Holy Humor

by Cal Samra

Effectively disproving any notion that Christians are relentlessly dour, melancholy, humorless, and joyless, these books from Cal and Rose Samra offer a rib-tickling treasury of Christian joy and humor. They're as ideally suited to individuals and families looking for a laugh as they are to pastors, speakers, and all those who seek to spice up their presentations - and their lives -
with a few power-packed moments of Holy Humor.
        For more than a decade, the interdenominational Fellowship of Merry Christians has been publishing The Joyful Noiseletter, an award-winning newsletter filled with church life humor by some of the world's top comedians, humorists, clowns, and cartoonists. Now, the most snicker-spurring and laughter-inciting of these comical contributions are available in four uproarious trade paperback collections and four mini-giftbooks!
        Featuring cartoons by such gifted cartoonists as Bil Keane, creator of The Family Circus, and Johnny Hart, creator of B.C., these collections by editors Cal and Rose Samra are a virtual treasury of good, clean, inspirational humor. Within the pages of each book, readers will find enough knee-slapping jokes, uplifting anecdotes, zingy one-liners, joyful Scripture references, inspiring stories, top ten lists, clean limericks, church cartoons, real-life "uh-ohs," bulletin bloopers, and "jestimonials" from pastors, health professionals, chaplains, and patients to make them laugh from start to finish!
        Conveniently arranged by topic or month for easy use, each book is ideal for pastors, teachers, public speakers, and all who seek to fill their lives with God-inspired joy and holy laughter, to help them face the challenges of life.

Genres: Humor, Christian, Comedy, Nonfiction, Religion

240 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1996

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've always been a big fan of humor. Growing up on media such as Home Improvement, Garfield, and the 1997 Disney remake of George of the Jungle, comedy has always been a big part of my life. In fact, when I was younger, my attempts at making myself or others laugh got me in trouble.

So, as both a longtime humor fan and a Christian, you'd probably think I'd like something like this...but, I didn't. There were a scant few jokes and stories that made me laugh out loud...but, I can't see how anyone would even crack a smile at some of these. Bible verses? Quotations from Christian historical figures? Sorry, but that's not what makes me laugh.

I also felt that the endorsement on the cover by Family Circus cartoonist on the cover was a con job. Of course he likes it; it has his own comic strips in it! Talk about conflict of interest!

[Donna Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book showing how humor is vitial to the Christian faith. So pull up a chair and have a laugh. it's good for your soul.

[R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been awhile, but I remember it being pretty good for a humor book.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nonfiction book of jokes about religion, most can be used in sermons. Not really meant to be read in one sitting.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but very few of the jokes made me do more than smile a little. Maybe that's partly because I read it before - that was nearly twenty years ago, but I have a good memory, and jokes that rely on surprise don't work well when you know what's coming. It was a good reminder of the importance of humor and joy, but I had been hoping to find something that actually made me laugh.

[Steven P Engel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took this from an older relative who had recently passed. I skimmed through it and chuckled a few times. It is written separated into months and perhaps would be better read in small doses. There are some inspirational quotes and some saccharine thoughts. Reminds me of reading Reader’s Digest in the bathroom when i was a kid.

[Armatstorage · Rating 4 out of 5]

239 pages. I read most of this to Mark. It has some very funny stuff. Some we did not find funny, but just silly. It's worth the read for the hilarious, true incidents reported on in the book.

[Alex Richmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before some say my three stars is a reason to not read it, I did not dislike this book, I just don't think its great or should be marked as a notable read for most people.

Holy Humor is, to put it simply, a joke book and a motivational book for those looking for cleaner humor. While I enjoyed a few of the jokes, there where a few jokes that where the same one just themed different, and a few that just where not all the funny. A joke about a boring speaker is only funny the first few times.

I will hold on to the book so I have the good jokes near at hand, and it wasn't my most means a waste of time, I just wish it was more and I can not yet put into words how.

[Kristopher Swinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather too miscellaneous a collection to readily review, and I can't recommend the shameless and repetitive pride in the history of their newsletter (grown particularly lengthy in the "Jestimonials" section at the end). All in all, though, I got more than enough amusement out of this to warrant a 3.5, just barely rounded up to 4.

[Connie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking for material for my congregation's Holy Humor Sunday. While there are some things that may prove useful, a lot of the material is dated at this point and not especially relevant. However, older members of the congregation seem to have enjoyed this book, based on the jokes they tell. :-)

[Cws]

248.4

[Ted · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was more about humor than humorous.