Humour and Religion Challenges and Ambiguities

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Synopsis

Humour and Religion highlights the importance and functioning of humour in different world religions. Exploring the major religious cultures, the book looks at more constructive aspects to the relation between humour and religion, with humour seen as a pathway to spiritual wisdom.Exploring how religions contain (implicit) references to the finitude and relativity of the human condition, and why humour and spirituality fit well together, contributors discuss what the meaning of humour in different religions is - Did it evolve historically? How does it function? How is humour related to the realization of spiritual goals? Looking at religions from an external perspective, the contributors then analyze the way religion interacts with humour in society. How does a religion respond to sarcasm and irony? Are there limits to mockery and making fun of believers? Does humour have a pacifying effect when societal tensions run high or does it intensify the sensitivities? This volume will provide essays of value to scholars in the various religions and literatures covered.

Book details

Author:
Hans Geybels, Walter Van Herck
ISBN:
9781441194831
Related ISBNs:
9781441139245
Publisher:
Bloomsbury Publishing
Pages:
288
Reading age:
Not specified
Includes images:
No
Date of addition:
2018-10-20
Usage restrictions:
Copyright
Copyright date:
2011
Copyright by:
N/A 
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Categories:
Humor, Nonfiction, Religion and Spirituality