Humor og religion — et umake par?

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the research field and the empirical context of humour and religion with a specific focus on Norway. It presents relevant theoretical perspectives which informed the project on which this book is based, including theories regarding the resurgence of religion in the public sphere, the mediatization of religion, and theories of humour. In addition, we introduce the thirteen chapters. The book is divided in two parts, namely religion in humour and humour in religion, and the chapters offer insight into the various ways religion and humour intersect, including the production of humour about religion and religious humour, media representations of humour and religion, as well as responses and attitudes to humour and religion. While the relationship between religion and humour has long been considered contradictory, this book offers examples of how religion and humour are in continuous dialogue, negotiating ways to relate to each other.

When confessing sin feels good

“…1 Some studies in the Norwegian context show how Christian leaders often avoid the concept sin, especially when preaching to young people (Botvar & Gresaker, 2015;Botvar & Gresaker, 2016;Trysnes, 2012, p. 4). Thus, there seems to be a certain hesitance towards addressing sin in contemporary preaching, although the liturgy in liturgically oriented churches such as the Church of Norway 2 We here follow Charles Taylor in his understanding of secularity in Western societies as denoting a cultural situation in which Christianity used to be the dominant religion, but in which Christian belief today is an option and even an embattled option.…”

“…11Some studies in the Norwegian context show how Christian leaders often avoid the concept sin, especially when preaching to young people (Botvar & Gresaker, 2015; Botvar & Gresaker, 2016; Trysnes, 2012, p. 4). Thus, there seems to be a certain hesitance towards addressing sin in contemporary preaching, although the liturgy in liturgically oriented churches such as the Church of Norway (CofN) still includes a general confession of sin.…”