# Does God appreciate art or humor? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 26, 2002, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732 "2002-09-26T17:13:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Church\_Key\_Kid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Church\_Key\_Kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Church_Key_Kid)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/1 "2002-09-26T17:13:29Z")
Assume there was a comic strip of God, and in the comic God stubbed his toe on a door and yelled, “Goddammit!” While that may not necessarily be considered humorous or arty in many peoples eyes, quite a few may find it funny. Does God appreciate such humor, even though it is about him and possibly blasphemous? What about art that portrays Hell or any other religous art? Does God appreciate the art for its artistic value to society, or does God shun all art and those humans that appreciate it? ---
**Author:** ![greck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ab992/32.png) [@greck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greck)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/2 "2002-09-26T19:18:49Z")
it just so happens i had god over the house the other day and he told me the best joke… god created adam in his own image adam (it stands to reason) liked art, painted on cave walls and stuff, god created the platypus god created the jellyfish didn’t you see the movie “dogma?” ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/3 "2002-09-26T19:21:50Z")
Seems like he would. Aftre all, isn’t a sense of humor one of the most wonderful things he gave us? What would keep him from enjoying it as well? ---
**Author:** ![kingpengvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/4 "2002-09-26T19:26:49Z")
Too bad he knows every punchline before you can get to it. ---
**Author:** ![Church\_Key\_Kid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Church\_Key\_Kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Church_Key_Kid)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/5 "2002-09-26T19:55:57Z")
Well, I guess what I am really asking is, would it be considered sinful to create something that seemed blasphemous, even if it was art or humorous? ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/6 "2002-09-26T20:41:31Z")
What it really comes down to is, do _you_ think is would be sinful. Personally I wouldn’t, but then, I don’t believe in god, so the concept of sin is largely irrelevant in my philosophy. Nevertheless, if there was a god, I’d be inclined to think it would have a very good sense of humor. ---
**Author:** ![dal\_timgar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@dal\_timgar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dal_timgar)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/7 "2002-09-26T21:04:28Z")
near the beggining of psalms there is a passage that states approximately “the kings of the earth were doing evil and god laughed” we are left to wonder why. Dal Timgar ---
**Author:** ![greck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ab992/32.png) [@greck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greck)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/8 "2002-09-26T22:03:12Z")
dave, Are you talking about like “pisschrist” or something? i can’t imagine the guy that displayed a crucifix in a glass of urine is going to be greeted warmly at the pearly gates but sinful tends to be more defined by religious institutions than the diety him/herself. he really only spoke directly about the laws in the first couple books of the bible exodus, leviticus, and deuteronomy, if memory serves. The laws back then were pretty kooky if you ask me then jesus said something about loving thy neighbor as thyself, but i’m not to that part of the book yet (so don’t spoil the ending for me) I’m certain god has a sense of humor, and is tough enough to take a fair amount of teasing. God is, after all, omnipotent. but i don’t think that gives one free reign to blaspheme. you’re gonna have to check with your local spiritual leader. ---
**Author:** ![lynn73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@lynn73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lynn73)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/9 "2002-09-26T23:20:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by fatdave \* > **Assume there was a comic strip of God, and in the comic God stubbed his toe on a door and yelled, "Goddammit!"** I imagine God does have a sense of humor but it’d be in keeping with His holiness and righteousness IMO. I seriously doubt that He’d consider the above humorous since He commanded not to take His name in vain. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/10 "2002-09-27T00:44:00Z")
Well, if capital-G-God exists as commonly thought of, as a supreme creator, he’d probably be appreciative of every act of genuine creativity by the humans. Of course, this capital-G-God, in some more strict interpretations, is portrayed as not including representational art (orthodox Islam) or instrumental sacred music (some hardline Christian Churches in the US) or dancing, among the legit channels for the creativity. But even within these religious traditions there are works of beauty in art and literature, only in different idioms. As for humor, if this God’s crowning achievement in Earth is _Man_, he’s not taking it all too seriously. Now, as to “art” and “humor” that is designed to be specifically confrontational/provocative for the heck of it… well, then you would not be getting judged on your art, but on your attitude, would you? If you really wanted to make people think, you’d be OK. If you’re just trying to piss people off… ---
