Humour Does Not Justify Criticism

Numerous times on Sunday mornings, women, particularly wives and mother-in-laws, are the brunt of jokes spoken by male pastors, and these jokes are increasing in number. Such jokes are not acceptable in the eyes of God. They aren't even acceptable in a secular environment. (Politically speaking, men are not permitted to dishonour and discriminate against women in this way.) Why then are they acceptable in a church? Why haven't godly men spoken up against this? Think of what type of image the pastors are portraying of marriage to the single males in the church. Why do the women sit there and say nothing? Are they afraid? And if so, what kind of church environment are we creating, where women are too intimidated to speak up against this type of prejudice?

The Bible says that husbands are to love their wives just as Christ loved the church and gave up His life for her. Is a husband loving his wife when he tells jokes that dishonour wives and wives' mothers. Are husbands loving their wives when they laugh at these jokes?

"For husbands,

this means love your wives,

just as Christ loved the church.

He gave up His life for her."

Ephesians 5:25 (NLT)

The Bible also says that husbands must give honour to their wives. It isn't an option. Not only that, but husbands are to treat their wives with understanding. Women may be weaker than men, but in God's eyes, women are equal; therefore, a man should consider his wife as his partner, not someone to mock. God continues on to say that if a man does not treat his wife with respect, his prayers will be hindered.

"In the same way,

you husbands must give honour to your wives.

Treat your wife with understanding

as you live together.

She may be weaker than you are,

but she is your equal partner

in God's gift of new life.

Treat her as you should

so your prayers will not be hindered."

1 Peter 3:7 (NLT)

When men tell jokes about women, they are criticizing them. Men may think the humour in the criticism makes the criticism acceptable, but in God's eyes, it doesn't. You can't fool God. Criticizing women in public, especially in church, is an abomination, and a poor testimony of God's love for all people. If a non-Christian woman came into a church service for the first time, and heard one of these female-discriminatory jokes, do you think she would come back? Are pastors really geared for reaching the lost? Or are they just entertaining themselves, using women for humour and negative examples in sermons?