crack jokes about the interviewer?

So when you meet God after your death and your life is being examined, you are comfortable with making jokes about what guidance he sent you? Crack a joke about God or his prophets to his face and let's see what he thinks about your devotion.


As an agnostic, this should be a non issue because you have not even chosen a faith. Therefore your comment about "god taking a joke" is supported only by your own opnionion and not any divine authority.

What baffles me is that these people can make fun of God during a show, then afterwards pray to him for help.

Making fun of your religion is not "innocent fun". It shows a lack of faith and respects towards the very tenets of your existence.

Nothing is sacred to these people. Perhaps they may realize someday that life is not a joke. A near death experience might sober them up.

Karina said:

The Simpsons generally has a subtle message to convey which does appear to reinforce universal morals.
It may appear to adhere to mockery and, (and I don't confine myself to such viewing all of the time! I'm certainly not saying it's crucial to ones moral development but...) it's not so bad in projecting some good social values (i.e.family values) to its audience.
There's more to it that is first apparent, albeit not that much to get excited about!
Lots more on TV to get a sore head about, like SKY NEWS!
:statisfie

Click to expand...

Hi karina,

# [to Louie Towman] You make life miserable and they can't do something about it. Just like God. - Homer Simpson

There were others but whatever "good" messages the simpsons ever got across were drowned the the plethora of crude and cynical ones that they also sent.

I see no need for restrictions. Anyone likely to be "offended" can always watch something else, or if they find themselves becoming "offended" can always use the off-switch or leave the theatre. I use inverted commas as any real offence caused is usually minimal, most is just hysteria whipped up afterwards (or in some cases, in anticipation) by those with in an interest in doing so. I also think that many religions, and religious beliefs benefit from being gently mocked. That may well be, and usually is, 'unfair', but it can also throw a new light on things that helps you better understand them, appreciate them and even on occasion rethink them. One reason jokes are made about religion is that sometimes religious practices can actually seem pretty funny (even from your own religion, if you are honest enough to admit it).. anyone else old enough to remember Dave Allen?

BTW, nobody is "making fun" of God. The idea is pretty silly if you sit down and think about it for a second. How can you "make fun" of an omnipotent being? The idea God might be "offended" is even more ludicrous. It is the beliefs of people, and people themselves, being made fun of, not God, Jesus, Moses or Mohammed. Just bear that in mind and most "offence" disappears in a puff of pseudo-anger.

It is the widespread acceptance of treating religion as the butt of jokes that is disgusting. God cannot be offended. But he couldnt possibly deem this as righteous behavior.

Honestly some censorship is a good thing.Why do so many shows censor Pornographic material? Gratuitous violence?


I wouldnt like kids thinking religion is a joke any more than them thinking porn or extreme violence is cool.

AntiKarateKid said:

...
Honestly some censorship is a good thing.Why do so many shows censor Pornographic material? Gratuitous violence?


I wouldnt like kids thinking religion is a joke any more than them thinking porn or extreme violence is cool.

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Ah, you've come across one of the main hypocricies of this world. Welcome to the secular world where everything is allowed except whatever xyz group doesn't like (which is in direct contradiction of what IS allowed...e.g adultery not a crime but polygamy is...yeah that makes perfect sense!).

Hey Kid,

you know what, you have TOTAL control over what you watch and don't watch!

simply put Carlos Mencia and South Park on your list of "I ain't watching stuff!"

in fact, if you don't have a library of Islamic lectures, just unplug your TV and put in the closet until you get some.

go to youtube only to watch videos you might actually benefit from

in fact, try the videos here:

http://www.bilalphilips.com/bilal_pages.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=288

i highly recommend Foundations of Islamic Studies and Contemporary Issues!

for some nice beneficial audio lectures, go here:

http://www.muftimenk.co.za/Downloads.html

i recommend that you stop wasting your valuable time trying to find all the things that the kuffar do wrong and spend more time on media that will benefit you, like this:

http://www.kalamullah.com/al-fatihah.html

you will be better served and it will be easier, In Sha'a Allah, to explain Islam to others!

just some thoughts Brother...

AntiKarateKid said:

I wouldnt like kids thinking religion is a joke any more than them thinking porn or extreme violence is cool.

Click to expand...

Just because you make can make jokes about religion does not mean religion is a joke. However if you try and force people into respecting religion through bans and censorship, you run the risk of turning it into one.

