Why isn't the Catholic and Christian beliefs classified as myths and legends?

Question

The Catholic and Christian beliefs are just what people said what happened, there isn't real proof that all those things occurred. If the Greek and Roman stories about gods and goddesses are myths, why can't the stories that are written in the Bible in the myth section?
I don't have anything against religion, I'm just curious.

Answer 1

i agree with you and I think that people are hard pressed to look at their beliefs objectively and have a sense of history...all religions have eventually been shown to be false or proven wrong, its only a matter of time for christianity..And also there is just as much historical proof that some greek myths occured and were based on truth just like the bible..Just think about Troy which was considered a myth and not a real city until it was discovered in the 20th century..

Answer 2

Because there is proof that such things existed. There was an Ark found on the top of a mountain in Turkey, exactly the measurements that the Bible said. There was an atmospheric change that occurred after the flood. The Dead Sea (the bottom of it is shaped like a huge fist) was formed where Sodom and Gamorrah were wiped out from the earth.

The places still exist where Jesus walked the earth and the Shroud of Turin still exists and shows an image that only could have occurred through an inner light glowing in the body and staining the cloth. Relics of saints cause miracles every day. People still have pieces of the Holy Cross and the crown of thorns.

There is absolutely nothing to prove the legends of paganism because it never happened. Oh and Catholicism is Christianity. Protestanism is not Christianity because all Protestant religions were formed by men. Only God began Catholicism.

Answer 3

I'm sure that if the Greek and Roman stories of Gods and Goddesses were still widely accepted, believed, worshiped, etc that it wouldn't be classified as myths or legends. The Catholic faith and Christianity are widely accepted and supported which apparently doesn't make it myth of legend. But just remember, at one time, God's and Goddesses WERE considered the truth just as the Bible is now.

Answer 4

Interesting question. From dictionary.com: “A traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serves as a fundamental type in the worldview of a people, as by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals of society: the myth of Eros and Psyche; a creation myth…A popular belief or story that has become associated with a person, institution, or occurrence, especially one considered to illustrate a cultural ideal…A fiction or half-truth, especially one that forms part of an ideology…A fictitious story, person, or thing,”
There are a lot of Christians trying to scientifically verify their beliefs while vilifying science. You might also add that Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicea to stop several hundred quarreling bishops and consolidate his power by selecting which of the religious texts about Jesus would be official doctrine and those that would be stricken. There were controversies in the early church just as there are today. In a sense the current Bible and church doctrine was made up or selected from many possibilities by a few bishops that were able to attend. Those who usually attend organizational meetings are interested in personal power and authority. Even disciples who walked with Jesus had doubts (Thomas) about Jesus and his teachings.
With the many contradictions in Christianity that are usually called mysteries of faith, it is no wonder that many question the validity and veracity of Christian texts and dogma.
It is also no wonder that Christians vigorously attack any scientific discovery that does not support their dogma.
Finally, Christians complain that scientists and the secular community attacks Christianity but the opposite is true; most scientists care little about empirically testing Christian beliefs, they simply believe that there are some things that not within the realm of scientific inquiry. They do, however, offer alternative explanations for events that are supported by much physical evidence that are inconsistent with Christian dogma and as a result, Christians complain that they are being persecuted. That is so stupid.

Answer 5

Because the Christian faith is huge. Many people believe in a god and don't view them as myths or legends. However, since so many people believe in the faith, the overall census can shift the smaller, older faiths into the myths, legends and overall "wrong" catagory. It will always be that way. Someone amazing may come along again, like Christ, and stir people with his teachings. It will be harder with the skepticism everyone seems to view everything with. But if it happened and exploded, being grasped by all nations, christianity would be pushed into that folklore catagory. We'd learn about it in history classes, but it would be viewed like the great Greek Myths, fun stories that are more like fables that have morals to learn. Which is all religion really is.

Answer 6

Your question makes little sense. All the events of the bible are historical; most of which are recorded in other texts. The kings of Israel were real, this is not some myth or legend. Jesus dwelled on Earth, in fact if you study you will find that only one thing can not be substantiated by non-Christian texts: the resurrection; however, this is because the rumor the Pharisees and scribes started about the disciples taking the body spread abroad (even this makes no sense, because the tomb was guarded by well-trained guards).

The plagues of Egypt are recorded on other Egyptian papyrus texts. The battles of the books of Judges and the Kings and Chronicles did take place and the results were as the bible recorded, the means however can not always be substantiated.

In other words, everything in the Bible is truth, historical fact; the only things that can't be proven for the most part are divine forms of intervention, for this one needs wisdom and faith.


In response to the post below mine, regarding Luke's gospel. He wrote it as a letter to a man named Theopolis, after having carefully investigated all the facts about Christ. (Luke 1:1-4) Luke's gospel is most likely a similar gospel to that which Paul preached for he travelled with Paul as his companion he wrote it about 60AD, shortly thereafter he wrote another letter to Theopolis 62-64AD the Acts of the Apostles which documents the journeys of himself and Paul, not to mention the other apostles primarily Peter.

Answer 7

During that time oral tradition was all there was. What takes it out of the realm of "myth" or "legend" is the reoccurrence of the same story more than once.

1. We have three disciples, Matthew, Mark, and John. After Jesus was crucified they were forced to split up. That is extremely important because when you read their gospels they sync up. It wasn't like John could call up Matthew and ask how he though the story went. (I don't mention Luke because it is debatable if it was written by Luke himself or by someone who heard the story by word of mouth.)

2. Unlike folktales, legends, and myths these people were real. Most historians will not argue the fact that Jesus was real and actually did walk on earth. This is way different from characters like Hercules, and Paul Bunion.

Answer 8

Many people actually categorize religions in the same category as mythology. But a deeper examination usually reflects a split along the fact that myth focuses on symbolism and stories while a religion may include beliefs of veracity or statements of a prescriptive nature.

A modern liberal interpretation of most religions would include a study of the "mythos" underlying the religion, so actually, yes, you could classify some aspects of Cath/Chris beliefs (or any other) as myth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mythology#Religion_and_mythology

Answer 9

Because there is no proof that any of those being in Greek and Roman mythology existed. There is historical evidence that Jesus did exist. The beliefs that we hold have been brought down to us from eye witness accounts. Oh....Catholics ARE Christians btw.

Answer 10

Check out the Dewey Decimal system sometime.

200 – Religion
200 – Religion
210 – Philosophy and theory of religion
220 – Bible
230 – Christianity and Christian theology
240 – Christian practice and observance
250 – Christian pastoral practice and religious orders
260 – Christian organization, social work, and worship
270 – History of Christianity
280 – Christian denominations
290 – Other religions