Stupid People, Suffering, and Comedy: God’s Gifts to the World

If it wasn’t for the stupidity that plagues humanity, comedy wouldn’t exist. We wouldn’t have a reason to laugh without stupid people. In essence, we must thank God for the stupid humans. I often do. It is also true that without suffering we would not have anything to be grateful for. Between stupidity and suffering, we find ways to make light of situations that are heavy and grim. We extend grace to the stupid and for the sufferings of humankind, and then we laugh at it. These are God’s gifts to us: Stupid People, Suffering, and Comedy.

Humor and humility go hand in hand. Those of us who have made errors in our existence knows all too well that when you can laugh about a big mistake you made, that’s when you have truly forgiven yourself. It’s the ability to laugh at life that keeps us curious to explore more of it. We are all, at some time or another, stupid people suffering from existence.

But the thing that is so remarkable about this well-known fact—that there are stupid people on this planet—is that we aren’t allowed to talk about it. Suffering is serious and anyone that laughs about the reality of suffering is clearly a cold-hearted bigot. Comedy is, and always has been, the prime target of censorship. But censorship doesn’t stop stupidity, nor does it end suffering. In fact, comedy dulls the pain of both stupidity and suffering.

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Comedy first evolved as a weapon against ruling authorities in ancient Greece. Aristotle and other Greek philosophers used comedy to hold a mirror up to society to reflect its follies and vices. The goal of comedy, then, was to mend societal flaws. Political satire evolved from its original roots and from there to now, we have seen just how powerful comedy is in the political world. In fact, we know that many sitting Presidents abhorred comedians. Laughter steals power away from those who hold tightly to it. Former President Donald J. Trump seemingly took issue with comedic performances of Saturday Night Live. It seems that many people do not like a mirror held so closely to reflect the ills of society that they may be responsible for. I imagine Biden has all forms of comedy banned in the White House and mirrors too.

Comedy addresses social issues, political issues, and religious issues. George Carlin and Bill Maher were widely known for their religious and political satire and an effective mirror reflection. But now, comedians like Dave Chappelle and Joe Rogan face mobs of angry and offended people who demand they turn in their microphones and stop making people laugh—because it hurts their feelings.

C.S. Lewis once wrote that the purest laughter on earth dwells in the kingdom of joy. Lewis also wrote that “Above all else, the devil cannot stand to be mocked.” The Screwtape Letters were no doubt, a testament to the power of humor and humility, which are so strong, that it makes the Devil retreat. G.K Chesterton said that joy is a gigantic secret to the Christian. He also said, “It is the test of a good religion whether you can joke about it.” He pointed out that those who are secure in their beliefs have no fear of mockery.

Humor, it would seem, is a gift endowed by God to humankind. Psalm 126 says, “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with shouts of joy.” Yet everywhere you turn today, there is another outlandish edict presented, with decrees stating that nothing should be funny, and no one should be mocked. With no appreciation for the funny things in life, we are turning into grumpy asshats that take life far too seriously.

Humor is also one of the greatest healing agents available to humankind. Take Pete Davidson, for example. His father died in the 9/11 attacks in New York in 2001. In his stand-up special “SMD” he takes that tragedy and turns it into something to laugh at. Rather than keeping that tragedy concealed internally, he found a raw way to filter out the frustration of that loss and turn it into something everyone could laugh at (no matter how uncomfortable they may have felt about doing so).

The thing is, when we can laugh at tragedy, we remove the power it has over us. We break tragedy free from the way it controls us, and we release it. Laughter carries this release the furthest from us. It is laughter that helps us distance ourselves from the suffering that we have endured. Charlie Chaplin once said, “In order to truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain and play with it.”

Jokes are also a weapon that defeats evil. Christians have known this for millennia. Easter represents the day the devil was defeated. In a Divine practical joke, Jesus was crucified, and died, alas! The devil defeated the Son of God. But plot twist! Jesus has risen! And he broke down the doors of hell. From the crucifix to the comedy club, Jesus is our first Biblical comedian. So why are more and more devout Christians rejecting the greatest weapon known to humanity? Does it have anything to do with insecurity of beliefs?

Comedy has a beautiful power entangled in its presentation. It’s a celebration of creative energy. Not only that, but comedy testifies to physical vitality, a delight for life, and the will to live. Despite all the reasons one would have to give up on life and cease to exist, comedy steps in and transforms the mundane into something merry and wonderful. Comedy heals. Laughter is medicine. Free medicine.

Perhaps that is where the problem arises? Laughter is free. Sure, you may have to pay a ticket price for admission to the comedy club, or you may have to pay your Netflix monthly bill, but the reward of comedy is that it is free. No one can tax your laughter. There is no regulation for laughter. You don’t need a prescription for laughter. Is that why comedy is constantly on the attack? Does comedy threaten the revenue streams of big business, big pharma, and big government? Does comedy reveal the fragile egos of CEOs, elitist snobs, and political pomposity? Perhaps.

With Lent season approaching, let us laugh at Lucifer and mock evil. Let us disarm and disempower those who cling tightly to ideas of controlling and condemning comedy. Free yourself from the seriousness of life by laughing at it. Forgive yourself for the mistakes you made by making fun of your own stupidity and suffering. Let us laugh and love forever in life.