ABSTRACT
Very similar to Droogers and van Harskamp's use of ludic capacities to analyse actual participation in activities is the more abstract capacity to ‘play' with ideas when approaching issues in a ‘what if' kind of way. Moreover, while the ‘ludic' element provides an insight into and a means of research on religious and worldview studies, it also raises ethical aspects of fieldwork. Aspect of the playful-ludic outlook lies in gambling, from betting-shops and online casino gambling through to national and international lotteries. Inviting emotions of excitement and anticipating good fortune amidst a more boring lifestyle such gambling almost resembles ethos of stand-up comedian; the fun depicting ordinariness parallels the hope to break-free from the mundane. Christmas can be taken as a final example of a ludic perspective within cultures of Christian heritage. Theoretical analyses of Christmas integrate society-wide celebration, active participation of families, the ‘performance' of parenting, much expression of reciprocity through gifts, emphasis on children within extended family life.
