Why Are We Here?

Myth Definition

Mythology

Myths and mythology have had and retain a large part of daily life and culture around the world even including in the United States and the more advanced world, let alone in more developing countries. As with many things, mythology and what is a "myth" differs from person to person. Even things Christianity are considered mythology to some as many people believe in the subject and underpinning assertions while others say it is simply untrue or at least unprovable. While some subjects and things could never clearly be proven to be true or false, the use of the word "myth" to vouch for something being untrue is not going away anytime soon and the word is used for subjects both profound and minor.

Analysis

Merriam-Webster defines "myth" as something that a lot of people believe in but is untrue (Merriam-Webster, 2014). Perhaps the most sterling example of mythology over the years and centuries was the Greek and Roman mythology that was formulated years ago in the form of Zeus, Apollo and other Roman or Greek entities or gods. However, the word "myth) has been used in different forms and iterations since then including the more modern academic style. For example, many of the messages and themes that were formulated and utilized by the United States government during the Vietnam or even the second Iraqi wars have been called mythology by their detractors. The general motive and methodology behind the use of the word is keeping with how it is generally used and that is they are saying that while many people believe in the subjects being talked about, that does not mean they are true and many of those same people concurrently attest that they are indeed not true. The same is often said about religions of all levels and sizes including Christianity. Many people hold that Christianity is itself a myth and that the Bible and other Christian doctrines and words are just loose copycats of one or more other religions. For example, the story of creation closely resembles a Mesopotamian myth known as Enuma Elish. There is controversy about which "myth" came first but the parallels between the two accounts are very strong to say the least (Wellman, 2014).

This leads to the most common myths seen across cultures and this would be the genesis, to use a pun, of where the world came from and how we are here. Obviously, the scientific theory behind that event is usually asserted to be evolution and the "Big Bang" but there are many faithful believers of many faiths who even disregard those theories as myths. Other alleged myths of the creation of the world and the universe center on one or more omnipotent beings bringing about the world as it existed back then and exists now. Perhaps the reason for all the differing versions, even within single larger faiths like Christianity, probably center on the fact that none of them can be empirically or scientifically proven yet people yearn to define and quantify why we are all here. It is pervasively used to justify and assist in tribulations and suffering. Martyrdom and altruism are often grounded in such beliefs. Religion is also used to cope with death and grieving. Christians, for example, believe that their loved ones have simply gone to Heaven and that they will be reunited in paradise in the afterlife. Religion and other beliefs often labeled as myths are also used to cope with changes in life and who is pulling the proverbial strings of the universe.