Should Christianity be counted as
Definition of Mythology:
a collection of myths, especially one belonging to a particular religious or cultural tradition.
Definition of Myth:
a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.
In accordance to the definitions given above, should Christianity be counted as "mythology"?
*If you wish to provide your own original definitions and use that to construct an argument then feel free to do so.
Yes
Side Score: 6
|
 |
No
Side Score: 3
|
|
|
|
|
2
points
One could argue with the fact that the bible does contain correct analysis of the society in that time, and it contains correct descriptions of places and the geography is mostly correct. So that makes the bible different from myths, and also myths are often very very fairy tale like, while the bible has some fairy tale episodes, but it isn't all magic if you read the whole thing. Myths are usually .. it's a dragon away from being disney. But if we take the definition and stop thinking of how myths usually are, then christianity fits perfectly to this definition you provided. Side: Yes
1
point
|
1
point
'Christianity' would not be considered mythology. Christianity is a religion. Only the texts and stories the religion is based on (Primarily the bible) qualify as mythology, and a religion is far more than just a book. Christianity refers not to the bible, but rather to the people who profess belief in the contents of the bible, and the organization and doctrine surrounding each group of said believers. A pastor is part of Christianity- he is not a myth. A church is part of Christianity- it is not a myth. When we refer to mythology, such as Norse Mythology, Greek mythology, etc- we are only concerned with the stories that the religions are founded on. We do not also consider the people who believed in this religion, the physical temples wherein it was practiced, etc as the mythology- only the stories. That said- there is no problem with referring to the stories in the Bible as mythology. These and other things are commonly referred to as 'The Judeochristian mythos.' Many of the faithful object to having their stories classified as 'mythology' because it carries the connotation of falsehood. This is not the case. While it's true that the term 'myth' can be used to indicate falsehood, that usage is more in-line when one is discussing things such as urban legends. Mythology, in the context of stories religions are based on, does not imply falsehood- all it implies is that the stories deal with the supernatural and are not verifiable via evidence. Side: No
|
