Religion can be mythology taken literally, and mythology can be religion understood poetically?

Question

With many thanks to BohdiDave, who posted this as part of his answer in another thread . . . opinions? Responses? What do you think of the concept?

Answer 1

I'm trying to think of a concise way to say what all I meant by that statement. It's simple, but not so easy to get across. I think I'll do it with an image (borrowed from religious scholar, John Crossan):

Imagine a statue of Abraham Lincoln swinging an axe to break the chains off the legs of a slave.

Did that really happen? No.

Is it true? Yes

For many persons, such a statue could be a valued and powerful poetic symbol for something deeply meaningful and important .to them ... but that doesn't mean those people believe it literally happened. Kind of like that, many cultures that employ myth don't actually think their stories and mythic images describe literal historical events (and they don't think of them as scientific explanations for things, either). But they know in another, and ultimately more important sense, that those stories are "true" for them.
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Answer 2

I think the distinguishing factor are the believers.
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, with some sort of a hierarchic structure of functionary worshippers).

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 3

Interesting question.

I see mythology as poetic fantasy without the fear added to religion. I suppose there is retribution in mythology as well, but it seems more like a Walt Disney production in my mind.

Religion is cut and dry with no room for variation or the differences in people. It is the 'my way or the highway' mentality that takes the fantasy out of it.

Answer 4

Poems are individual ways of expressing their authors sensory perceptions, ideas, visions, and experiences.

God is poetic in that he can be seen in so many ways; Nature the Cosmos, our souls, sacred texts & guides like Buddah or Jesus. The light of knowledge seeking and understanding is there to learn from Plato and Airstotle. We must examine the world through our own senses and experiences because we have nothing else to rely on. God is available in so many ways.

One God many faces, individualy tailored for the worshipers bennefit and uderstanding.

Answer 5

Wrong on all counts. Religion is simply mythology that's still in practice. Or even more accurately, religion is mythology with followers that feel it's superior to other myths.

We are still very much in the Dark Ages.

[Edit] Okay, thumbs-downers. Why don't you worship Thor, but do worship God? How much credence do you give the Wind Spirit? You've been discredited. Have a nice day!

Answer 6

Mythology was a religion and taken quit literally by those who worshiped and practice their beliefs.
Almost anything can be called poetically if done tactfully and tastefully

Answer 7

That is an interesting thought. I like!

Answer 8

I'm not offended, but you better duck real quick...here it comes!

Answer 9

true, true