Why do we not believe Greek mythology still?

Question

People say that there is evidence of biblical places and events. Well the battlefields of Troy have been found as well. Does that suggest that the Iliad and Odyssey are in-fact true?

Answer 1

As our knowledge increased, we figured out that we didn't need myths and gods to explain the workings of the natural world around us, and understood the point of the Greek myths to be moral lessons rather than actual events.

Enlightened people today understand that the same applies to any other mythical religion, like chrisitanity or islam. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of people whose minds are stuck in the dark ages, and feel they need to believe in a great and all-powerful god to explain life and the world around them. Sad. :(

Answer 2

Because we supposedly now "know better". heh.

I think the stories of the Iliad and Odyssey are rooted in actual events (i.e. the Trojan War). The ancient gods and goddesses of Greece (and Egypt, and everywhere else) were fairly fluid, going in and out of fashion during different time periods.

Without getting into a big theology discussion, when the Catholic Church tried to convert pagans to Christianity, one of the things they did was to deliberately corrupt gods (i.e. Pan becoming symbolic of "satan" with his hooves and horns). Eventually most became monotheistic, rather than polytheistic. With the rise of Christianity (as well as other monotheistic religions) and it's tenant of "one true god", many people will refuse to even entertain the idea that there is any truth to Greek mythology.

This stands for most cultures mythology, and most likely other religions than Christianity, but I'm just using examples based on things that I know and am well-versed in.

Answer 3

You are confusing things. The Illiad and the Odyssey are not "the bible" of Greek or Roman mythology. It is an epic tale told by Homer (who is thought to be many people and not just one person) which includes the Gods, Goddesses, and other mythical beasts from their religion. It is a story, not a historical/religious document.

Most people don't believe in them anymore because when the belief in those gods and goddesses started, they were not anthropomorphised (made like a person), but over time they were, and they became corrupt and acting like all of us, so they lost their "power" or ability for people to see them as something to model themselves after. Also, with the spread of Christianity, people found a diety who they can worship and not fear retribution from (people lived in fear of the gods that they could be struck down at a whim of a narcissitic diety) and could actually find salvation from.

Answer 4

What people believed in before Greece and Greek mythology? in my opinion like everything else in life, human being is evolving, we just replaced Greek metrology with other forms of belief system, it will never stay the same. One day people may come and ask, why we don't believe in
Christianity, Islam or Judaism..

Answer 5

I rather believe in the Greek Mythology than a Christian one because its mote exciting.

Who knew Gods could have such a dysfunctional family.

Answer 6

They are true. I was watching the Odyssey on TV on Sunday.

Answer 7

Christians do. Compare the story of Apollo to that of Jesus.
pikachu - no one has ever found God, either, or an angel.

Answer 8

well maybe cause no one's ever found like centaurs or the titans, or anything.

Answer 9

Gods die when you don't believe in them.
So will the god of jesus...one day.