No Laughing Matter - One of the marks of the so-called `Toronto Blessing,' and its genre, is `holy laughter.' The participants collapse in almost uncontrollable laughter and this is supposed to be a sign of the Spirit of God working in spiritual renewal.
However, there is not a shred of evidence in the Bible that this was ever practiced, or that it is desirable spiritual behaviour.
There have been instances, documented by missionaries, that primitive tribes have demonstrated this phenomenon completely outside a Christian context.
It is well known that laughter is contagious and can be started without any spiritual dimension. In the latest issue of the `National Geographic' magazine there is an interesting sideline in a major article in India.
On page 32 a photograph is shown of one of the 37 `laughing clubs' in Mumbai (Bombay). The participants breathe deeply, yoga-like, reach for the sky to reduce inhibitions, then force a "ho, ho, ha, ha" until the laughter becomes contagious. Then the whole company engages in uproarious laughter.
It is claimed that this laughing behaviour reduces stress, says club founder, Dr. Madan Kataria. But it does not make any claim of increased spirituality. "Holy laughter" is a joke but it is not funny.
Canadian Revivalist, March, 4-1-97