Why I Boycott Babylon Bee

Anyone who knows me will tell you I enjoy comedy. Jesse Duplantis and Kenneth Copeland get me laughing with some of their preaching stories. Worship leader Roy Fields would make a great stand-up comedian with his impersonations of fellow ministers. In my monthly newsletter, I used to publish jokes in a “Holy Humor” column. Nowadays, I usually share a “Friday Funny” on Facebook and Twitter. As Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart does good, like medicine…”

However, Christians should avoid humorous materials that contain profanity and conjure up immoral images. Colossians 3:8 says, “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.” The next verse goes on to say, “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds.” It grieves me to see believers share misleading news stories on their social media pages even if it's meant to be a joke. One source of that is Babylon Bee, a satirical website often compared to The Onion.

A minister I know recently posted on Facebook a Babylon Bee article claiming: “Bernie Sanders Praises China For Eradicating Poverty By Killing All The Poor People.” I wrote a response pointing out this is fake news. My friend removed my comment and added, “I do not care if this site is satirical.” While I appreciate his desire to expose the dangers of socialism, spreading lies about a politician is not the solution. Jesus said it’s the truth that makes us free (John 8:32). It would be better to share writings with documented proof like Rodney Howard-Browne’s latest book “Socialism Under the Microscope.”

In August 2017, Babylon Bee published an article that included the following paragraph…

“Although Joel Osteen took flak over the weekend for closing up his church to flood victims and all but disappearing during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, the megachurch pastor reportedly returned to the city on his luxury yacht ’S.S. Blessed’ to make amends Tuesday by tossing copies of ‘Your Best Life Now’ to stranded flood survivors.”

Many people believed this story and circulated it as if it were true. In her Charisma column “Watchman on the Wall”, Jennifer LeClaire wrote in response: “Can we get some responsibility in journalism, please? I suppose Joel is an easy target at some level since he's a happy guy with a mega church and mega prosperity. But the Bible warns against bearing false witness. This was clearly an assignment from the pit of hell to slander him at a time when we should be focused on helping Texas recover.” I totally agree. Nevertheless, Babylon Bee has continued releasing phony reports about Joel and other ministers that Facebook friends have shared.

I refuse to waste my time reading bogus articles like those published by Babylon Bee. Even though satirical sites usually have disclaimers, not everyone notices them. It’s a bad witness to the world when Christians don’t take time to investigate and pass on fraudulent stories.

“You shall not circulate a false report.” - Exodus 23:1

Pity the Fool

Mr. T

This year Easter and April Fools Day land on the same day. While most Christians today will focus on observing the Resurrection, some of them may also participate in various pranks. According to Wikipedia, “April Fools' Day (sometimes called All Fools' Day) is an annual celebration in some European and Western countries commemorated on April 1 by playing practical jokes and spreading hoaxes…People playing April Fool jokes often expose their prank by shouting ‘April fool’ at the unfortunate victim(s).”

Is it ever appropriate for believers to joke around like that? Perhaps it’s okay with people you know who have a sense of humor. Occasionally, I see pastors make wisecracks from the pulpit but then quickly clarify to their congregations they are teasing. Sometimes when holding the door open for a friend about to walk inside a church, I’ll say, “We’re all full” and after pausing a second add “…of the Holy Ghost.”

A few days ago, I went to a church where coffee was served in the cafeteria. When I asked for a cup, a woman behind the counter said they ran out. I knew she wasn’t telling the truth because there was a full pot of coffee behind her. A couple of seconds later, this woman admitted she was kidding.

On the other hand, Ephesians 5:4 admonishes us not to be involved in “…foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.” The Amplified Bible renders this as “sinful (silly and corrupt) talk.” It also says in Proverbs 26:18-19, “Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, ‘I was only joking!’”

As someone who got teased a lot during my childhood, I purposely avoid saying and doing things that may be humorous to me but hurt others. A fellow missionary and I like to exchange blonde jokes with each other. Once I shared some of those jokes with a blonde-haired woman at church. She didn’t find them funny at all. I haven’t told her any blonde jokes since.

One thing people shouldn’t joke around with is where they will spend eternity. As actor Mr. T (who is a Christian) might say, “I pity the fool that doesn’t know Jesus.”

“But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’” - Luke 12:20