Why can't we call current religions "mythology"?

Question

Modern scholars label old beliefs "mythology", i.e. Greek Mythology, Egyptian Mythology, etc. But existing religions also believe in supernatural things: god(s)/supreme being(s), afterlives, mythical stories, magic/miracles, sacrifices/korbans, rituals/prayings, etc. The elements are all the same. Even the economics of temples/churches/mosques are practically the same.

Of course current 6-billion believers prefer to be perceived as believers of truths instead believers of myths. But that's just for ego and political purpose. Taking these aside, why can't we call current religions "mythology"?

I love intellectual thoughts. So with all due respect, please give me reasoning that makes sense. We have enough of "but god is true", "you are just not enlightened yet", "you atheists go to hell", hard-to-eat biblical quotations, and the likes.

Answer 1

Mythology is the cultural outgrowth of the collective unconscious. Religion is the conscious ritualized expression of that.

Yes, I do call it mythology. Check out the works of Joseph Campbell, I think you'll dig it.

By the way, I am not an atheist nor a bible thumper.

Mythology is not a set of facts to be proven true, OR disproven as false. It is a different catagory altogether. Atheists and fundementalists miss the point of religion and mythology because they are always treating it like a set of facts rather than part of the emotional/subconscious/dreamstate/heartlife/instinctual entity that it comes from.

Answer 2

Well, mythology is the study of the myths themselves. The bible, the koran, and all modern religions are filled with myths. Religious studies professors talk in terms of myths as well. However, there is a subtle distinction between myths in current use (religious studies) and discarded myths found by people to be inadequate for their world (mythology). There probably should be such a distinction for non-academics. One does discuss operational systems of thinking, the other discusses prior systems of thought.

There is a strong political element, but not at the academic level.

Answer 3

Mythology is a type of religious superstition in which stories are truly made up in order to appease the questioning mind. Some of these "myths" though bear resemblance to the truth. Most of the ancient religions which were ever taken seriously by any large group of people can be shown to reflect the one true religion. In other words, a strong case can be made that many of these once were true religion, but degenerated into myths that now only vaguely resemble the truth. What is this one true religion I speak of? The one that God Himself, through his Holy Spirit, will confirm to you directly when you pray in faith. Never had such an experience? Keep looking.

Answer 4

Actually, its not the religions themselves that are considered mythology, its the stories that the religions are based on.

So technically, you could say that Christianty is based on the myths of the Great Flood, Jesus's resurrection, etc. and it wouldn't be incorrect.

Answer 5

Go right ahead. There's no reason not to except that the believers don't like it. They prefer to think their particular brand of mythology is real. Just like everyone in history has wanted their particular brand of mythology to be real.

Answer 6

For the same reason all of these questions are not under the Mythology and Folklore section; political correctness.

Answer 7

A "myth" has no historical basis whatsoever and is a story used to teach a certain lesson.

"An improvable story, almost always including incredible or miraculous events, that has no specific reference point or time in history."

...Meanwhile religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism etc. have fixed historical events that they are based on (e.g. birth of Christ, 0 AD)

The word you're looking for is legend, which is kind of like a myth that has ROOTS in truth, but may not be true itself.

Answer 8

Something that is still believed in by many people, despite a small minority that disagrees, is not a myth. Until something is disproven or forgotten or simply no longer believed in, it can't technically be a myth.

Answer 9

I do refer to all of them as myths. I believe that all myths have purpose, if not some truth.

Answer 10

Call it what you like, it's all the same in the end, when God gets hold of ya he's gunna cram a myth up your ology. Cheers