Myths

[laladedelala]

How did the myths about gods and goddesses begin?

[tartanwiz]

According to Marx, even animals have a 'natural religion' (his own term), meaning an awe and acceptance of the superiority of nature. Man, in this view, takes it further, giving aspects of nature a human appearance or quality to explain the mysteries of existence and the universe. But who says they are myths anyway? Old beardy Marx? That's his opinion, not mine. Science (rightly) explains HOW the universe works, not WHY, as Darwin himself admitted in 'Origin of Species'.

[kaktus]

I once had a teacher, who said that first there is an action, that becomes tradition, which needs a "reason" = myths tartanwiz: Why does the universe has to have a reason to exist?

[geedogg]

Apparently aliens came to earth thousands of years ago in their spaceships. Because humans could not comprehend it and did not know how to describe what they saw they called them gods. If you look at all the older civilisations with numerous gods i.e. Greeks, Romans, Hindus they all had flying gods. Coincidence? Just a thought ;)

[geedogg]

No seriously. Apparently it all comes down to human understanding, and the need for humans to have a reason for existing. We've gone through three ages- the Age of Magic, the Age of Religion and now the Age of Science. First when humans could not understand how or why something happened they believed it was because of magic, mainly because thay didn't know how else to explain it. They then thought that everything was caused by a higher being; that a god was the cause of everything. Now we are able to explain everything by science. Basically people need to believe that their lives are worth something, that if they do good in life then there will be a reward for them after they die- heaven, reincarnation into a better form etc. I also believe that religion is a form of natural law. It sets morals and standards. And that by having gods and goddesses people will follow this natural law out of fear of being punished by god. I think my alien theory is better tho.

[humming bird]

Firstly myths are based in truth so "is it a myth".;secondly there is serious thought that women predated men by thousands of years and a form of self fertilisation continues the race (note a similarity with the Virgin Mary?) As for the first God..no go.try "Godess" and try paleatheology. No adequate history exists to determine the "first God or.. Godess".The really substantial question is "does God exist and if so what is his/her form". The Jewish-Catholic-Islam (all same racine..only different in politics) version is utter rubbish. Von Danieken, whom I love, is seriously deluded in my opinion, but at least he thinks!!...So..what is the answer..? Cheers