HUMOR?

I believe humor and a sense of humor are necessary for humans for a variety of reasons.  Without knowing why we find some things humorous and others not, I have always wondered why things which hurt or potentially hurt people or animals are found to be humorous.  If you watch the funny video program, you know what I mean.

Even worse, some find humor in situations where peoples' lives are totally destroyed.  The people involved often are involved in hypocritical behavior, such as religious people being involved in non-religious behavior, or people who hold high positions or positions of trust who do foolish things.  Why are these things funny?

Can anyone explain to me why a man being struck in a sensitive part of his body by some object is funny?  The reaction to this and similar  incidents, which we know produce a lot of pain and possible permanent injury, should be one of concern for the victim but instead we demonstrate a total lack of compassion and enjoy a laugh at the victim's expense no matter what the consequence to him.  Is this perversity on our part a revelation of a human flaw which enjoys other's misfortune simply because it is not ours?  I must admit, I laugh too but I don't know why.

I really need to know the answer to this.  If you have some insight, share it with me.