Science Vs Religion with a Humorous Twist

Bible Studies can really test your mettle. I had a really crazy incident years ago at one in Dix Hills, LI about 32 years ago. It's funny and spiritual too so I want to share it with everyone!

I was at this event and my elder, a Hebrew Christian in the church asked me, his favorite Hebrew Christian at the study to play the father. My girlfriend played my wife and one of the twins who lived in the home played my daughter.

The scenario was that the twin comes home and is very confused in the skit. She tells me, "Daddy, in Sunday School, I was taught that we came from God but in Public School we are being taught that we are descended from parallel lines from the apes. Daddy, Daddy, which one is it?"

Now, I found this question to be very deep. After all, the battle rages on when it comes to religion vs. science and reason in this kind of discussion.

So, I responded, "The answer if very, very simple! My side of the family came from God and your mother's side of the family came from the apes!"

Everyone exploded into guffaws of laughter (the study was held in the basement and many people came) except for the twin, my elder and my girl friend who were all flabbergasted at this answer. The twin asked my girl "Mommy, can I hit Daddy?" and my girlfriend said, "Sure go right ahead!" So she punched me.

This is actually one of my Dad's jokes and I was so taken off my guard I decided to use it. Really, I did the whole thing impromptu and I decided to do that in a split second after being told the situation I was supposed to respond to. But as usual when I use my father's material I get in trouble. The latter 3 didn't think it was funny at all, and my elder was yelling, "No, no no, that is not what I wanted!"

What made it even funnier was that I delivered this joke with a perfectly straight face and I suckered everyone into thinking that I was going to give a really good, spiritual answer. What actually makes it even better is that it jives with a particular belief in Chasidism.

Some Chasidim believe that the father contributes parts of the soul revolving around the higher nature or neshama (nefesh haelokit or "Godly soul") and the mother contributes the lower nature, the "animal soul" or nefesh habahamit and also the construction of the body of a person. So, when I told this joke to some Chasidim they exploded into laughter too but not for the reason I thought they were laughing.

In retrospect, I guess the joke was on me. And no, although I was married for a while, I never married my childhood sweetheart like many people do. It was my loss really. I should mourn!