Holy Humor Sunday

A Communion of Saints Affirmation of Humor

We believe with the Bible that

“There is a time to weep and a time to laugh.”

We believe with St. John Chrysostom that

“Laughter has been implanted in our souls.”

We believe with Thomas Aquinas that there is a time for “Playful deeds and jokes.”

We believe with Martin Luther that

“You have as much laughter as you have faith.”

We believe with John Calvin that

“We are nowhere forbidden to laugh.”

We believe with Francis De Sales that

“Humor is a foundation for reconciliation.”

We believe with John Wesley that

“A sour religion is the devil’s religion.”

We believe with Søren Kierkegaard that

“Humor is intrinsic to Christianity.”

We believe with Fyodor Dostoevsky that

“If a person laughs well they are a good person.”

We believe with G.K. Chesterton that

“A good joke is the closest thing we have to divine revelation.”

We believe with Dietrich Bonhoeffer that

“Ultimate seriousness is not without a dose of humor.”

We believe with Fulton Sheen that

“The only time laughter is wicked is when it is turned against he who gave it.”

We believe with Flannery O’Conner that

“Christianity is a strangely cheery religion.”

We believe with Elton Trueblood,

“Never trust a theologian without a sense of humor.”

We believe with Charles Schultz that

“Humor is proof that everything is going to be alright with God nevertheless.”

We believe with Krister Stendhal that

“Humor, along with irony, forms a safeguard against idolatry.”

We believe with Eric Gritsch that

“Humor is thus anchored in a self-knowledge that indicates one’s limitations.”

— compiled by the Rev. Chris Anderson with help from the Joyful Noiseletter