by Nancy Drake 30 Replies latest jw friends
I think that telling bad jokes is almost a pre-requisite to giving a public talk.
My previous hall, almost every eldub would slip in a groaner.
My dad did too, and he also would throw one in his WT comments now and then. It's quite embarrassing, isn't it.
Kwin
Blondie!!!!
From the newest TMS guidebook:Wow, they really don't want anyone to have any fun, do they? When did this TMS guidebook come out? I wonder if my dad has changed his ways? Thanks for the info...you are just a JW encyclopedia aren't ya, Blondie?***
be study 31 p. 193 Respect Shown to Others ***Resist the temptation to make witty remarks just for the sake of making the audience laugh. This detracts from the dignity of the Bible?s message. True, we should take delight in our service to God. There may even be facets of our assigned material that are somewhat humorous. Yet, to reduce serious matters to laughing matters betrays a lack of respect for the audience and for God.
**Wow, they really don't want anyone to have any fun, do they?
Only the "joy" of preaching..........and talking about your good "calls"........
Other than that, pretty much---no.
Annie
ND, not necessarily, I can remember someone on JWD pointing out a similar quote in the old guidebook and I saved it. I will agree that too many brothers should stick to the material and leave the jokes to George Carlin, Chris Rock, or Whoopi Goldberg.
I can remember one school overseer saying, "Now where do you find the jokes Jesus told in the Sermon on the Mount?"
ND, not necessarily, I can remember someone on JWD pointing out a similar quote in the old guidebook and I saved it. I will agree that too many brothers should stick to the material and leave the jokes to George Carlin, Chris Rock, or Whoopi Goldberg.
Either way, all the information that you supply to this board is always, always appreciated!! I guess I never told you that before.
My dad's jokes certainly left something to be desired...but for the GB to tell him that he doesn't have the liberty to do that sorta makes me pissed.
Nancy Drake I feel for ya my X used to do the same thing only the jokes weren't always corny just jokes to get the attention more on him than the material given. He always did that and it made me uncomfortable too. I knew he just wanted attention brought to himself and it made the material of the talk thus god's word and the bible not as important as him.
From the newest TMS guidebook:***
be study 31 p. 193 Respect Shown to Others ***Resist the temptation to make witty remarks just for the sake of making the audience laugh. This detracts from the dignity of the Bible?s message. True, we should take delight in our service to God. There may even be facets of our assigned material that are somewhat humorous. Yet, to reduce serious matters to laughing matters betrays a lack of respect for the audience and for God.
I agree with what Blondie quoted and many of the old timers I noticed were put off by his jokes. He even got counseled from the platform for doing it. One time he even used a b-day card as a joke prop!!! That so didn't go over well, LOL It was always embarrassing to me!
Kate
I knew he just wanted attention brought to himself and it made the material of the talk thus god's word and the bible not as important as him.
Thanks, Kate...
I think that's why he did it, too. Although I know that others liked to add humor to their talks to reach the audience. I thought it was cool sometimes...but not the way my dad did it.
Nancy... you must embrace your inner corn? become one with your corn.
"Now where do you find the jokes Jesus told in the Sermon on the Mount?"
Jesus: "Evening folks, glad you could be here today. I just flew in from Nazareth -- and boy are my arms tired!"
Peter: Bu-dum-bump!
Jesus: "But seriously, ..."
(I was once counseled from the platform that my opening illustration took too long and seemed to serve more to entertain than to instruct. I had to admit, he was right. I was just having fun with the talk. Apparently, that's not good.)
Dave
I think on some levels, people tend to use humour in otherwise serious public speaking for a couple of reasons... hearing people laugh at your corny jokes can put you at ease when you are extremely nervous in front of an audience... also it could be an attempt to arouse interest in what they subconsciously consider to be dull coma-inducing subject matter.
For the more sadistic among public speakers, it's because they have a captive audience and enjoy torturing their audience with groaners.
