What is the difference between mythology and religion?

Answer 1

Mythology is a very old, expired religion that isn't practiced as much anymore.

Answer 2

Myth: n, from the Greek mythos. 1. a traditional story serving to explain some phenomenon, custom, etc. 2. mythology. 3. any ficticious story, person or thing.

Mythology: n. 1. the study of myths. 2. myths collectively, as of a specific people

Religion: n, from the Latin religio, holiness. 1. belief in and worship of God or gods. 2. a specific system of belief, worship, etc., often involving a code of ethics.


Myth seems to be a better word, as mythology is the study of myths, where theology is the study of religion. What we now know as the Greek myths were once a widely practiced religion in ancient times. Now they are mere legends and mythical folktales. One has to wonder how a religion becomes a myth.

My own personal opinion is that science eventually uncovers the truth and makes certain religious practices and beliefs obsolete. Take lightning, for example. Back in ancient Rome and Greece, people who were struck down by lightning, didn't get a proper burial as they were thought to have angered Zeus/Jove(Jupiter). Now, we know not to be out in the open fields during a storm as lightning is nothing more than a huge static charge between clouds and the ground.

Some things are more easily proven scientifically than others, of course. Science has yet to prove anything towards the afterlife, if it ever will as nobody's ever survived death and, well, obviously never will.

But it seems that religions can be considered myths, though not all myths can be considered religions. I suppose it all depends on your point of view what the difference is. Believers of any given religion will probably take offense to their beliefs being considered "mythology", where nonbelievers take religion like they do any myth...with a grain of salt.

Answer 3

Religion is a set of beliefs around a particular reality. Mythology is the stories used to understand that reality. They are not the same thing. Mythology can be true, or it can be made up. A myth is a "sacred story" used to describe a religious reality. The story can be true, or it can be made up, the point is what it is trying to teach.
The vast majority of people today think that a myth is necessarily false. This is not the case. All religions have myths in them, some may be true, some may not be.

Answer 4

If mythology consists of dead religions, all religions will eventually succumb to death, as the only the true Word will live in eternity as a deity to worship.

Answer 5

Mythology is the study of sacred stories about the world, creation and the creatures that inhabited the world.

Religion is a system based around a socially accepted set of beliefs.

Both have elements of truth and may contain elements of fantasy.

Answer 6

mythology could be true however unlikely. Religion is a money making scam

Answer 7

Mythology seems to me to be a dead religion. It was once believed but is not anymore.

Answer 8

Mythology is the study of myths-Perhaps from the same as G3453 (through the idea of tuition); a tale, that is, fiction (“myth”): - fable.

Any religion that does not teach the true word of God , and salvation through accepting Jesus as your savior to become born again, is a myth created by satan designed to mislead Christians away from God.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Stick with the KJV bible and you will not be misled.

Answer 9

Not too many people are getting killed over Mythology. Other than that, I really don't see any differences...

Answer 10

religion specifically is concerned with the worship of a god/gods, mythology is not