1st Edition
Laughing Gods, Weeping Virgins Laughter in the History of Religion
By Ingvild Saelid Gilhus
Copyright 1997
184 Pages
by
Routledge
184 Pages
by
Routledge
184 Pages
by
Routledge
Also available as eBook on:
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... Read more
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;
Biography
Ingvild Sælid Gilhus
'Professor Gilhus has provided a pertinent and scholarly investigation into the significance of laughter in religion. - Theology
'Laughing Gods and Weeping Virgins is a delightful and good natured study of the place and meaning of laughter in religion.' - Religion & Theology
'This study of laughter and religion by Ingvild Saelid Gilhus is a model of graceful scholarship written in impeccable English and presented with engaging clarity.' - David Martin, Lancaster University
'This study of laughter and religion by Ingvild Saelid Gilhus is a model of graceful scholarship written in impeccable English and presented with engaging clarity.' - David Martin, Journal of Contemporary Religion, Vol. 13 1998
