# Are 'Zombie Jesus' jokes offensive? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 8, 2012, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156 "2012-04-08T05:42:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/21 "2012-04-08T14:02:24Z")
SSSOULSS it just had too. ---
**Author:** ![akennett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee59a6/32.png) [@akennett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akennett)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/22 "2012-04-08T15:14:46Z")
If Christians find it offensive that people make jokes about their ridiculous beliefs, then they ought to consider keeping their ridiculous beliefs to themselves. It wouldn’t be nearly as tempting to make Zombie Jesus jokes if the whole crazy story weren’t so predominant in our culture. On facebook, for instance, I’ve seen an equal number of “He is risen” and “Zombie Jesus” posts. We’re heading out shortly, and I’ll bet I hear more celebratory phrases than denigrating ones. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/23 "2012-04-08T15:24:08Z")
> [@](#): > > Are ‘Zombie Jesus’ jokes offensive? Yes. So what? ---
**Author:** ![Batfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Batfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batfish)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/24 "2012-04-08T15:27:45Z")
\*\*Are ‘Zombie Jesus’ jokes offensive? \*\* God, I hope so. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/25 "2012-04-08T15:39:18Z")
Y’know, akennett, even Der Trihs was able to keep it light in this thread. So far, despites the OP’s assumption that it would be “Christians” who would be offended by such jokes, several Christians have posted that they don’t have a problem with them while only you have felt the need to post querulously. Don’t take it so seriously. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/26 "2012-04-08T17:03:09Z")
> [@akennett](#): > > We’re heading out shortly, and I’ll bet I hear more celebratory phrases than denigrating ones. Imagine that, most people are not douchebags. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/27 "2012-04-08T17:18:46Z")
I personally don’t find them offensive, but being offended is a individual thing and realize that it may have a high probability of being taken offensive by some people, not wishing to offend I would most likely not share such a joke. ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/28 "2012-04-08T17:42:23Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Which is also why the Second Coming didn’t happen right away like the believers of the time expected. Crosses and holy words drive off vampires, and that makes it really hard for him; every time he tries to come back someone yells “praise Jesus” and waves a cross at him, sending him away again. And bursting into flame upon entering a church is just plain embarrassing. This one is new to me - nicely played. Zombie Jesus was funny enough the first time, over time it gets a little trite and stale. I can easily ignore it. Note I also ignore the Facebook glurge as well, and I just got back from services where I sang the Hallelujah chorus.d ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/29 "2012-04-08T18:04:37Z")
I don’t see where this has actually turned into a debate. Off to IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/30 "2012-04-08T18:54:22Z")
> [@ITR\_champion](#): > > In any case, the resurrected Jesus was not a zombie; he was a reverse vampire. He wanted everyone else to drink _his_ blood. Actually, I think that’s an S&M thing. Gives a whole new meaning to the Second Coming. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/31 "2012-04-09T02:12:48Z")
Doesn’t bother me at all. And, dumb as it is, I still giggle a bit when I hear or read it, just like I do with “bearded sky pixie.” ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/32 "2012-04-09T18:29:21Z")
Yes, it’s offensive, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be told. It’s just like any number of other offensive jokes about dead babies or sexist or ethnic jokes, one should be aware of his audience before telling it. I think it also matters what the person’s intentions are behind the joke. For instance, one can tell a joke about one sex or the other that’s pointing out how silly some stereotype is, or it can be intended to just straight up belittle them and specifically aim to offend those people. Personally, as a Christian, it doesn’t bother me at all, as I can find some of them amusing when there’s some cleverness behind it, I actually quite enjoy off-color humor even if it is directed at me or a group I belong to, or I just roll my eyes when someone is just parrotting an old one or deliberately trying to offend. However, my opinion of the person telling the joke will probably reflect the intention behind it, if it doesn’t already. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/33 "2012-04-09T18:44:11Z")
So are there any _funny_ ‘zombie Jesus’ jokes? If so, please share! ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/34 "2012-04-09T18:48:43Z")
> [@ITR\_champion](#): > > I find them not so much offensive as merely lame. > > In any case, the resurrected Jesus was not a zombie; he was a reverse vampire. He wanted everyone else to drink _his_ blood. I’m sorry, this is wrong. Jesus was a [lich](http://simplexion.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/jesuslich.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/35 "2012-04-09T19:02:31Z")
Context is somewhat important. I’m generally not offended, nor amused, by zombie Jesus jokes. But if someone were to burst one out during the Easter sunrise\* service at church I’d be a bit annoyed. \*hypothetically, if I could drag my butt (and my family) out of bed at such an ungodly hour. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/36 "2012-04-09T22:10:38Z")
I don’t do facebook - what does a ‘zombie Jesus’ joke look like? Because if it’s just a random shout of ‘Zombie Jesus!’, that’s not a joke, that’s just a translation of the circumstances from the religious belief to common parlance. Basically, it’s a _nice_ way of saying, “You know, your Jesus thing? It’s pretty dumb when you think about it. It’s like voodoo!” Like that, but couched in gentle fun. Which pretty much explains why religious people can get pissy about it. Of course, it could be worse. I get smacked in the face with religious stuff all the time around Easter. Personally I prefer to just make the occasional light remark that it’s a _pagan_ holiday, people (eggs and chicks bunnies in spring - get it? It’s about sex!), but I can see how some might go the zombie Jesus route. It’s a relatively polite way of letting of some steam, as opposed to going into rants about how disgusting human sacrifice is in a modern religion, or whatever. And yeah, sure, I could just suppress my speech entirely like I usually do, but when I don’t, be glad that at least it’s kept casual. ---
**Author:** ![hoopified](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/cab0a1/32.png) [@hoopified](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hoopified)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/37 "2012-04-09T23:28:32Z")
> [@ITR\_champion](#): > > I find them not so much offensive as merely lame. > > In any case, the resurrected Jesus was not a zombie; he was a reverse vampire. He wanted everyone else to drink _his_ blood. Yeah, that one was funny. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![hoopified](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/cab0a1/32.png) [@hoopified](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hoopified)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/38 "2012-04-09T23:31:10Z")
I’m not terribly offended either. What’s really offensive is that when one makes a Zombie Jesus jokes, scores of others chime in with how terribly hilarious it is. When those jokes are rather pedestrian and boring. As opposed to the vampire one above. That’s a new spin that made me laugh. ---
**Author:** ![hoopified](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/cab0a1/32.png) [@hoopified](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hoopified)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/39 "2012-04-09T23:32:38Z")
But it’s also true that Christians are generally fairly patient with these inane jokes. I don’t see atheists lining up to make jokes about mohammed. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156/40 "2012-04-09T23:36:03Z")
> [@hoopified](#): > > But it’s also true that Christians are generally fairly patient with these inane jokes. I don’t see atheists lining up to make jokes about mohammed. Atheists in the states don’t see muslims lining up to saturate the culture with Mohammed references, so that might be a factor, at least around here. Plus I don’t recall hearing that Mohammed rose from the grave to walk among the living sporting the unhealed wounds from which he died. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-zombie-jesus-jokes-offensive/618156.md?page=3)