Leading scholars analyze the importance and functioning of humor in different world religions. "Humor and Religion" highlights the importance and functioning of humor in different world religions. Exploring the major religious cultures, the book looks at more constructive aspects to the relation between humor and religion, with humor seen as a pathway to spiritual wisdom. Exploring how religions contain (implicit) references to the finitude and relativity of the human condition, and why humor and spirituality fit well together, contributors discuss what the meaning of humor in different religions is - Did it evolve historically? How does it function? How is humor related to the realization of spiritual goals? Looking at religions from an external perspective, the contributors then analyze the way religion interacts with humor in society. How does a religion respond to sarcasm and irony? Are there limits to mockery and making fun of believers? Does humor 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 literature covers.

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