Rape is not funny, in fact it's one of the worst things a human can do to another human. Having said that, a JOKE about rape or any other topic can be funny. Just because you make a joke out of a sensitive subject doesn't mean that the person who told the joke is condoning a heinous act. For some people humor is a coping mechanism. And being able to make light of a truly dark situation is their way of helping themselves or others move on in a positive light hearted way. Bad things happen, some people cry, some get angry, and some make a joke. Everybody has a way of dealing with things.
its okay to joke about anything, but you know like, know your audience, and make sure its actually like, you know, funny. of course no matter how hard anyone tries someone will take a joke literally, even if the whole point of a joke was to point out how something was wrong, but that is just how people are when you gather up a bunch. someone will ruin something no matter what it is.
There _can_ be funny rape jokes. Heard a few funny ones about that Cosby fellow. Having said that: how necessary is it to make jokes about gruesome shit like raping at all? Why do people tell these jokes? My feeling is, its not so much to make people laugh and think what they are laughing about, its more to come across as the zero-fuck-giving free spirit. Well, the Cosby thing might be a bit different, because comedians kind see one of their own kind there in the spotlight, I don't know. In general I don't think it would be any kind of loss not to have people tell rape jokes.
jokes are typically how society first starts to accept and deal with issues. jokes are the first line of acceptance and pointing out flaws in how people process things. comedy is frequently at the frontlines of social change. jokes about nono topics are often necessary to spark the discussions no one wants to have.
well theres many aspects that are taken there... bringing to light when it happens and is tried to be swept under the rug(you know, the cosby jokes), or like this VERY GRAPHIC which jokes about male rape to emphasis why its not really a joke...
There you go!! :)