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Mennonite Mirth
By Jep Hostetler
Recently I heard of a speaker who presented a lecture to a Mennonite congregation. No one seemed to laugh out loud, or even giggle at some of the numerous humor stories. Following the presentation a gentleman came up to the speaker and commented, "that was a really good speech. It was so funny I almost laughed out loud!" Apparently his upbringing had limited his range of humor expression, and laughing out loud was not on the list of acceptable behaviors.
Humor is an intriguing subject. If one were to surmise the "humor index" of Mennonites in general, what would one find? Are we people who are given to laughter, celebration, playfulness or festivity? Do we express a sense of exuberance and joy? Or are we the people of solemnity and seriousness? Have the duties of upholding justice, promoting peacemaking and teaching discipleship, with the intrinsic weightiness of each activity, robbed us of the ability to lighten up?
We come from a wide spectrum of backgrounds, in terms of how much permission each one of us had, to participate in humor events during our formative years. The ingredients that go into making one a person of humor are quite complex and varied. However, there are three things that contribute to individual "sense of humor" or light-heartedness.
First, the setting in which one was raised has a lot to do with his/her ability to participate in humor events. On an imaginary continuum, one may have come from a home where strict rules and even abusive parenting may have stymied any attempts to laugh or to be lighthearted. This person will have little sense that childhood was fun. On the other end of the continuum we have families in which humor, playfulness, and joy were woven into the very fabric of the children, and they develop a strong sense of humor. People from this kind of family remember childhood with a great deal of fondness.
Genetic makeup may be considered the second element that contributes to one's sense of humor. Recent research suggests that as much as 50% of our make-up is genetically predisposed when it comes to lightheartedness or dourness. As an example, one could give lighthearted people a great deal of grief or sorrow, and within about six months they will be back to there usual self. They are buoyant and flexible. On the other hand, give a sour or dour person a great deal of fun, pleasure and adventure and within about six months he/she will be sour once again. This person tends to be less buoyant and less flexible than the person with a stronger sense of humor.
Third, it is clear that one's religious or moral teaching has something to do with how well one can participate in mirthful events. In our own history, in the early part of this century, there were Mennonite writings that clearly directed one to be solemn. As just one example, John M. Brenneman, in the book Plain Teachings, has a short chapter on "Christians ought not laugh aloud." Brenneman asserts that there are abundant Biblical edicts against laughter, including the lack of any evidence that Jesus laughed. The chapter heading has a subtitle, "I said of laughter it is mad." Ecclesiastes.2:2. Ecclesiastes. 7 is used to suggest that we must squelch laughter. Verse 3 states that "For as the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool". Verse 6 asserts that "A fool lifts up his voice with laughter, but a wise man doth scarce smile a little". Luke 6:25 says, "Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep." This is just one example of some of the writings against levity.
In future columns I will be looking specifically at our own Mennonite heritage in an attempt to discover factors that contribute to "Mennonite humor." 1) I will be developing a bibliography of material that has been written by Mennonite or Mennonite-related writers regarding humor, festivity and laughter. 2) I will have an on-going segment of the column that will accept, promote, screen and print examples of Mennonite humor. This material can include jokes by and about Mennonite-type folks. If time and space permits, I may develop 3) a section related to several current or historical individuals to see what shape their sense of humor takes. (A good example here would be J.C. Wenger and his many humorous stories).
In addition, I intend to develop material that relates to humor work, and how this mode of ministry can be used by all types of individuals, regardless of ones background, genetic make-up or upbringing.The bibliographical material will be helpful in pointing us toward all types of media, from the now defunct Mennonite Distorter, and writers like Ivan Emke, to internet sites like Mennonot as well as material in the Mennonite Weekly Review, Gospel Herald, The Mennonite and related publications. The joke or humor section will help us to look at ourselves in a more light-hearted manner.
I look forward to developing this column over the next period of time. Please feel free to offer material and to send your ideas for consideration in developing this humor theme.
In the mean time, you probably did not know that Noah's wife was Joan of Arc, or that the epistles were the wives of the apostles, or that Solomon had over 700 porcupines. I didn't think so.
Jep Hostetler, Ph.D., Columbus, Ohio, is a humor consultant. He has taught in the Ohio State University Medical School, and is currently Executive Secretary of the Mennonite Medical Association.
Mennonite Historical Bulletin, October 1998