funny feeling or feeling funny?

How do you do?

Thanks for dropping by.

I have been re-reading a wonderful book: The Naked Jape by Jimmy Carr and Lucy Greeves. (link to buy the book) It’s all about the origins of jokes and humour and different aspects of jokes and joking. I love it, not just because of the analysis but also because of the collection of jokes that adorn each page. There are some that may offend, you have been warned, but I find that the book gives me an appreciation of the craft of the jokewriter and teller as well as enhancing my awareness of humorour situations and circumstances.

One of the things that distinguishes humans from all other created sentient beings is our ability to sense and create humour. I believe that this is part of what it means to be created in the image of God. I firmly believe that God has a sense of humour and that he has shared that ability with us. And I am very glad he has.

In my degree dissertation A Theology of Humour – a serious look at the lighter side of God I explored whether God has a sense of humour and if so what it is like. In my research I came to the conclusion that our experience of God’s sense of humour is often educative. He is trying to show us what we look like in a comic mirror so we can appreciate more of who he is and what our relationship with him should be like.

Since then I have modified my theory. I reckon that God also simply enjoys and finds things amusing for the craic. Just because it is amusing. That’s often why we tell jokes. Laughing is good.

So sit back and enjoy a couple of the jokes from the book that made me LOL. (I confess here that the first few times I encountered that on texts and Facebook I thought it meant ‘lots of love’ and was really touched by how friendly people were being to me!)

“When I was a kid, I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised the Lord doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and asked him to forgive me.” Emo Philips

“Oh, that reminds me, I must buy a stamp.” Jimmy Tarbuck at the Royal Variety Performance

A man goes to a psychiatrist and says, “Doc, my brother’s crazy, he thinks he’s a chicken.’
The doctor says, ‘Why don’t you turn him in?’
The guy says, ‘We would, but we need the eggs.’

Thank you, you’ve been a wonderful audience. Good night! (leaves stage to standing ovation)