UID:
almafu_9961565575602883
Format:
1 online resource (254 pages).
Edition:
1st ed.
ISBN:
0-429-19669-5
,
0-429-59160-8
,
0-429-58966-2
Series Statement:
Routledge new critical thinking in religion, theology and biblical studies
Content:
This book traces the development of religious comedy and leverages that history to justify today's uses of religious humor in all of its manifestations, including irreverent jokes. It argues that regulating humor is futile and counterproductive, illustrating this point with a host of comedic examples. Humor is a powerful rhetorical tool for those who advocate and for those who satirize religious ideals. The book presents a compelling argument about the centrality of humor to the story of Western Christianity's cultural and artistic development since the Middle Ages, taking a multi-disciplinary approach that combines literary criticism, religious studies, philosophy, theology, and social science. After laying out the conceptual framework in Part 1, Part 2 analyzes key works of religious comedy across the ages from Dante to the present, and it samples the breadth of contemporary religious humor from Brad Stine to Robin Williams, and from Monty Python to South Park. Using critical, historical, and conceptual lenses, the book exposes and overturns past attempts by church authorities, scholars, and commentators to limit and control laughter based on religious, ideological, or moral criteria. This is a unique look into the role of humor and comedy around religion. It will, therefore, be of great interest to scholars of Religious Studies, Humor Studies, and the Sociology of Religion.
Note:
Cover -- Half Title -- Series -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- List of figures -- List of tables -- Abbreviation -- Introduction: the way, the truth, and the laugh -- Part 1 Ideological and theological coordinates of humor -- 1 Ideology and laughter: against the liberal paradigm of humor -- 2 Theology and laughter: against the confessional paradigm of humor -- Part 2 Christian religious comedy: historical developments and the contemporary scene -- 3 A chronicle of triumph: religious humor from Dante to David Javerbaum -- 4 Varieties of humorous irreverence: contemporary religious comedy from Brad Stine to South Park -- Conclusion -- Epilogue: beyond Christianity: humor in other religious traditions -- Key terms and definitions -- Bibliography -- Appendixes -- Index.
Additional Edition:
ISBN 0-367-18510-5
Language:
English
Keywords:
Electronic books.
;
Electronic books.
URL:
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9780429196690
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