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Toward a Manifesto of Silliness

Recently, my thoughts have turned to silliness. It all began when my eight year old son and I sat together on the couch, he on my lap. We spent a while goofing, mostly laughing at nothing. Afterward, a question stuck in my mind: Why was that so good? It's not as though we hadn't been together lately, we had -- plenty. Thus, for several days on end, at odd moments here and there, I've been thinking about nonsense, tomfoolery, laughter -- in a word, silliness. In fact, I'm becoming quite serious about it.

Other questions have arisen: How might Jesus view silliness? What Scripture passages come to mind when I'm thinking this way? Is there such a thing as a theology of silliness?

I also asked my family about it. "What," I said one night at dinner, "makes silliness important?" I did realize as I asked the question that I assumed the importance of such a thing, but none of them skipped a beat. We came up with the following:

1. Silliness is a sign of joy

2. We are silly, therefore it is important

3. Silliness is just fun

4. Silliness helps bring balance

5. Silliness solidifies relationships

I assure you, these five reasons were developed in earnest, if not in complete seriousness, and we did this quite rapidly. Other topics we bring up around the table, much more "important" ones, may or may not take more thought -- but silliness, well, we had some things to say immediately. That's interesting all by itself. I'll have to reflect on that.

I'm posting this today as a sort of introduction. The plan is to meditate on silliness using the five reasons listed above. We believe that silliness is important in our house, and maybe, after some consideration, you will realize that you do, too.

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