Why do religions always make use of mythology?

Question

Are we suppose to take the myths as facts, or see the symbolism in them? What's the use of mythology?

truth_see...: True, but even eastern religions use some mythology, not as much as western religions but there is still some.

Answer 1

It's the symbology that conveys messages to those who cannot read

Answer 2

Mythology is in no way limited to religion. If you see mythology as Gods on a mountain, then your view of mythology is severly limited. One of the things I teach is financial decision making. The mythology running through the profession is enormous, whether it is by ordinary people or professionals, the use of myth is significant.

Myth is how people organize their existence when dealing with complex issues. From a statisticians perspective, it is a lot like the concept of the principal component. Principal component analysis hides more than it shows in many cases, yet used properly it is a valuable tool. A principal component is a variable that describes a lot of the variation seen in nature, but is a function of many other variables (or they may be a function of the principal component). If you are conscious you are speaking of a principal component, then it is no big deal, but if you are looking at the principal component as the reality, then you tend to be wrong but don't realize it.

Mythology operates a lot like that. The myth contains a lot of information that is true, but for most purposes is a poor or deceptive descriptor of reality when you stray from the meaning or intent of the myth.

Answer 3

good point my friend. Essentially christians take symbolism in the mythology, for example if i ask christians if dinosaurs existed. They will answer yes in the bible it states that there were Giants, in other words they take words symbolically. the sad truth is, that the bible is a mix of mythology(the old testament is completely fake) and fact(jesus did exist), its much like a book from ancient greek mythology where people back then believed in it(Homers Odysseu and the Illiad)

Answer 4

Labels.
Let's look at that word called labels for a second.

When something is labeled and watered down for minimal understanding, people don't see much, if anything at all.

Now, when people gain knowledge and try to implement that into their everyday life, their previous experiences allow them to look for more.

So, just like a myth could just be a story for some, others could see it as wisdom or knowledge bundled in a story by word of mouth begging people to look deeper.

But, to put a story behind even the most basic concepts makes them spectacular and amazing to experience as you understand them and why the myth was written.

Let's take Prometheus for example.

Was it Fire the marshmallow roasting kind, or FIRE as in passion consuming the soul.

You decide what you want to see.

Answer 5

I'd like to challenge "balanced1..." or anyone else for that matter to NOT use a mixture of symbolism or mythology in their speech. You cannot tell a story or even give directions without using some sort of symbolism or mythology.

They did it then and we do it now. Simple as that.

Answer 6

mythology in Ancient Times may have been the mainstay religious belief system accepted by the culture and society until a better system was either peacefully or forcefully forced upon them.

Answer 7

I don't think that you'll find the Laws of Yahweh in the mythology section.

Answer 8

Mythology is used to relate to people, their cultures, eduction, and to help them accept a concept.

Answer 9

I am not sure that they do. I don't ever take myths as facts. Interesting question though.

Answer 10

Because it's all mythology.

Answer 11

Just donate your money.

If mythology helps convince you that they are right, then they'll use it.

Don't beleive in resurrected carpenters that save your soul? how bout the tooth Fairy then?

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