The religious traditions we're looking at this week all have a special place for their narrative stories. Using your understanding of the mythic dimension, describe some of the ways myth operates in one of the three Abrahamic religions. What does myth do for the religion? What connections can you make to the other religions we've examined thus far? What connections can you make to the use of myth outside those we've discussed?
This week, we looked at myths and how they shape many of the
religions we have studied thus far.
Myths contribute to the core ideas and morals that social
groups thrive by, and for that reason, these stories of sacred significance relate
us to the social groups we identify with.
Strictly in the realms of religion, while looking at Islam
this week, it was interesting to note the role myth plays for the people of
Islamic beliefs. Myths are not only narrative stories, but also a guideline to
an optimal way of life. The most immediate example of the influence of myth on
Islam is the Qur'an. Stories that were originally to be passed orally
eventually held enough weight to be recorded for further speculation.
Myths are also present in social cliques; rumors about a
specific person spread and create a social divider between those that believe
and those that do not believe in it. These ideas then construct social groups
known as cliques, present especially when we look into the younger schooling
ages of high school and middle school.
Claiming that myths being present in social cliques is unusual, yet refreshing. It is true, though; once a rumor is born, it usually spreads like fire. I, myself, do not understand why rumors spread so quickly. Although some rumors are ultimately false, some are true. However, I think that rumors spread simply because it is new, a delicious piece of information that supposedly offers insight. Regardless of whether these rumors are true is of lesser value than the excitement of spreading such rumors, of talking about "that" person behind his or her back.
ReplyDeleteHere's a quote that I found appropriate in response to rumors being a social divider: "Actions speak louder than words, but sometimes words can hurt more than anything else."
I completely agree about what you said about how myths contribute to the core ideas and morals that society live by and that myths are utilized as a guideline for optimal living. One key example that comes to mind is that I've actually heard a friend of mine refer to the Bible as an acronym which is "Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth", which is shows that the Bible is used to teach how to live a good life so one could be rewarded in the afterlife.
ReplyDeleteI think it was an awesome reminder when you mentioned that myths are not only narrative stories, because in my post, I could only think of myths and how they function as stories that get passed on generationally. Also, I think that it's important to note that myths are not always narratives although it was the first thing that came to mind for me.
Interesting point about the possible role of myth in developing social 'cliques'! It flushes nicely with the role Lincoln sees myth playing, thought I think Margaret has a point about the pure salaciousness of rumors causing them to spread. I don't think that necessarily rules out the social distinctions being drawn, and I'd love to hear more about how you see these 'myths' developing cliques!
ReplyDelete