Serious answers will be appreaciated.
2006-12-01 06:21:15 · 31 answers · asked by John L 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think it was Joseph Campbell who wrote that "mythology is other people's religion."
2006-12-01 06:26:20 · answer #1 · answered by Underground Man 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Folklore usually doesn't create a core belief in a person, which would separate it from R&S. To me this would include local legends. Santa might even fall under folklore.
Mythology is a bit more tricky. Some people would say that mythology includes stories told by different cultures that are not part of a core belief system. Some people might say that something like, say, the Greek and Roman gods are no longer an active religion and therefore are relegated to myth.
2006-12-01 14:27:49 · answer #2 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It appears the two are separated by the collective and the way they are passed along.
Mythology is a collection of myths.(Real Basic)
Folklore is a collection of our Family stories (genealogy), traditions in the community, and allot of story telling for helping children go to sleep.
It is Friday and the gathering at the community barn, with buffet, barn dancing, and hay or sleigh rides would be a gathering where folklore still exists.
2006-12-01 14:42:25 · answer #3 · answered by d4d9er 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mythology is made up of myths and folk tales. Religions are about faith. Santa Claus is a myth. Bugs Bunny is a myth. There is religion and it is about God. Religion is about faith in God. Superman is a myth. Star Trek is a myth. Myth is fiction and people know it is fiction. Religion is what people believe on faith that it is real. If god's and goddesses are real then people would have to believe in a realm of spirit beings. I happen to believe there is a realm of spirit beings. But they are not god. They were created by God however. They were created for good and not evil. However I believe there are good spirits and bad spirits. The angels are sent by God to help us and protect us. The demons disguise themselves in many ways because they want to be worshiped like God. In looking at it this way, i think that these spirit beings are not myth, however myths have grown up aroung them.
Good question.
2006-12-01 18:52:24 · answer #4 · answered by cathyhewed1946 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think some of the answers are close. It's really a question of "cultural distance." (And it can be measure in time and/or actual miles).
As supernatural constructs are superseded by others, they graduate to "mythical" status. This depends on there not being significant numbers of people who are still too "close" to the expiring dogmas. It's also easy for cultures to consider the religions of remote societies as "mythological." The fact that this is perfectly symmetrical doesn't seem to provoke any cognitive discomfort.
2006-12-01 14:31:10 · answer #5 · answered by JAT 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My own $0.02 - Religion and Spirituality implies a current, active belief. Folklore and Mythology implies stories that are historical but not actively believed.
That being said, one man's mythology is another man's religion...
2006-12-01 14:28:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
This question gets asked so often, I should have the answer in a keystroke.
Myths and folklore are stories people dont believe. Religion and Spirituality are things people do believe in. I dont believe in Zeus so to me, he is myth/folklore. If you believe and follow Zues, he is your religion/spirituality.
2006-12-01 14:26:02 · answer #7 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The difference is that they are different topics of discussion. While some folklore may be religious in nature, it isn't necessarily so.
And religious discussions are often abstract enough, that no narrative aspect comes into it - clearly such a discussion would not be topical to the other forum.
2006-12-01 14:24:27 · answer #8 · answered by evolver 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Mythology and folklore applies to dead religions. It's for beliefs that nobody buys into any more. Like Zeus for example.
2006-12-01 14:24:14 · answer #9 · answered by robtheman 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Greek Gods, The Burmuda Triangle, The Blaire Witch, these are examples of Mythology and Folklore.
Religion and Spirituality is beliving in God with your whole heart, loving Him, worshiping Him. Believing there is more to life than I'm here then I die. Believing God created this beautiful planet and universe for us all to live in and enjoy. Believing God created us all, and wants us all to be in Heaven with Him when we die, believing we were born sinners but, He sent his only son to die for our sins so that we may be forgiven them and go to Heaven to be with Him if we only accept and believe. Spirituality is the part inside of you that God touches, that you feel when you know you are saved, it's a wonderful feeling to be in God's family. Spirituality, is the part where you feel His presence when in time of need, in time of troubles, when you pray and ask for his help and guidance. Spirituality is the warm feeling you get when reading the Bible, God's book, reading God's story, getting closer to him.
Religion and Spirituality is gathering on Sundays and Wednesdays to meet with others to worship Him together, to share in the glory of Him.
You see, M&F are tales told to amuse people, for fun, or scare.
Religion & Spirituality, is in the heart of every Christian, every Believer of a Higher Power. R&S means something special to us that believes in God, Jesus Christ. It's REAL to millions of people around the world.
Spirituality>your inner self, your essence.
2006-12-01 14:47:56 · answer #10 · answered by creeklops 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have wondered the same thing myself.
Actually spiritual practices like meditation are a worthwhile topic so I can give the nod to spirituality.
2006-12-01 14:23:56 · answer #11 · answered by The Chaos Within 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