God says life is eternal with joy or terror as potential ends. Laughter on the other hand is amusement - the absence of thought. And yes, that distraction can be very effective in keeping people from thinking about eternity.
“God says life is eternal with joy or terror as potential ends.”
Yes, that point is made repeatedly in the Bible.
“Laughter on the other hand is amusement—the absence of thought.”
The Bible does not say that. You said that, and it is inherently false.
Laughter can be an expression of derision—like me laughing at you, right now, or an expression of joy, delight, wonder—like me laughing at the gentle absurdities Gene Wilder presented in his many wise and silly performances.
Laughter can be done in acceptance or rejection. It is both a function and a portion of free will, and like free will, our ability to laugh is a gift from God.
But laughter is NEVER without thought.
Tell you what I think: an eternity amongst dead souls who hate laughter and think it should be avoided would be hell.
You’re welcome to it.
Heh, I think Richard Pryor had some jokes about people who are wound a tad tight.
But all joking aside now, it's not that complicated. In Isaac* shall Abraham's seed be called.
For others, there's the peanut gallery, where there is the weeping and gnashing of teeth.
* "he laughs"
RIP, Mr. Wilder. Thank you for making me laugh. May your beautiful, expressive eyes light up the heavens.