Should we combine "Religion & Spirituality" with "Mythology & Folklore"?

Question

Why do we say "Greek mythology" and Christianity? How about Greek religion and Christian mythology? If you believe in religious texts, then both Myths and Religions are real. If you don't, then neither are real.

That's a sufficiently controversial topic. Discuss!

Arnon - very funny, but less contreversial

trebor namyl hcaeb - what the h*ll are you talking about?

Janet - good points, no evidence. spirit mediums are as controversial a subject as ghosts.

HawaiianBrian - good quotes, thanks for taking it seriously

Answer 1

You asked: “Should we combine "Religion & Spirituality" with "Mythology & Folklore"? A thought-provoking question! While we’re at it we should include Philosophy as well and kill 3 birds with one stone, since they all overlap. I'm sure the mythology and philosophy buffs would add some fresh blood around here (so to speak).

A one sentence definition of mythology? "Mythology" is what we call someone else's religion.
— Joseph Campbell

A myth is a religion in which no one any longer believes.
— James Feibleman

To become a popular religion, it is only necessary for a superstition to enslave a philosophy.
— William Ralph Inge (1922)

Generally speaking, the errors in religion are dangerous; those in philosophy only ridiculous.
— David Hume, (1739)

Philosophy has no end in view, save truth. Faith looks for nothing but obedience and piety.
— Baruch Spinoza, (1632-1677)

A myth is a fixed way of looking at the world which cannot be destroyed because, looked at through the myth, all evidence supports the myth.
— Edward De Bono

Each religion, by the help of more or less myth which it takes more or less seriously, proposes some method of fortifying the human soul and enabling it to make its peace with its destiny.
— George Santayana

I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world, and do not find in ours (Christianity) one redeeming feature. They are all alike, founded upon fables and mythologies."
— Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

The poets were not alone in sanctioning myths, for long before the poets the states and the lawmakers had sanctioned them as a useful expedient.... They needed to control the people by superstitious fears, and these cannot be aroused without myths and marvels.
— Strabo, (ca. B.C.E. 58 to C.E. 24), Greek geographer

The myths about Hades and the gods, though they are pure invention, help to make men virtuous.
— Diodorus Siculus, c. 20 BC

There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.
— Anne Nicol Gaylor

There is something feeble and a little contemptible about a man who cannot face the perils of life without the help of comfortable myths. Almost inevitably some part of him is aware that they are myths and that he believes them only because they are comforting. But he dares not face this thought! Moreover, since he is aware, however dimly, that his opinions are not rational, he becomes furious when they are disputed.
— Bertrand Russell

The true contrast between science and myth is more nearly touched when we say that science alone is capable of verification.
— George Santayana (1863-1952)

Poetry, mythology, and religion represent the world as man would like to have it, while science represents the world as he gradually comes to discover it.
— Joseph Wood Krutch, (1893-1970)

Answer 2

The answer is no. Religion and Spirituality are the channels to our self enlightenment, comfort, wisdom, security and protection. Mythology and Folklore are stories and tales that people tell through generations, almost making believe they were real. There is no connection at all. However, some tales might be taken as spiritual and some true spiritual facts might be taken as mythology and folklore by mistake. Example: Casper, the ghost or any other tale of ghosts would certainly be folklore; spirits that communicate with mediums is a fact, therefore spirituality. Greek gods, mythology; saints and entities, spirituality.

Peace!

Answer 3

Well you are partly correct. I am a muslim and I have to agree with you , TO AN EXTENT. Of course atheist will see AL religions as myth and folklore, but people of faith only see other religions outside their own ans myth and folklore. A good secular reason not to combine them is that people like me who DO believe in a higher power would not even look under that category because it would not even cross our minds that such a category would apply to us. This would defeat the purpose of having an open forum because only atheist would participate because theiosts wouldn't (a) thunk theyir faith was included and (b would be offended at its inclusion if they did know it was included. I think the current format is the best because atheists and religionists all seem to find the religion category and are using it quite frequently to express their views. I hope this answers your question PEACE

Answer 4

Well... it would certainly make the religion and spirituality discussion board more interesting. Seriously, I've answered just about 250 questions about Christianity, and the rest i've had to hunt down to find. I've seen maybe two legit questions on Islam, and ZERO on any other religion. Its time for a serious change.

For the Mythology and Folklore board, I can only see the board getting worse. If they wanted to field a bunch of questons on Christianity, I'm sure they'd come here....
...So maybe, for the Mythology and Folklore board's sanity, we should keep it seperate.

Its just too bad the religious board is so full of Christianity. Its not that Christianity or Christians are so bad, (cough, cough)... ok maybe sometimes they can get kind of mean, but they're not all bad.... Its just that its constantly Christian. It can get really dull.

Answer 5

Mythology is really ancient history. Why can't people accept that many fantastic, unbelievable things have happened on this planet? There are giants in the bible. But, if you mention the titans in Greek mythology the giants are fiction. We have been played a double standard on religion and history. What are the "elect" over us so afraid of should humans discover the truth of their beginnings and life here? Excellent question you have posted. I believe they should be combined. For they are one and the same.

Answer 6

The reason people don't say "Christian mythology" is because people in the world currently practice it. Give it another thousand years, and it will likely [and hopefully] be just a mythology of the past, along with Islamic mythology. Especially Islamic mythology, considering that Islam is essentially a revamped (and much more dangerous) form of the ancient Arabian mythologies.

I think it's funny in a sad kind of way that Christians can be so ignorant and closed-minded that they look at ancient mythologies as silly and "just a myth," yet they see their own ridiculous mythology as absolute truth.

Answer 7

That's true but remember that Christianity is the major religious group in this part of the world. Right now some christian are working on the elimination of different points of views, like atheist, on R&S. In contrary to your recomendation this place is follow the way of the specialisation to form in a near future a Christian, Atheist, Muslim and so on subcategories.

Answer 8

Leave it as it is.
We Atheists know that Religions are Mind Control tools used by the scammers to elicit money from the gullible.
If True Believers™ want to believe in some particular brand of Invisible Sky Critter because they can't bear the thought that procreation is the only purpose for our lives, let them.
I'll just continue to make fun of them every chance I get.
I love it when xians say that Thor and Zeus are myths totally oblivious to the fact they are being Atheists in regards those gods in which they don’t believe.
They just don’t get it that we Atheists believe in only ONE less god than they do.

Answer 9

Religion &Spirituality and mythology & folklore are two separate events. The former is real while the latter is not real. Thus, Christianity is based from the WORDS OF GOD through the HOLY SPIRIT while the myth is a human inventions through the deceptions of satan. Christianity is headed in the various christian churches by Prophets/ Saints and their disciples called the chosen among natural men; then the priests, pastors, bishops, ministers etc and they are under the HOLY SPIRIT. On one hand, the human govt under the Presidents, Prime Minister, senators, governors, and their myths are under satan who always deceives them including their myths. THANKS GOD; FEAR GOD; PRAISE GOD; GLORIFY GOD; HONOR GOD; LOVE GOD AND WORSHIP GOD. Pls visit my website-

Answer 10

No. While I agree that Greek mythology is no more "mythical" than Christianity, I think the two topics are broad enough to each have their own section.
Maybe "Religion, Spirituality & Mythology" and "Folklore" as two separate sections.