Myths and why we need them: (mythology, quote, believers, holidays)

[ptsum]

Not too long ago I read an article by a gentleman by the name of Alexander McCall Smith and how he talked about how we need Myths and I thought it was very appropriate for this time of year, let me read to you a few paragraphs from his article.

[There is a moment in J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan when the audience is invited to revise the dying fairy Tinkerbell and told, "if you believe in fairies, clap your hands" And every time, the theater breaks into sustained applause. That is not to suggest that there are theaters full of seriously deluded people. What it does tell us is that there are times when we need to pretend to believe in things we know not to be true. We know that the world is in a place of suffering and hardship, and we know,too, that justice and kindness and love in such things will not always prevail against these hard realities. Myths help us to get by, the day they all die and we tell our children exactly how things are, the world will be a poorer, less enchanted place. So don't be ashamed to clap your hands at Peter Pan or act as if Santa exists. He stands for kindness and generosity, and those things are live and will continue to be alone, as long as we believe in them.]

So in the spirit of the season, I wish all of you, the celebration of The Winter Solstice, The Happiest of Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, or whatever Holiday or Spiritual day that you believe in and may we all look forward to the peace and understanding of our fellow man in the coming years.

[DrummerBoy]

You need to broaden your definition of the term "myth" or "mythology." Just because something is a myth does NOT necessarily mean it's not true. I'm very surprised you didn't learn tis from the article you cited that you read. Perhaps you should read something a bit more in-depth, like "The Power of Myth" by Joseph Campbell, who has basically devoted his entire writing life to the subject.
Anyway, mythology can be, and is often used to convey to the reader a deeper, timeless, ore profound and universal truth that is readily apparent from the story. Take Greek mythology, for example. Let's use the story of Sisyphus, pushing that big ol' boulder up the hill. And everytime he would get it up several feet it would fall back down a couple feet. Now, did a man named Sisyphus really exist? probably not. But the tale is conveyed as an allegory for the frustration and futility man ofeten encounters in his existence. Thus: a fictional story is used as a vehicle to convey a universal TRUTH!!
So I would advise you to be careful in the future about telling people that "we need to pretend to believe things that aren't true." Your post came across to me as a thinly-veiled insult and condesension to myth believers. But I think you need to study mythology a bit more before attempting to pass judgements.
Peace.

[ptsum]

Originally Posted by DrummerBoy

You need to broaden your definition of the term "myth" or "mythology." Just because something is a myth does NOT necessarily mean it's not true. I'm very surprised you didn't learn tis from the article you cited that you read. Perhaps you should read something a bit more in-depth, like "The Power of Myth" by Joseph Campbell, who has basically devoted his entire writing life to the subject.
Anyway, mythology can be, and is often used to convey to the reader a deeper, timeless, ore profound and universal truth that is readily apparent from the story. Take Greek mythology, for example. Let's use the story of Sisyphus, pushing that big ol' boulder up the hill. And everytime he would get it up several feet it would fall back down a couple feet. Now, did a man named Sisyphus really exist? probably not. But the tale is conveyed as an allegory for the frustration and futility man ofeten encounters in his existence. Thus: a fictional story is used as a vehicle to convey a universal TRUTH!!
So I would advise you to be careful in the future about telling people that "we need to pretend to believe things that aren't true." Your post came across to me as a thinly-veiled insult and condesension to myth believers. But I think you need to study mythology a bit more before attempting to pass judgements.
Peace.

You know I find it interesting that some people want to be so judgmental about other people when maybe sometimes they should take a good long look within themselves, if you had read my post like you claim to have, you will find that I am merely quoting somebody else's opinion, is there any chance you could read it and accept it for what it is,it's not being judgmental or insulting and I am very much familiar with mythology of all kinds, even my native mythology.

[Jazzymom]

Originally Posted by ptsum

Not too long ago I read an article by a gentleman by the name of Alexander McCall Smith and how he talked about how we need Myths and I thought it was very appropriate for this time of year, let me read to you a few paragraphs from his article.

[There is a moment in J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan when the audience is invited to revise the dying fairy Tinkerbell and told, "if you believe in fairies, clap your hands" And every time, the theater breaks into sustained applause. That is not to suggest that there are theaters full of seriously deluded people. What it does tell us is that there are times when we need to pretend to believe in things we know not to be true. We know that the world is in a place of suffering and hardship, and we know,too, that justice and kindness and love in such things will not always prevail against these hard realities. Myths help us to get by, the day they all die and we tell our children exactly how things are, the world will be a poorer, less enchanted place. So don't be ashamed to clap your hands at Peter Pan or act as if Santa exists. He stands for kindness and generosity, and those things are live and will continue to be alone, as long as we believe in them.]

So in the spirit of the season, I wish all of you, the celebration of The Winter Solstice, The Happiest of Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, or whatever Holiday or Spiritual day that you believe in and may we all look forward to the peace and understanding of our fellow man in the coming years.

I agree! And I also will chime in that may we all find the peace and understanding between us now and in the future.

[Jazzymom]

Originally Posted by DrummerBoy

You need to broaden your definition of the term "myth" or "mythology." Just because something is a myth does NOT necessarily mean it's not true. I'm very surprised you didn't learn tis from the article you cited that you read. Perhaps you should read something a bit more in-depth, like "The Power of Myth" by Joseph Campbell, who has basically devoted his entire writing life to the subject.
Anyway, mythology can be, and is often used to convey to the reader a deeper, timeless, ore profound and universal truth that is readily apparent from the story. Take Greek mythology, for example. Let's use the story of Sisyphus, pushing that big ol' boulder up the hill. And everytime he would get it up several feet it would fall back down a couple feet. Now, did a man named Sisyphus really exist? probably not. But the tale is conveyed as an allegory for the frustration and futility man ofeten encounters in his existence. Thus: a fictional story is used as a vehicle to convey a universal TRUTH!!
So I would advise you to be careful in the future about telling people that "we need to pretend to believe things that aren't true." Your post came across to me as a thinly-veiled insult and condesension to myth believers. But I think you need to study mythology a bit more before attempting to pass judgements.
Peace.

Wow a bit judgmental.........