In a previous article I shared how much I love a good social documentary, but I also love some good stand-up comedians. Whether it’s Ellen DeGeneres or Robin Williams, Jim Gaffigan or Mitch Hedberg, Tig Notaro or Hasan Minhaj, Hannah Gadsby or Brian Regan, I love them all. Throw in the ventriloquist Jeff Dunham or magicians Pen & Teller and the Amazing Johnathan, and I will binge on comedy for days, laughing until I cry.
Stand-up comedians do not simply get you to laugh. They allow you to forget about your personal troubles and stresses for an hour or so. They invite you into their world and take you on a comedy journey. For those of us who often speak in public, studying their routines, delivery, or speech patterns can enhance our own public speaking skills. Some of the best comedians are brilliant artists and storytellers.
Yet, I’ve come to believe they are also the prophets of our day. They can speak to the present age in ways that many other people can’t. Sure, they poke fun, can be overly crass, and even offend, but they can also shed light on situations that, at other times, can be difficult to discuss.
There’s that old advice not to talk about religion, politics, or money around the dinner table or on a date. Comedians don’t usually heed that advice and it is quite refreshing. In one recent stand-up routine, I watched the Scottish comedian Daniel Sloss start riffing on different religions. As an Atheist, he shared some funny stories of his interactions growing up in a religious family, noting his respect and love for his uncle who is a minister. After a couple of jokes landed perfectly, Sloss said, “Just because we believe different things happen to us after we die, doesn’t mean we can’t be kind to each other while we live.” He grabbed a drink of water letting the audience think about what he had just said.
Joke after joke, laugh after laugh, and then a simple statement with a profound truth for all of us. That’s the power of comedy. In one minute it can go from hysterical laughter to a punch in the gut. I immediately wrote it down so I could remember it. Just because we believe different things, doesn’t mean we can’t be kind to each other.
I don’t know about you, but with upcoming election cycles, breaking news stories of injustices or discrimination, and social media posts that probably shouldn’t have been posted, I crave a little more kindness in our diverse and interfaith world. Ok, I crave a lot more kindness in our world.
That’s what I think is so brilliant about Sloss’ statement. By being kind, we actually can learn how to live.