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What is sarcasm and is it ever compatible with being Christian??

This is from the net;

"Sarcasm is an ironic or satirical remark tempered by humor. Mainly, people use it to say the opposite of what's true to make someone look or feel foolish. For example, let's say you see someone struggling to open a door and you ask them, "Do you want help?" If they reply by saying, "No thanks."
 
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I try not to use it to make others feel foolish.
But I might use it to express how ridiculous I find someone else's point of view.
It's a fine line. I'm not putting others' down intentionally, but I want to express how I feel about their post.
 
It's not ideal and probably immature. Like the eye rolling teenager I guess.
But occasionally I want to escape the goody goody polite vibe. That doesn't feel authentic to me. And neither is sarcasm authentic, I hear you say. Fair point I guess.
 
Ok here is an example of my humour. I just posted on the thread. "Why did you choose your avatar?".

"was looking for someone more handsome than my real face. And I finally found one!"
 
That's not poking fun at anyone other than myself. Much of my humour is self deprecation. Which is not everyone's cup of tea I admit.
 
I'm trying to imagine Jesus talking to his apostles.
Would he always talk politely to them? With no humour? Would he be so straight?
After drinking wine and relaxing with them?
He might even be sarcastic?
"Hey Judas. You wouldn't betray me, would you?"
We might have a romantic notion of how Jesus and his apostles behaved and communicated.
 
Ok but I will admit that sometimes I use too much sarcasm. That upsets people. So I will be careful. Where possible I will use direct communication. Some may find this confrontational. I do try to be respectful so I don't see a problem with that
 
Inherently it says a thing that is opposite to what it means, so it is confusing, and that's a useful technique in communication because people tend to understand things better when they have to think heavily to work it out. On the other hand, if they can't be bothered working it out, they'll write it off as folly in their ignorance.

When you can be straightforward in a kind way, it is far more respectful in communication and I think most people prefer that if they are being serious. I think sarcasm can be done in a way that isn't disrespectful or self-deprecating though, and sometimes it adds humour.
 
Serving Zion said:
Inherently it says a thing that is opposite to what it means, so it is confusing, and that's a useful technique in communication because people tend to understand things better when they have to think heavily to work it out. On the other hand, if they can't be bothered working it out, they'll write it off as folly in their ignorance.

When you can be straightforward in a kind way, it is far more respectful in communication and I think most people prefer that if they are being serious. I think sarcasm can be done in a way that isn't disrespectful or self-deprecating though, and sometimes it adds humour.
Click to expand...

Yes. Christian sarcasm can be an effective way of making a point.
 
humble soul said:
I'm trying to imagine how Christian sarcasm is unique . Or what it is exactly.
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It’s a remark motivated by a loving desire to bring about a godly or moral change in attitude.


My mom would say... I’m not being sarcastic, I’m being facetious.





JLB
 
JLB said:
Yes. Christian sarcasm can be an effective way of making a point.
Click to expand...


Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:
Acts 17:22-23
 
humble soul said:
That's not poking fun at anyone other than myself. Much of my humour is self deprecation. Which is not everyone's cup of tea I admit.
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If you're looking for honesty I sometimes think you conflate humor with sarcasm. It makes it very difficult for anyone else to know the difference when you use it. It's not a very fair tactic, especially in written word because one can't see your expressions or hear the inflections in your voice. I have also noticed on more than one occasion that when someone replies to you with a little sarcastic humor you don't seem to take it very well but tend to take it personally. Just my observation for what it's worth.
 
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