Wouldn’t it be nice to embrace spiritual moments where instead of having a negative reaction, we would just step back and laugh it off? When discussing anything when it comes to certain moments in our lives, I do believe it’s spiritual (everything is spiritual, right Rob Bell?).
It would be safe to assume then – when stepping into moments that might have a negative effect in our lives – carrying the momentum of lightness and openness would be the healthier path.
Especially when it comes to current or past religious settings (I.e., sharing our spirituality as a community). Just think of all the drama and trauma (spitting flows over here) we could have avoided throughout the history of religion if we just welcomed a little comedy?
From the Nicene Creed to the Inquisitions, to the current war of Russia and Ukraine (I mean holy shiticus, does Putin even know how to chuckle?), how many lives could have been saved and be saved?
Yes, I understand jokes and laughter can be cruel and bring about division if presented in a certain way. Context is very important when it comes to comedy, and no one should be dehumanized for the benefit of a few.
On the other hand, exposing the dominating and destructive powers of our lives by a joke or two can be a very liberating, joyful, and healing act.
Honestly, there are extremes on all levels of social engagement as we can see in our current political divide. Any who, back to the whole religion thing. What better example of exposing the rulers and powers in dark places then the example of Jesus and the Pharisees, right?
By seeing his sarcastic manner of using the woe to you as more of comedic disposition, we might come to a better experience when coming up against damaging religious practices of our day.
We need to stop taking our traditions so damn serious and start detaching from our beliefs in these systems. Christianity, progressivism, conservatism, Republican party, Democratic party, CDC, America – they are all religions, used as tools of division instead of a vantage point to unite. Maybe it’s time to admit we are all religious in our own certain way, for us to become more facetious with each other? Is this just to unrealistic of a request?
Yes, beliefs and worldviews are important, but they aren’t the compass to measure our relationships. Are we all just bound to our own toxic religiosity? Like comedian Erik Passoja said,
Religion is like tequila. It makes some people happy, makes some people violent.
Are we hopelessly dead in the water just drowning in our floatless denial of being more alike than not (wow, how poetic)? Is the abyss just to deep, we are unable to see the resurrection at the end of the black hole (oh yeah, threw my Christianese in there, what what)?
Never! We are always just one spiritual awaking rock throw away from discovering a refreshed path of hope and newness. This reminds me of a story from a long time ago in a religion far, far away…
Spanking The Monkey and Mormonism
It is a short story, kind of strange if you never have been brought up in this specific religious setting for sure, but it’s my story nonetheless…and its hilarious. Little back story to this story, ok? I was raised Mormon. The Mormon religion has numerous amounts of traditions/commandments, to say the least. From Temple recommends, Bishop interviews, to baptisms for the dead, oh my!
It never jived with me and my soul on countless of occasions so I never could become a “member” (such a weird word to use, isn’t it?). There, backstory complete. So, my pops (love him to death) would do monthly “interviews” with my siblings and I which was part of the tradition of the LDS church at the time, I believe. We would talk about several things, and for the most part it was solid one on one time with my dad.
There was just one question/discussion that would come up that I would dread. Now, my dad would ask this specific question because it was part of The Law of Chasity in the LDS church, so he was just doing his duty to his church. The question, you ask? Any guesses? I’ll wait…Hello? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Ok fine, the question was: Do you masturbate? Eek! Talk about an awkward moment for a 12-year-old starting puberty, huh? Look, I am all for sex talks in the right context.
Its healthy to have these conversations when the time is right. But when you try to integrate your religion – where if you break the Law of Chasity, dire consequences will arise – nothing could be closer to religious trauma. My pops thought he was doing the right thing regardless of the mental ratifications. All good, we experience things in life (for better or worse) that aren’t always healthy. I get it now as a parent myself, as I don’t always make the right decisions.
The funny thing about it (or not, depending on your perspective) is I would never give him my honest answer because let’s face it, I am not trying to get in trouble for my natural sexual growth and exploration. The other thing that cracks me up to this day, is how my dad asked the question. He didn’t just say: Son, do you masturbate?
No, my dad pulled a fast one on me (when he first asked me the question) and presented the question like so: “Son, do you spank the monkey?” I mean come on! He asked while giggling. My dad is a pretty mellow and most of the time a serious guy, so it was definitely a curve ball, and it did make me laugh. If it wasn’t for the unhealthy religious consequences, it would have been an honest chat between father and son but alas, terrible religion wins the day.
Fortunately, I still remember that dad and son interview solely by the “spank the monkey” question from my dad. It really has helped me get past and let go of the baggage the bad religion brought in that particular circumstance and helped move me into a more thankful space.
I guess finding the humor (dare I say Grace?) in all types of religious situations can save you from the permanent damage it can bring. Yes, some are worse off than others, but his doesn’t mean it’s hopeless for humor to never be ingested. Let us embrace our religious nature and joyfully sip that tequila SONrise. Oh yeah, I dropped another Jesus reference…sue me!
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