Jesus Never Laughed

Neither did Buddha.  According to the Tuvatakasutta (Suttina Nipata 4.14) the Buddha puts laughter in the same category as sloth, deception, and fornication: things to be abandoned.

You shall work six days, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during plowing time and harvest you shall rest.

Exodus 34:21

When scripture states that we are to labour six days and rest one, this does not allot for a two week vacation. Nor does it say we work from 9 to 5 and then watch tv and play sports from 5 to 9.  In fact the Bible does not talk about entertainment and competitive sports.  These are mere games to fill our time; or in other words pointless busywork.

If a team wins a sporting match and you spend your time cheering them on, how does that make the world a better place?  Does it make anyone’s lives better besides those who profit from these activities?

This same ideology applies to Olympic athletes. The pursuit of a gold medal does not enhance the overall well-being of humanity and is little more than an egotistical pursuit of personal gratification and recognition. Sure, our bodies can be pushed to the limits to achieve things that displace the limits in our own mind, but it is not recommended or even commendable for doing so.

If we are pursuing objectives that do not have the goal of maximizing physical health and prolonging the longevity of life (maximizing our time), than we are governed by self-centeredness and human madness. In many ways, our bodies are a non-renewable resource. Once we wear our our knees because we ran too many marathons, we cannot get new ones. Although medical science has found ways to offer man-made substitutes, this has enabled human insanity by offering cheap fixes instead of forcing people to turn inwards and properly govern the use of their body, mind, soul and spirit.

I understand the health benefits of physical activities but this need not be accomplished by turning everything into a competition and submit to you that everyone is worse off by doing so, especially our young children.

Why not have a pick up soccer game where a new team is picked every time?  That way no one is left out and the weaker players are supported by the stronger ones.  Instead of playing to win, why not play to build camaraderie and community?  Why do human beings feel the need to rank, measure and rate everything?  From our weight on the scale, to our performance at school and work, to calories on food items this is leading to the breakdown and division of human relationships and a decline in mental health.

Do you not have better things to do with your time then paint your face, put on a hockey jersey and shout and scream like an insane man or woman for a game whose outcome in the grand scheme of things really doesn’t matter?

Perhaps life has become too easy.  With modern day technology, the global economy and other conveniences of life, we no longer have to grow, cook, catch or hunt our own food.  Instead of chopping wood for the fireplace we click a button and turn on the heat.  Instead of preparing a meal we open a box and put it in the microwave with a disposable tray and eat with disposable plates so we don’t have to do the dishes. Instead of losing weight because our breasts are too big and causing back problems we get a breast reduction.

Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

James 4:10

All you need to do is look around to see the current state of humanity. From how we look, to what we wear, to how we spend our time, to how we talk and treat those around us, on a global scale we have become selfish and greedy. Instead of humbling ourselves before the Lord and being grateful for what we have, we pursue our wants and desires above all else and will lie, cheat and steal to get them.

Perhaps it’s time to take life more seriously.