Routledge - Laughing Gods, Weeping Virgins - Religion History

Explore the hidden role of laughter within religious traditions with Laughing Gods, Weeping Virgins. Published by Routledge, this academic study by Professor Gilhus examines how laughter functions as a symbol in the myths, rituals, and festivals of Western religions. This book tracks the presence of laughter from classical antiquity through the Christian West and into the late modern era. It looks at how various figures, including the Mesopotamian Anu, the Israelite Jahweh, the Greek Dionysos, the Gnostic Christ, and the late modern Jesus, have been depicted as laughing gods. By studying these figures, the text explores how divine laughter establishes both the superiority of the gods and their closeness to humanity. It provides a deep look at the connection between human laughter and spiritual divine laughter, offering a unique perspective on religious discourse and the history of human belief systems.