Laughing Gods, Weeping Virgins: Laughter in the History of Religion
Laughing Gods, Weeping Virgins analyses how laughter has been used as a symbol in myths, rituals and festivals of Western religions, and has thus been inscribed in religious discourse. The Mesopotamian Anu, the Israelite Jahweh, the Greek Dionysos, the Gnostic Christ and the late modern Jesus were all laughing gods. Through their laughter, gods prove both their superiority and their proximity to humans.
In this comprehensive study, Professor Gilhus examines the relationship between corporeal human laughter and spiritual divine laughter from c‘ussical antiquity, to the Christian West and the modern era. She combines the study of the history of religion with social-scientific approaches, to provide an original and pertinent exploration of a universal human phenomenon, and its significance for the development of religions.
"1111881867"
Laughing Gods, Weeping Virgins: Laughter in the History of Religion
Laughing Gods, Weeping Virgins analyses how laughter has been used as a symbol in myths, rituals and festivals of Western religions, and has thus been inscribed in religious discourse. The Mesopotamian Anu, the Israelite Jahweh, the Greek Dionysos, the Gnostic Christ and the late modern Jesus were all laughing gods. Through their laughter, gods prove both their superiority and their proximity to humans.
In this comprehensive study, Professor Gilhus examines the relationship between corporeal human laughter and spiritual divine laughter from c‘ussical antiquity, to the Christian West and the modern era. She combines the study of the history of religion with social-scientific approaches, to provide an original and pertinent exploration of a universal human phenomenon, and its significance for the development of religions.
69.99 In Stock
Laughing Gods, Weeping Virgins: Laughter in the History of Religion

Laughing Gods, Weeping Virgins: Laughter in the History of Religion

by Ingvild Saelid Gilhus
Laughing Gods, Weeping Virgins: Laughter in the History of Religion

Laughing Gods, Weeping Virgins: Laughter in the History of Religion

by Ingvild Saelid Gilhus

Paperback

$69.99 
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Overview

Laughing Gods, Weeping Virgins analyses how laughter has been used as a symbol in myths, rituals and festivals of Western religions, and has thus been inscribed in religious discourse. The Mesopotamian Anu, the Israelite Jahweh, the Greek Dionysos, the Gnostic Christ and the late modern Jesus were all laughing gods. Through their laughter, gods prove both their superiority and their proximity to humans.
In this comprehensive study, Professor Gilhus examines the relationship between corporeal human laughter and spiritual divine laughter from c‘ussical antiquity, to the Christian West and the modern era. She combines the study of the history of religion with social-scientific approaches, to provide an original and pertinent exploration of a universal human phenomenon, and its significance for the development of religions.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780415555050
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Publication date: 05/16/2009
Pages: 184
Product dimensions: 5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Ingvild Sælid Gilhus

Table of Contents

Introduction; Chapter 1 The Ancient Near East; Chapter 2 Greece; Chapter 3 Rome; Chapter 4 Early Christianity; Chapter 5 Medieval Christianity; Chapter 6 Modernity and the Remythologization of Laughter; Chapter 7 Religion of Jokes;
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