"Humor" that hurts.

Have you noticed that at times, things that are supposedly intended to be humorous are actually hurtful or harmful? Sometimes it seems that the main goal is to be offensive or insulting, and that the "humor" is interjected as an afterthought.

Here's a perfect example of that: an Italian advertisement for Antonio Federici Gelato Italiano. It depicts a pregnant nun eating their product, which is labeled as "immaculately conceived". The same company had a second advertisement showing two priests with their lips separated by mere inches as though about to kiss; the legend on that ad reads, "We believe in salivation".

It's hard for me to imagine that these advertisements were well-intentioned, especially after reading more about the advertising campaign and the other images being used in an article found here. The ad I've placed with this post is rather tame when compared to some of the others, which are inflammatory at best. I personally find these images to be distasteful and destructive. But it's also a good time for me to ask what I do to promote unity within the body of Christ. Do I live out the words of Ephesians 4:3-6 - Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Whatever your faith background, I hope that you will join me in echoing the prayer used to convene the 1983 assembly of the World Council of Churches:

You have called us to be one,
to live in unity and harmony, and yet we are divided:
race from race, faith from faith,
rich from poor, old from young,
neighbor from neighbor.
O Lord, by whose cross
all enmity is brought to an end,
break down the walls that separate us,
tear down the fences of indifference and hatred;
forgive us the sins that divide us,
free us from pride and self-seeking,
overcome our prejudices and fears,
give us courage to open ourselves to others;
by the power of your Spirit,
make us one.
Amen.

---

Please visit The Prayer List and pray with us.