**Author:** ![Kalashnikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/2bfe46/32.png) [@Kalashnikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalashnikov)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/11 "2002-09-27T01:03:34Z")
Of course, for many religious people, trying to making them think automaticaly pisses them off. I was raised as a Catholic though, and Catholics are generally cool about such things. I don’t remember my religious teachers objecting to any jokes. The Jesuits in particular told some that fundies would consider blasphemous. ahh… Jesuit jokes… 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![butter\_pie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aca169/32.png) [@butter\_pie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butter_pie)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/12 "2002-09-27T12:45:42Z")
If he doesn’t, (and he really exists), I am in a heap of trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Racer1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee59a6/32.png) [@Racer1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Racer1)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/13 "2002-09-27T13:05:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jinwicked \* > \*\*If he doesn’t, (and he really exists), I am in a heap of trouble. \*\* You and me both after I wrote [this](http://www.wastednetwork.com/index.php?dir_id=wn_archive&art_id=1035) (Please don’t go there if you’re easily offended). I like to think any supreme being would have a good sense of humour. After all, humour and art makes people happy, and being happy and making others happy is what life is all about, isn’t it? Most of the very religious people I know sometimes joke at their own religion. Humour is a gift, and as long as it is not used to hurt people, I can’t possibly see why anyone (God or mortal) would be against it. ---
**Author:** ![ZombiesAteMyBrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ZombiesAteMyBrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZombiesAteMyBrain)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/14 "2002-09-27T13:36:08Z")
Seriously, Racer - are these 1000 virgins on offer male or female? Can we have a choice? Can I have 1000 big, brawny, hairy guys??? Please!!! Pretty Please!!! ---
**Author:** ![Racer1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee59a6/32.png) [@Racer1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Racer1)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/15 "2002-09-27T13:56:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ZombiesAteMyBrain \* > \*\*Seriously, Racer - are these 1000 virgins on offer male or female? Can we have a choice? > > Can I have 1000 big, brawny, hairy guys??? > > Please!!! > > Pretty Please!!! \*\* Oh yes, absolutely. Now iron my damn work shirts! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/16 "2002-09-27T14:54:54Z")
Nah. It’s pretty obvious from the Pentateuch that God only appreciates the odor of burning animal carcasses. ---
**Author:** ![quixotic78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3ab097/32.png) [@quixotic78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quixotic78)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/17 "2002-09-27T15:06:17Z")
I’ll throw in a voice of dissent here and say that God does _not_ really have much of a sense of humor. Look at Elisha in 2 Kings 2:23-25 (NIV): > [@](#): > > 23 From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some youths came out of the town and jeered at him. “Go on up, you baldhead!” they said. “Go on up, you baldhead!” 24 He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD . Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. 25 And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria. It’s not like God said, “Woah, big guy, calm down! It’s just a joke!” ::shrug:: Carry on then, Quix ---
**Author:** ![quixotic78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3ab097/32.png) [@quixotic78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quixotic78)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/18 "2002-09-27T15:14:14Z")
I’ll throw in a voice of dissent here and say that God does _not_ really have much of a sense of humor. Look at Elisha in 2 Kings 2:23-25 (NIV): > [@](#): > > 23 From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some youths came out of the town and jeered at him. “Go on up, you baldhead!” they said. “Go on up, you baldhead!” 24 He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD . Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. 25 And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria. It’s not like God said, “Woah, big guy, calm down! It’s just a joke!” ::shrug:: Carry on then, Quix ---
**Author:** ![RedNaxela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ad7895/32.png) [@RedNaxela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedNaxela)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/19 "2002-09-27T23:17:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tracer \* > \*\*Nah. > > It’s pretty obvious from the Pentateuch that God only appreciates the odor of burning animal carcasses.\*\* I’d recommend taking a second look, then; it may not be so “pretty obvious” after all. First of all, the same expression (_rei’ach nichoach_, “a pleasing aroma”) is used both for animal offerings (Lev. 1:9, et al) and for meal offerings (ibid. 2:2, and several more times in that chapter). So “animal carcasses” are most certainly unnecessary. Second, there are quite a few other verses in the Pentateuch - not to mention numerous other places in the (Jewish) Bible - that speak of G-d appreciating other things besides sacrifices. Time prevents me from researching this more thoroughly, but here’s one example: “The L-rd will again delight in you… just as he delighted in your fathers, if you obey the L-rd your G-d…” (Deut. 30:9-10). ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2002, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732/20 "2002-09-28T06:07:22Z")
God thinks it is funny how even though keyboards have caps, some people refuse to use them. 😛 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-appreciate-art-or-humor/129732.md?page=2)