Myth

Question 1

Alasdair MacIntyre: we cannot ask followers of myth whether myths are symbolically or literally true because this assumes a gap between myth and world view. They no longer are meaningful

Campbell & Jung: Life is dominated by background myth such as Myth of progress

Armstrong: scientific talk of Singularities and multiple universes is metaphorical and symbolic language that is mythical in nature

Answer 1

Bultman: behind myths especially in the bible lies not history but kerygma of early church form. Understanding this depends on our dependency on Jesus. We need to see through the mythical language and demythologise to find the teachings of Christ.

Kearney: there are other resources for demythologising but using existential analysis gives different meanings

Vattimo: demythologising needs demythologising as we have our own myths today that shape the world

Question 2

Strengths:
-Conveys complex religious beliefs simply
-Conveys religious belief that doesn’t need to be taken literally
-Allows for acceptance of science and Christian orthodox
-Communicates universal themes of human existence that can be demythologised to speak to any culture
-Explains puzzling features of existence
Positive way of speaking about God that makes Via negativa unnecessary
-Interpreting religious language as myth may open up new avenues of understanding the meaning behind the religious text

Answer 2

Weaknesses

• Which stories are classified as myth
• Did the authors of the original religious texts intend for their writings to be understood as myth
• Bultman: Myths are outdated ways of expressing truth they need to be demythologised and re-expressed
• Creates diverse christian opinions meaning there is no longer a coherent whole
• Religious stories are turned from historical events to mythical events which ward and Wright disagree with
• Myth may speed up the decline of religion as people come to see them as just fairy tales
• Myths are not universal but culturally relative

Question 3

Hick- a myth is a story that isn’t literally true and does not literally apply but it invites a particular attitude.
Myths point to realities that convey meaning and truth for those you connect with them.

Conveying truth is often debated as whether it is genuine truth of the real world or not. And what should be understood as truth.

Are they literal truths or existential myths

Answer 3

For religious people myths are not false ways of view in the world but meaningful tales communicating concern about existence and fundamental values