What defines myth? Christians, please come in...?

Question

I'm being friendly. Here, have a cookie. Have a soft pillow. You cozy? Good!

Now, about myth...how can you really define myth? The ancient greeks didn't think Zeus was a "myth" however it's clear to us that he was. So...how do we define myth and how do we know that we aren't believing in one?

Myth is...? What? Fill in the blank. A talking snake? Flaming swords in gardens? A righteous god smiting the earth with vengence?

In short, how do you know that what YOU believe in isn't a myth but what "everybody else believes in" is? How do you know the difference?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Well, dictionary.com tells me myth is defined as: a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, esp. one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature.

I've realized that when it comes to insisting that one mythology is "actually true" while all the others are "just stories", it's all about feelings, indoctrination and popularity. Generally people are indoctrinated into Christianity since birth, but there are those who "come to Christianity" on their own (I have a friend who did this), and if it isn't indoctrination, it's about feelings and popularity.

Zeus isn't popular any more. Neither is Quetzalcoatl or Ra. But Yahweh... he's still in vogue. And people FEEL that their faith is valid, more valid than all the other faiths so many others FEEL is more valid than all others, so of course that intense feeling of conviction is a part of Christian faith.

The whole problem with religious faith is that it encourages people to let their feelings sit behind the steering wheel. If it feels very very "right" and "true" then by golly it surely must be, yes? And if an ancient text written by ignorant Bronze Age nomads says you're right, well, who could refute THAT?

Answer 2

the mythology of the Ukraine was centered around a god called dazh-bokh. (Sun Deity) It wasn't pooh-poohed, their faith in God was validated, just explained a little more in detail. I think the people who converted the Ukraine were actually kind of smart. They taught the people how to read and write their own language, and the King of the country did not like the Viking tradition of burial (which at the time was burying the household with the man who had died.)

There were a few people who lived in that land as happy Pagans, the Character Conan the Barbarian was based upon this area, and there were Amazons who lived there (great to pull the wool over those Greek eyes), Scythians, and some other culture that had a lot of gold. (It probably ended up on the pyramids, or in Solomon's treasury.)

What was the question again?
I think I rambled there for a bit.

Answer 3

when I think of myths, i think of the old greek and roman myths. Stories about Zuess and Aries. Hercules and Jason. Those old stories.

Why do I think they are myths? Because that is what my english teacher told me......

What makes a myth a myth? I have no idea. How do I know what I believe isn't a myth? I don't know. Maybe in 2000 years the people of earth will be like our ancestors believed this myth, but we now know....

Until then, well, I will still believe what I believe.

And, with all respect, you can believe what you want to believe to! I think we can all believe what we choose to believe and that is what makes us all so wonderful and unique.

Answer 4

Faith isn't about being so absolutely sure that what I believe is always right. I have been wrong before. But when my own personal experiences lead me to believe a certain way, then I continue to do so. It is not about feelings, as was suggested because feelings can change but a constant perspective does not. For example, my constant perspective is that God loves me, and is always there for me. I continue to believe this even when I "feel" depressed or angry.

I really liked SDW's answer. the only other thing I'll add is that what "makes sense" to me must always make sense in order for it to become who I am. A person of faith does not have all the answers but that is where the "faith" part comes. What is true or what is myth is in the eye of the beholder.

Answer 5

I believe that all religion is a myth. People create Gods to answer their questions about the unknown. If you look at the Greeks or Romans you will see. Things that we can prove today scientifically such as why it rains and why there are different seasons were unknowns to them. I think that people still believe because it is a lot easier to say God did it than it is to understand how complicated it is to explain science. Many people also fear death so it gives them hope.

Answer 6

ooo thanks you...I do love a cookie.

Anyway, I ain't too sure about this one. I guess it all depends on what you believe.

I think that asking "how do you know that what YOU believe in isn't a myth " is just the same as asking, "how do you know that God is real." If you don't believe he is there then I guess he is just a myth to you. Considerering that you can't "prove" the existence of God.

Answer 7

A story that contains truth, but for which the details might not be totally true. Much of Genesis is myth, for example.

Answer 8

God myths are religions that people stopped believing in. History suggests that all Gods eventually end up on the myth stack. Although by the answers here I surmise that Christian god is still kicking it, expect his demise in the next 1000-2000 year ballpark range. And if he doesn't go, the Christian faith has a high mutation rate (look at all those offshoots!) so chances are by the year 4000 you wouldn't recognise it as Christianity anyway.

Answer 9

myths are stories based on a hero or heroes that uses a lot of common symbols or imagery to portray a higher message. By definition, it's not based on fact. It doesn't aim to describe the earth but rather to describe its people.

Myth isn't a synonym for fairy-tale.

Answer 10

Obviously snakes don't talk. The stories are representations.
I think the problem lies in all the changes over the years and fundamentalists using the word to fit their agendas.

God is real. I would force my beliefs on anybody else.

But I guess you never really know, that's where faith comes in but I guess you have a point none of us know for a fact until we die and see what's next.