Why are the Greek gods considered mythology?

Question

No one knows what happens after we die, so why can it be considered myth? I'm not Pagan, I'm Catholic, but this still aggravates me.

Answer 1

some religions are so obviously made up. that's what we're dealing with when it comes to the Greek gods

Answer 2

There are two different things.

1. Ancient Greek religion is the worship and cult of the Greek gods in the classical world with sacrifices and festivals.

2. Ancient Greek mythology is a collection of traditional stories about Greek gods and heroes -- most of these have nothing to do with religion.

For a comparison, in Christianity the story of Saint George and the Dragon is Christian mythology and not Christian religion -- some also describe fabulous stories like Noah's Flood and Adam and Eve as Christian myth.

We also speak of the Hindu religion and Hindu mythology -- one is the living religion practised by the Hindus of India, the other is a collection of fabulous stories told by these people.

So in short the religious beliefs are separate from the folk stories.

Answer 3

According to Dictionary.com, a 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.

And MYTHOLOGY has the following definition:

A body or collection of myths belonging to a people and addressing their origin, history, deities, ancestors, and heroes.

Using these definitions we see that every religion in the world can be labeled under mythology including Christianity. In fact you may find Christian myth interesting to study. Especially since it often demonizes pagan deities or turns certain pagan gods into saints.

The reason Modern Christians refer to other more ancient religions as MYTH or PAGAN is because it helps boost the appeal of Christianity ("the one true religion" according to Christians) while belittling the competition. It also helps them cover up the atrocities the Church has committed against innocent pagans in the name of one God. The Church has had a strict policy since its conception when it comes to any other belief system it considers a threat--assimilate or belittle and destroy. Sad but true :-(

Any truly enlightened, civilized person with a mind of his/her own would find this aggravating. Why? because it's underhanded, misleading behavior and a huge abuse of power.

As for the Ancient Greek religion... It isn't long dead. It's still practiced today: http://www.comcast.net/news/international/europe/index.jsp?cat=EUROPE&fn=/2007/01/21/567198.html&cvqh=itn_zeus

Oh and to MJAL? Are you kidding us with that Herculean post of yours? The question wasn't about Hercules it was about why certain ancient religions are considered mythological. Next time, try to stick more on topic and only pick out key passages that support your answer, please. Whew!

Answer 4

It's 100% cultural based- and by that, I mean Christian culture based. When Christianity began to move across Europe and the world, any other belief system was seen as mythology by Christians because it couldn't have been true. According to them, the Bible was truth. So Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Celtic, Norse- everything got labeled as "mythology" to express that it was just stories.

I personally refer to the Bible as mythology, same as I do with Hinduism or any of the pagan religions. It has nothing to do with "proof" because let's face it, there's no way anybody can prove any of it is true. It was simply how the mass of people looked at Greek religion compared to Christian religion.

Answer 5

because of the fact there's a distinction between mythology and faith. There are nonetheless Pagans who worship Greek and Roman gods... myself coated, yet I nonetheless evaluate the memories mythology. that would not advise I evaluate the Gods mythology. i would not call Christianity mythology purely like i would not call Hellenism mythology. yet I call the Bible and the classic Greek myths mythology.

Answer 6

Primarily because of christian egocentricism. christians think nothing of denigrating the metaphysics of other cultures while indulging in the fantasy that their own is somehow more actual.

The amazing thing here is that, for once, christians are actually correct.

The Greek writings, sagas and stories are, in fact, metaphysics just like all such supernatural contemplations ever thought up, anywhere, by anybody.

If you read the Greeks, they have very little of what we normally consider as ..."religion"... expressed in their, so called, mythology; christians think nothing about copying much of their own "original" dogma from the Greeks.

This same christian penchant for self delusion served this country well, from the standpoint of the newly arrived Europeans, when the newly arrived white people from Europe decided to pronounce native Americans to be sub-human and heathens squatting on land god obviously intended to stolen from them by delf absorbed christians.

Not the happiest time in our history.

Answer 7

It is simple we (as a Christian-dominated society) call the stories about other cultures/religions deities/gods "mythology", but when we talk about our own god we call it "theology". Its form of religious propaganda originally pushed by the early Catholic church in order to assimilate new members. We consider our religion (Christianity) as real so the stories of Jesus and the One-True-God are called theology, the stories of the Greek(...and Roman/Norse/Hindu/etc...) Pantheon(s) are not real (to us) so they are called Mythology. Just so you know the cultures that still practice praying to multiple gods do not call it mythology...they call it religion.
Ultimately, whats considered Mythology and whats considered Theology is a matter of perspective.

Answer 8

The story was Greek and Roman-based and it has been presented to the general public for years. Since it has not been proven, it would continuously be accepted as myth.

Answer 9

I ask the EXACT same question. Shouldn't it all be mythology or some 'idea'?

Ever since the idea of monotheism came about, those ancient culture's belief systems were labeled myths. Why? Good Question.

Answer 10

even though I do not believe in this it is because the Greeks were the ones who believed in Greek gods and then the Greeks used story's about their gods to tell myths.So now it is called Greek mythology because some are still told today!

Answer 11

Because the greek gods where used to tell stories about why and how things happen and because people thing there is no prof they are real. Which I think is dumb, theres no real prof god is real. Even though I am a cristan I belive in all the gods and goddess.