Mythology

{{sources needed}}{{Religion}}
'''Mythology''' is the study of the stories and legends that inform a [[religion]] or [[culture]] about its [[law]]s, its [[history]], its [[moral]]s, its [[social construction]]s, and really everything else that define the culture or religion's [[worldview]].  The term "mythology" is also used to define the set of [[myth]]s that inform any particular religion.  Basically what ''we'' believe is religion or [[theology]] while what ''those others'' believe is legend or mythology.  

All religions have myths and associated mythologies; however, some members of contemporary religions (in particular, [[Christianity]] and [[Islam]]) expect their religions not to be held to the same standards as other religions when studied in a non-[[theology|theological]] setting, expressing the notion that their holy stories [[No True Scotsman|should not be termed "myths."]]

Despite the popular idea of myths as being something "false," neither [[truth]] nor lack of truth defines a myth. What makes a myth is how it impacts upon the culture and the culture's passing on of its standards.

==Study of mythology==
The study of a culture's mythology provides historians, [[Anthropology|anthropologists]], [[Sociology|sociologists]] and other scholars insight into world view of that culture.  For example, [[Coyote]]'s [[sex]]ual exploits in Lakota mythology would suggest to scholars that the Lakota were open about sexual encounters and accepted the humor inherent in sexual situations.<ref>http://www.manataka.org/page779.html</ref>  On the other hand, [[Eve]]'s shame at her [[naked]] body would indicate that the ancient [[Jew]]ish communities were more reserved about exposure of the body and about expressing sexual interest openly.

Parallel mythologies can be used to demonstrate who has influenced whom in the development of religion and culture.<ref group=note>[[Noah]], for example, is generally accepted to be a reworking of the [[Sumer|Epic of Gilgamesh]].</ref>  They can also demonstrate the distinctions in an individual religion's understanding of similar concepts shared by two or more religions.  Though they tell the same story of the [[Garden of Eden]], the two formative scrolls of ''Bereshit''<ref group=note>[[Genesis]]. No, not pronounced "bear [[shit]]."</ref> have fairly different images of [[God]]. As seen in the Adam and Eve story, one scroll ([[YHWH]]-Elohim) defines a highly personified god who is "heard" walking through the gardens, who "calls out" to the couple he has "lost" and cannot find.  He "guesses" by their modesty, that they have [[original sin|eaten of the fruit]].  This god is not [[Omnipotence|perfect]] nor [[Omniscience|all-knowing]].  In the second scroll, however,  YHWH is far less personified, acts from "on high," more indirectly and does not demonstrate the more "[[human]]" emotions of surprise and disappointment.

==National mythologies==
Not all mythology is [[Romanticism|associated with a religion]].  The [[United States]], for example, has a [[American exceptionalism|very particular mythology]] about its place it the world, apparent in the myths of the [[American Dream]] and of America as a supporter of [[human rights]], freedoms and [[democracy]].<ref group=note>This line is not to suggest that either myth is "truth," but that they are part of the fabric of the story of America.</ref>  This is part of a system of beliefs that scholars of religion have termed a [[civil religion]].

[[Nation]]al mythologies are an excellent source of [[pseudohistory]].  Some famous national myths include: [[George Washington]] and the cherry tree; that the [[American Revolution|Revolution]] was won simply because we are "better" (largely overlooking the importance of other world conflicts of the day).

==Mythology of science==
[[Scientific mythology|Mythology of science]] is also unrelated to religion as it involves [[scientific]] discoveries and/or inventions and the people behind them, such as the story of [[Isaac Newton]] and the apple. Notably, the one about [[Christopher Columbus]] on [[RationalWiki|RationalWiki's]] scientific mythology page would also fit under the previously mentioned American mythology.

Scientific mythology is also prone to contain pseudohistory.

== See also ==
*[[History]]
*[[Joseph Campbell]]
*[[Robert Graves]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

[[Category:Anthropology]]
[[Category:Folklore]]
[[Category:Myths and legends]]
[[Category:Religious terms]]

Categories: Anthropology, Folklore, Myths and legends, Religious terms