What exactly makes a religion a religion and not a myth?
2006-09-14 09:18:13 · 19 answers · asked by chartneck 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is all perspective. If you were an ancient Greek, you would probably be asking a priest of Zeus about these things ;)
Gods change, and as religeions wax and wane, and belief is diminished, the "GOD" becomes "god" who becomes "a story".
Consider this. Lucky Charms cereal has a leprechaun on it. Some of the stories of leprechauns can be tracked back
to Lugh Llamfada, a Celtic god. We sing Lullabies...which are actually a spell to keep away Lillith, who is Adam's first wife, or, a goddess, depending on whom you speak to. As one culture takes over another, they tend to absorb and dimunize the gods of the locals.
2006-09-14 09:26:09 · answer #1 · answered by Sad-Dad 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Technically speaking, myths are the stories and religion is the whole thing.
How Thor Got His Hammer = Myth
Odinism = Religion
The Virgin Birth = Myth
Christianity = Religion
Calling something a myth does not automatically mean it is not true, by the way.
You might say "Norse mythology" or "Christian mythology", but both of those refer to the stories within the religions.
2006-09-14 16:19:38 · answer #2 · answered by effin drunk 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Some people find the Jesus myth and all his bizarre miracles more believeable than the stories about Zeus..I say go to Crete and spend some time alone in the hills there and see if you still feel the same, I did it.
2006-09-14 16:27:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Religion is something one, or a group of people truly believe in.
A myth is technically fake, or never meant to be true. The stories of the greek gods were made up, but then followed by many (as many cults can do as well).
2006-09-14 16:20:38 · answer #4 · answered by xrionx 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
maybe because it depends on the type of religion... god isn't a religion. and zeus isn't a creator of everything... isn't really considered a religion... it might've been a long time ago to the greeks... I don't know if it still is.
All religion is all mixed up and sometimes unbelievable, I don't even know what to believe in anymore.
2006-09-14 16:23:00 · answer #5 · answered by Mariaish 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Is the correct terminology "religion" or "reality?" Zeus is fairy tales, like Aesop's fables (but those are more universally applicable and have SOME value). The God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is the one true and living God. If you don't believe that, that's fine. Just keep hanging out.
2006-09-14 16:23:23 · answer #6 · answered by firebyknight 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
God isn't a religion. He is a deity. Christianity, Judaeism, Islam and Buddism are religions. If you wanted to worship Zeus, Thor, etc., then they would be gods, as well.
2006-09-14 16:21:02 · answer #7 · answered by AuroraDawn 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
zeus and thor are real god the thing is you let the christians then thay brainwashed you country and that was it you losts your gods and got a fake instead
2006-09-14 16:22:10 · answer #8 · answered by andrew w 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because there are churches, synagogues and mosques were God is worshipped.
But there are no active temples to Zeus or Thor that have regular worshippers -- they represent "dead" religions and myths.
Once Christianity, Judiasm and Islam die out, their "God" will be a mythological figure, also.
2006-09-14 16:20:55 · answer #9 · answered by urbancoyote 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋
The fact that a current group of people still believe and practice it makes it a religion. A lack of belief and practice makes it a a myth.
2006-09-14 16:20:05 · answer #10 · answered by Tall Blonde Spaz 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