ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 13, 1997 TAG: 9704110031
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: the back pew
SOURCE: CODY LOWE
"Holy Humor." To some religious folks, that's an oxymoron. To them, religious practice is always too serious a matter to be accompanied by a laugh.
Fortunately, that isn't true of everyone.
For more than a decade now, the Fellowship of Merry Christians has been sharing laughter with each other and the world through their "Joyful Newsletter." Last year, some of the highlights of the previous decade's newsletters were published in a book called, appropriately enough, "Holy Humor," by the same folks who print Guideposts magazine.
The Women's Circles of Covenant Presbyterian Church presented me a copy recently after I spoke to one of their meetings, and it is a delight.
The collection included material old and new, Protestant and Catholic, wistful and knee-slapping, laugh-out-loud funny. What it does not include is anything that could even remotely be considered dirty or off-color.
In this season of religious celebration, it seems appropriate to share the joy, so here are some excerpts.
Pounding the preacher
A joke my Grandma Lowe shared with me years ago involved the little boy who promised to give his pastor lots of money when he grew up, "because my daddy says you're one of the poorest preachers we've ever had."
Speaking of pastors, there was this quote from the Rev. William Willimon: ``There's always a heated debate whenever Methodists do anything. As one commentator observed, `Methodist preachers are like manure. Spread them around the state and they do a lot of good. Pile them together in one place and they get to stinking.'''
Just about everybody has seen those bumper stickers that read, "In case of rapture, this car will be unattended." Well, the Rev. Jon Erickson, a Lutheran pastor in Remer, Minn., found the perfect retort to that one: "In case of rapture, I claim your car."
A little acid is sometimes a potent ingredient in "holy humor," and Mark Twain was a master of it. For instance: "When I reflect on the number of disagreeable people who I know have gone on to a better world, I am moved to lead a different life."
Religiously incorrect
Politics mixed with a little religion can be funny, too.
One of my favorites from a few years ago involved Presidential candidates George Bush, BIll Clinton and Ross Perot.
The three died and went to heaven to stand before God's throne in judgment. After explaining who he was, Bush was invited to sit at God's right hand. Clinton, after his explanation, was invited to the seat on God's left. Then God asked the third man to identify himself.
"I'm Ross Perot and I believe you're sitting in my seat."
One of my - and the country's - favorite humorists of all time was Will Rogers.
His wit never hurt, but it did sometimes cut deep. I can't help but think he would have used this line again today on those who would change the Constitution with an amendment on religious expression in public places, such as schools:
"When Congress gets the Constitution all fixed up, they are going to start on the Ten Commandments, just as soon as they can find someone in Washington who has read them."
Finally, perhaps the most touching passage in "Holy Humor" was written by Bill Cosby, long before the most painful experience of his life - the murder of his son.
"Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it."
LENGTH: Medium: 73 linesby CNB