What criteria determines whether a belief system is a religion or a mythology?

Answer 1

Belief and believers.
That's the distinguishing factor. If people believe in certain myths, and perform some sort of more-or-less organised rituals to honour divine beings or forces, then it counts as religion (or active belief. Religions are usually structured and organised).

If people don't believe in it anymore, and the stories are just preserved as tales, or books, or myths, then it's mythology.
Nowadays however, the lines are merging. People are trying to revive the old beliefs, they practice different forms of reconstructionism, and what was once thought to be a mere mythology can nowadays again become an active religion.

Answer 2

A mythology is a set of stories with explanatory power and moral instruction. So the Bible, which explains, for example, why people don't like snakes and why rainbows exist, and spends quite a bit of time on moral instruction, is a mythology.

A religion is essentially the organization set up to promote and protect a mythology. So Christianity is both a mythology and a religion.

Answer 3

A myth can be described as a story about the past that is told and retold in order to express certain values. Religion is a system that is set up around those myths, including ritual, symbols, ethics, and specific doctrine which is intended to express "ultimate relevance".

So if we discuss, say the story of Noah's ark, we are discussing mythology. If we discuss the doctrines and rituals practiced by those who believe that story, we're discussing religion.

I hope that made sense.

Answer 4

well from my understanding a belief system in it of itself is not a mythology but simply a type of philosophy.

while mythology would be stories that have a theological basis.

As such the Bible, Koran, the liliad and others can be though of as mythology (that dose not nessicarly discredit their factually) Troy was described in Greek mythology and only in modern times was it re-discovered.

such things as religions though are not mythologies but again theological theories.

Answer 5

Good question. I might give you a star for that one.

I think time is the determining factor. Over time all the key figures of the Greek and Roman religions were relegated to myth. It's only time until our current religious figureheads are relegated to myth as well.

Answer 6

Mythology is a religion in which no one any longer believes.
People are still believing in Religions.

Answer 7

The phrase 'belief system' gives me chills. It sounds like some kind of indoctrination program to keep control.... nevermind

Answer 8

If its something you believe in, its religion, if its not, its mythology.

Answer 9

People's personal opinion.

But it does seem, that if it's organized WITH followers, then it's viewed as a religion.

Answer 10

$
.
Nothing else.