Deaf Beki Humor: A pastoral-theological articulation of Pagbabangong-Dangal—Resurrection

Abstract

Humor is underexplored in theology. Thus, this study re-examines the Christian concept of resurrection through the lens of dignity, grounded in the lived experiences of select Filipino Deaf LGBT individuals. An exploration of their beki (queer) humor can enrich our orthodoxic pastoral-theological approach with this group whose location is pegged in the margins. In probing their beki humor experiences and expressions, this article rethinks the Christian core concept of resurrection as pagbabangong-dangal (uplifting one’s dignity) where its point of departure is hiyâ (generally accepted as “shame”). However, for Virgilio Enriquez, hiyâ is dignity or propriety, a nuance that was not promoted or studied further. Hence, this article will explore beki humor from the perspective of hiyâ taken as dignity and further explore its contour with resurrection. In this context, it is apt to inquire, how might Deaf beki humor enrich our theopastoral articulation of resurrection as pagbabangong-dangal?