Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Blasphemy as humor

I have always had a propensity towards (mildly) blasphemous humor. Or at least for as long as I can remember. Also, I say mildly, but others disagree. But the point is, I find comedic blasphemy really funny. I hope that doesn't sound bad. Maybe I can give some examples. The Onion has some great blasphemous stories, which range from hilarious to too disrespectful even for me. Two of my favorites are God Answers Prayers of Paralyzed Little Boy and Christ Converts to Islam. I love 'em! Also, I just purchased a great book entitled The Mormon Tabernacle Enquirer which is basically a mormon Onion, and needless to say it has some great articles. You know it's good with headlines like "Provo Man Votes Democrat 'Just To See What It Feels Like'," "Relief Society Sister Makes Declarative Statement," and "Hofmann Forges Letters from Self." Also, it has little sidebars that answer questions such as "What are we bringing to our home teaching families?" The still-beating hearts of the last family that stood us up. Do I just have a messed-up sense of humor? Like I said, there are things that cross the line for me, a number of Onion articles being at the top of the list. But isn't it good to be able to poke fun at the quirks and weirdnesses of a religion you love? Should I repent for thinking of writing a parody of Sheryl Crow's "I Can't Cry Any More" about Joseph Smith called "I Can't Scry Any More"? Let me know what you think.

7 comments:

  1. I think it's unhealthy not to be able to laugh at our own quirks. Mormons are weird. Anyone who says differently is very sick. As long as you poke fun at culture and not gospel, what's the harm?

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  2. But if I poke fun at the gospel sometimes too?

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  3. scry: divine by gazing into crystals

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  4. .

    Here's random for you:

    You left a comment on AML's blog about a random bit of reading. I followed the link here. Happened across this post. I am, right this moment, listening to the Sheryl Crow album that song appears on. I'll be there in a moment.

    But yes, it's a great idea. Did you ever write it?

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  5. Th. Haha wow, that is an amazing coincidence upon a coincidence, I love it!

    And I was about to tell you that I never did get around to writing it, because I was sure I hadn't, but then I went back and looked and I found a beginning to it on my computer. So here it is, the first few lines. Hope you enjoy!

    Found a stone,
    started peepin'.
    late at night,
    while others sleepin', I was diggin'.
    but I can't scry anymore.
    since the vision,
    been acting better.
    following laws,
    to the letter

    ...and then it trickles off. Feel free to pick up the torch!

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