Is there a spiritual requirement for myth?

Started by dave420, February 21, 2010, 10:37:30 AM

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SuperSillyK

I agree!

I find mythology is more often an extreme example of human nature, broken into different representatives.

Elements besides "gods" are a little less complex and confusing in nature.

I believe it really showcases how confused humans can be about themselves, their own complex intellect -- tamed or otherwise, and our own differences.

It may have a spiritual side hear or there, but it would be more like drawing a spiritual conclusion of your own from your personal experiences.

They give you a lot of confusing information, and the judgement calls or values taken from it are really those of the recipient.

I still enjoy the insight into the pasts imagination, but I am glad humanity is horrifying and confusing for me whenever something unusual happens.

I would say they are best enjoyed in speculation, when your spirit is not confused. Understanding a culture's imagination in the past can just plain be escapist, fun, but also give some insight into how fearful the ancient days were....

And how bravery and foolishness can become a confusing slippery slope.

williamnielsen

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BikerDude

#17
I think there is a human imperative to encapsulate certain generational wisdom in stories.
I don't think there is any requirement to believe in any particular stories.
But it's likely that the core ideas of any of the stories/myths that survive long periods of time will be echoed in many other stories and myths across cultures.
So requirement? No.
But one way or another the lessons and principles that the myths illustrate will penetrate everyone's psyche.
They are knitted into everything in society.
Unfortunately, because they are so old, many are mixed together with a lot of nonsense, superstitions and garbage.
The big problem is that we anoint these beliefs as unchallengedly true despite their obvious obsolescence.
It's a tension that causes people to resort to violence in defense of the absurd.

Unless we are talking Nihilists.
They believe in nothing.



Out here we are all his children