YusufNoor said:

Hey Kid,

you know what, you have TOTAL control over what you watch and don't watch!

simply put Carlos Mencia and South Park on your list of "I ain't watching stuff!"

in fact, if you don't have a library of Islamic lectures, just unplug your TV and put in the closet until you get some.

go to youtube only to watch videos you might actually benefit from

in fact, try the videos here:

http://www.bilalphilips.com/bilal_pages.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=288

i highly recommend Foundations of Islamic Studies and Contemporary Issues!

for some nice beneficial audio lectures, go here:

http://www.muftimenk.co.za/Downloads.html

i recommend that you stop wasting your valuable time trying to find all the things that the kuffar do wrong and spend more time on media that will benefit you, like this:

http://www.kalamullah.com/al-fatihah.html

you will be better served and it will be easier, In Sha'a Allah, to explain Islam to others!

just some thoughts Brother...

Click to expand...

Thanks for the links brother,

I probably didnt make it clear in my post. I am well aware that I can just change the channel. That was not my point. I was interested in hearing people's views on this type of comedy and if it's just me who thinks its retarded.


Peace!

Trumble said:

Just because you make can make jokes about religion does not mean religion is a joke. However if you try and force people into respecting religion through bans and censorship, you run the risk of turning it into one.

Click to expand...

Just because you dont want children watching porn and extremely violent shows does not mean it is bad. However if you try and force people into watching other types of shows through bans and cencorship...... you my drift???:rollseyes


Eh? You cant tailor censorship to suit you needs either Trumble. It goes both ways.

I want the following to be uncensored then since Bans are soo bad, like you said

1. Teletubbies, instead of being a bunch of naked aliens, there will now be a bunch of naked human actors!
2. In the Lion King, I want Simba to viciously tear apart zebras so that children can know what the CIrcle of Life REALLY means!
3. Ratings on movies should be taken off since 10 year olds are completely capable of viewing possibly pornographic or explicit material!

Your new world without censorship kinda sounds scary! :skeleton:

AntiKarateKid said:

Hi,

Riot as in signs and protests and such, not people smashing windows and etc. I should have made that pert clearer.

I disagree with your "joke" part. God is not a human. People have died for their religion and sacrificed everything. From a theistic perspective, respect towards God is essential and dismissing it in the name of humor is repugnant to many.

Tell me, if you go to an extremely important job interview that you really need to ace, are you gonna put your arm ont he table and crack jokes about the interviewer?

So when you meet God after your death and your life is being examined, you are comfortable with making jokes about what guidance he sent you? Crack a joke about God or his prophets to his face and let's see what he thinks about your devotion.


As an agnostic, this should be a non issue because you have not even chosen a faith. Therefore your comment about "god taking a joke" is supported only by your own opnionion and not any divine authority.

Click to expand...

As You say that I am on the wrong path, most of the world thinks you are on the wrong path. Doesn't that make you wonder? Of course not, you have faith. Guess what? So do I. It is just different than yours.

But still, if there is a god, she has to have a sense of humor. After all, she created us.

Wilma_Hum said:

As You say that I am on the wrong path, most of the world thinks you are on the wrong path. Doesn't that make you wonder? Of course not, you have faith. Guess what? So do I. It is just different than yours.

But still, if there is a god, she has to have a sense of humor. After all, she created us.

Click to expand...

Peace Wilma,

In no part of my post did I assert to you that you were on the wrong path. it is part of my religion to believe that but I have not shoved it in your face. I notice that there has been an air of aggression from you towards every one of my posts, which is regrettable. And I apologize for any offense I may have given with my previous posts or any in the future! It is unIslamic of me to be rude, especially to one who is seeking the truth such as yourself.

My faith is based upon reason, a critical understanding of scripture, and a desire for truth. Islam has stood head above shoulders from the other faiths and ideologies.

Enough about me though, you are completely entitled to your opinion. But all you did is reassert your opening claim about God "having to have" a sense of humor, or what you yourself consider to be a sense of humor. You have only your opinion backing you.

Dont you think that some things are too sacred to make fun of? Or that there are other types of humor? God does not need to accept a joke about religion to be qualified as having a sense of humor.


Before I forget though, the number of adherents to Islam, in the end means nothing. THough it is the fastest growing and second largest religion which, in fact DOES make me think. It has the least number of sects, which does make me wonder. It even has the same book used by the sects. Cool huh?

“Islam began as something strange and will revert to being strange as it began, so give glad tidings to the strangers.” - hadith of the Prophet pbuh