The Mythology of Religion -The Existence of Spirituality

The minds of most people in western civilization turn to religion when they contemplate the thought of a higher intelligent power. Throughout history religion has played an important part in mankind's interpretation of life here on Earth. As man's knowledge has evolved, religion has evolved. From the sun worshippers of Stonehenge, the many gods and goddesses of the ancient Egyptians, to the relatively new religions, for example the Scientologists of today just created in 1952 by L. Ron Hubbard.

Some of the religions of ancient peoples are now considered the mythologies that are studied in 8^th grade English classes of today. How can religion be considered mythology? Mythology is generally thought of as the study of ancient Greek, Egyptian, Roman and Norse beliefs. The silly things that people believed before science evolved man's knowledge into 'knowing better." If we look at the definition of mythology, the dictionary tells us that mythology is a set of stories, traditions and beliefs associated with a particular group or history of events arising naturally or deliberately fostered.

Consider now that the definition of religion is defined as a set of beliefs concerning cause, nature and purpose of the universe involving devotional rituals and observances containing moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. Surprisingly similar.

The mythology of religion varies radically with each individual faith. However, for all the differences there are always a few similarities, the focus of most are based on the same fundamental similarities; creation, what to believe, how to practice that belief (traditions and rituals) the main characters (past and present) and the rewards expected for practicing the belief.

Why then, is the majority of mankind compelled to participate? Many participate because they are indoctrinated from birth. In past generations it was sometimes the law to participate in a certain religion or face persecution or possibly death. Sometimes an individual discovers a particular religion on their own and chooses to participate. Why is man drawn to religion? For the same reason that man is also drawn to science, explanations for the unseen and the unknown, from the planet earth to the depths of our minds.

Modern man has questioned the right any particular religion has for claims to being the one true belief. Modern man of course contemplates, why bother participating in something that sounds so closely related to the ancients of mythology? A religious historian notes that what matters in religious experience is not so much what beliefs we either have or don't have, but rather the presence of a group joined by spiritual power into an extended family.

Joined by spiritual power. The definition of spirituality-pertaining to or consisting of spirit-incorporeal, not tangible or material. That which is unseen and unknown. Since the beginning of time the presence of the unseen and the unknown which man has felt a connection with and a desire to define. The need to experience spirituality, the quest to obtain insight to the unseen and the unknown in a group setting. Coloring man's history with beliefs as numerous as there are cultures since the beginning of time. Definitive proof of the existence of spirituality. We have all had a spiritual feelings and thoughts, it is comforting for man to have a group with set routines and beliefs to share these experiences with.

Science is all about proving what was previously and presently unknown, sometimes that also involves the unseen and the immaterial. As mankind's knowledge continues to expand, the spiritual world has changed quite remarkably from for example, ancient times when explaining the rising and setting of the sun was quite the challenge. Or just a few hundred years ago when "witches" were being burned at the stake. One might wonder if man's search to obtain knowledge, thus presumably changing the spiritual might someday turn the prominent religions of today into the mythology of an ancient peoples for the modern man of the future.

Sources:

Dictionary.com

Beyond Belief The Gospel of Thomas, author Elaine Pagels