QuarianRex and Fyron, I think you both make good points on this one. Pinning down terminology is a very messy business because it's so flexible, and so "user" driven.
QuarianRex has a point, because unfortunately (in my view) mythology does have connotations of untruth, or half-truth, in our society. One of the meanings listed in my dictionary for mythological is "fabulous, imaginary," and one of the listings for myth is "one of the fictions or half-truths forming a part of the ideology of a society." I do not know the origin of these negative connotations, but I have seen them applied to Christian mythology (by scientists - especially on evolution/creation) just as often as I have seen them applied to Homer. That, I think, is why QuarianRex had such a negative reaction to your categorization of the Bible as mythology.
On the other hand, my dictionary also has the following definition for mythos: "1. Myth. 2. Mythology. 3. The pattern of basic values and historical experiences of a people, characteristically transmitted through the arts." This defintion has no negative connotations, (for me anyway) and seems pretty close to the mark when it comes to the Bible and other religious texts (I'll set aside the issue of Homer, for now), and it serves as the basis for my previous argument.
So, you're right Fyron, we are talking about language. But I think it could be resolved, especially if you clarify your position. Do you mean to say that Christian religion is myth in the fabulous, half-truth sense, or are you making more of a cultural point that Christianity and the Christian mythos should be given equal value in our society with other religions and their mythoi? If the latter is the case, I would wholeheartedly agree.
PS Cool new avatar QuarianRex (although I did like the historical one) - is that a particular character from fantasy or SF?
[ March 13, 2003, 15:25: Message edited by: Chronon ]
Re: [OT] Plato\'s Pub and Philosophical Society
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