What is the difference between the greek myths, etc and religions?

Question

What's the difference betweent he Greek & Roman myths, Native American beliefs, etc, and present religons... we stopped beleiving in greek myths and egyptian, why did we start believing in the major religions we have now?

Answer 1

There isn't really that much of a difference when you get down to it. Religion evolves the same way that any other social institution evolves, with experience. The reason why some of the major world religions have such staying power is because they have developed into more existential philosophies. Those who are not Biblical literalists (and there are still plenty of those around) present their religions as matters of faith, and not matters of fact. Greek, Roman, Native American, South American, and many ancient beliefs were matters of fact. They were integral parts of every aspect of their culture. While American society is no doubt heavily influenced by Christianity, we don't rely on Christianity for every single thing that we do.

If you look at religion in America over the last 100 years (and I've decided to limit my answer to religion in America because the question is quite broad) we see swings of a pendulum, but we also see the axis that the pendulum is on move as well. Who knows where we'll be in another thousand years?

.....I added the following after I read the comment after mine.

Let me be clear. I know that many religions have been rubbed out by more powerful groups of people who were willing to do ugly things in order to be right. I would never intentionally say that any religion is more valid than any other, since I don't really believe in any particular religion. If you look at the dictionary definition of the word "myth," all religions fit. None are excluded. There isn't one religion on this planet that can be proven, period. This does not mean that all religions are B.S. Quite the opposite. It means that all religions are fully plausible. I will stand by my answer that some of the major world religions have maintained their followers through two means. One means, and it's the means that "Red Power" identifies correctly, is power. But the other is quite simple. They have evolved. By "more existential," I simply mean "more philosophical." Christianity has become more about internal struggles, and less about external actions. This is not to say that Native religions or Greek and Roman religions were not religions of the mind, for indeed they were and are. But Christianity, or at least liberal Christianity, is evolving into a religion almost entirely of the mind, similar to many eastern philosophies.

I'm sorry if I offended. That really wasn't my intention. All religions have the capability of being either harmful or helpful.

Answer 2

Why do the majority of people believe in the major religions of today? Because other religions were persecuted against by these religions. These religions forced people into their religion. It's true. Other religions were accepting of diversity but these religions called anyone who didn't practice them heathens, savages, and sinners. So they forced people to belong. Now because of this they have a large population.
Their creation stories are just as mythical as other creation stories.

Personally I respect all religions and spiritualities that don't cause harm to others. I even respect the Christian religions that have such a brutal history. I just wanted to say that because my post sounds kinda harsh but it is true.

Native American spirituality is not myths. It is culturally insensitive to refer to them as such, not saying that you did, just an FYI.
And there is actual evidence to go with much Native spirituality so whoever says its uncivilized etc... is very uneducated about the culture.

I am a Native woman.

Answer 3

you have kinda hit the nail on the pinnacle - the only definitely distinction is cutting-edge occurrence of perception. that's, if sufficient human beings at a given time have faith that a given set of myths are real, that's a faith. and you're additionally somewhat best that the present number of religions are very in all probability to finally be widely generally taking place because of the fact the myths they're. the version between a fable and a faith is purely cultural perception.