6533b820fe1ef96bd1279a8e

RESEARCH PRODUCT

«Ånden som holdt på å le seg i hjel»: En studie av humor i alternativt religiøse magasiner

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This study addresses the link between alternative religiosity and humour. Alternative religiosity is characterized by an openness to the spiritual world, focusing on various forms of practice related to meditation, therapy and self-development. It has been described as a pick-and-mix religion were individuals pick and choose beliefs from different religions and religious orientations, such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Western esoteric religiosity. This article looks at how humour is used as a tool in two alternative religious magazines. It describes the content of humour and in which contexts humour is found in these magazines. The aim of both magazines is to spread information about alternative religiosity, alternative lifestyles and different alternative treatment methods. Humour occurs in different contexts in the two magazines and changes over time. However, humour is a rather rare tool and has a subordinate function. It is often used to spread information about an alternative lifestyle. It also appears as part of alternative self-presentations and attempts to create positive communitive identity