Myths and Religion

[Rev Sermon]

What is the difference between myths and religious beliefs. The stories of the ancient Greek gods are considered myth but most christians get quite upset that when it is suggested that the bible is just a fairytale. Is it just a question of what people currently believe?

[jake-the-peg]

Perhaps myths are just the fossilised remnants of extinct religions

[jproximo]

according to DAN BROWN christianity was introduced around the time of Constantine the Great up until then many people were pagans and worshipped the sun god however christianity was getting more popular so to avoid a revolt Constantine combined the two which is why pictures of christ show a halo over his head which is symbolic for the sun he also made the christian day of worship on a SUNday.

[Tillyella]

Constantine did in fact have christians and pagans in his kingdom. He anticipated that this could cause trouble in the future so he persuaded both sets of believers to combine the their beliefs. Sadly this was successful despite the fact that there were some true christians who refused to accept the corruption of their faith. The result of this is the christianity that you see to-day which is far removed from the message that Christ taught. This fact is quite commonly known but I would suggest that Dan Brown is not a good authority on religious matters, the book he wrote is only fiction.

[MustafaTickl]

I keep a foot in both camps, I've made the pub my religion but I frequently pop across to the church for a myth.

[jproximo]

Tillyella, you just contradicted yourself, if DAN BROWN'S book was fiction then Constantine wouldnt have had pagand and christians at the same time, for that is what the book claims, anyway, a myth is somthing we choose to believe, a religion is somthing we choose to follow!

[Tillyella]

Oh dear jproximo perhaps I did'nt explain too well. Many films and books are based on real life events but in many cases the main characters are fictitious. The story teller or film maker cleverly weaves together fact and fiction, for example "Gone with the wind" tells about the American Civil War but Rhett Butler and Scarlet O'Hara were not real people.

[brionon]

All religion is Myth.

[jproximo]

so what you're saying is the message the book tells is real but the people in the book aren't?

[JamesEverton]

No. Dan Brown's books are based in the real world but fictional, with just enough intrigue to make numbskulls believe that their 'message' is real.

[jproximo]

i never said i believe it, if you read the post properly you will notice it says, according to dan brown, so who's the numb skull? i was mearley sugesting his theory as a possible angle on the subject, which you must agree has stirred up quite alot of debate in the religious world, it's interesting how it sparked such an uproar, i feel over the last coupple of deccades religion has gone a bit stale, and people latched on to this idea because it breathed a bit of life in to the subject matter of why where and when.

[JamesEverton]

I didn't say that you did believe it. Some people do, however, and they are invariably numbskulls.

[pugwashjw]

WE MUST HAVE HAD SOME FORM OF BEGINNING. The Bible, based on its longevity ,and consistency, gives sensible answers to all our questions. Where we began, what causes our problems, what is the cure for our problems, and what is our future. Myths do not do this at all. They give no answeres but are merely stories. At times, interesting, but have no purpose. Example. Revelation

(Revelation 21:4) And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.�

A promise by God to remove death from us.

This prompts further questions. How did death start?. Answer; Genesis 2; 16,17

Then logic tells us that if death was caused by Adam and Eve disobeying God, What was their situation before that. Logically, it was God's plan for them NOT TO DIE.
Now, by the use of Jesus to pay a ransom price with his life, we have had the PENALTY of death removed from us. This will come into effect after Armageddon, when God and his son Jesus, remove wickedness from the earth.

Myths do not give us LIFE answers like this.