Isn't religion the same as mythology?

Question

Yahoo! Answers has separate categories for "Mythology & Folklore" and "Religion & Spirituality" -- isn't this redundant?

Answer 1

perhaps that is why some people ask question about mythology and folklore in the religious section. you might try asking the same question in the religion section.

Answer 2

Very good question and a good point. I must say I do 1/2 agree with you.

In my view every word has a minimum of two views as a coin has two sides. In looking up the words religion and mythology in the dictionary I do see a distinct division between the two. I see that religion contains reverence, a set does of practices, and/or devotion which are not necessary for mythology or a myth. Oh yes one can make a myth a religious practice and a way of life. But as I do read the two definitions then the myth would be or could be now named a religion by definition.

Maybe one can compare the book called the Bible a myth and then can say the practice of what is included in it is the practice of a mythology in the form of a religion. However such can be done with any book that does hold writings that one does hold in reverence, etc.

I can not by any reasonable way see the word Religion or the word mythology eliminated from the dictionary based upon your position that they may be redundant. I do accept I have a lot to learn. If you can declare that religion and mythology do have the same precise meaning please do explain it to me so I can learn. Likewise be prepared to explain all your reasoning for such a view.

Thanks again for the question and for making me go back to the dictionary. Now do smile and have a great day.

Answer 3

Mythology is the study of myths. So the study of any religion is Mythology. The neat bit, is any of them might be true. But there is no proof that any of them are. Every religion at some point, felt it was the right one. Religion is generally a way for primitives to explain what they cannot understand. I don't understand it, must be magic. The reason for two seperate sections, current religions are not considered myths, untill they are forgoteen or no longer belived. So it will not be long, till several current religions including christian, will pass into the group of myths;

Answer 4

Mythology is other people's religions. The categorization does imply some kind of difference between the two, perhaps as in religion involving liturgy and a priesthood rather than folk customs and beliefs, but then what do you do with the prayers and practices of the majority of the world's devout people who do practice one of the 'recognized' religions?

Good point. Thank you.

Answer 5

A few thousand years from now books on mythology will include all the religions of today.
Remember Ra was worshipped as the Sun God for many thousands of years, now he's only a filler in crossword puzzles.

Answer 6

Mythology and folklore were deemed through the overall public if no longer all of society to be fake. faith and spirituality has been deemed through the overall public of society circuitously or yet another to be authentic. Plus the actual undeniable reality that the internet web site would probable be close down in the journey that they blanketed those mutually. Insulting ALL religeions rapidly. Chaos guy.

Answer 7

Religion is only mythology if nobody is left that believes it to be true. As for spirituality you can be spiritual and still glean spiritual lessons from mythology, religion, nature, and or life experiences. These are only the mediums not the effects themselves.

Answer 8

In some cases yes. But you misunderstand the term "mythology"
All mythology has basis is fact. Fiction is purely made up; mythology is distorted facts.

Answer 9

This is purely political, because many of the "devout" would object to putting them together. Myth is highly useful metaphor, and this is how all religion begins, but they often degenerat into dogma and empty ritual. Perhaps lumping myth and religion together would be insulting to myth.

Answer 10

Yes it is redundant but can you imagine the outrage if they removed the category.........would be fun viewing LOL.