Religious language as non cognitive and mythical

Question 1

Myths?

Answer 1

Myths are non-cognitive and do not convey factual truths about the empirical world, but they can express spiritual or moral truths. Proponents of mythological interpretations argue that both logical positivists and fundamentalists mistakenly treat myths as literal truths, oversimplifying their complexity. Myths explore what it means to be human in a confusing world and reflect on significant experiences, offering insights into abstract concepts like God’s nature and our purpose. They often address common human concerns, such as evil, the afterlife, and the meaning of life. Understanding religious myths requires considering the writer’s context (sitz im Leben) to grasp the imagery and symbolism effectively.

Question 2

Creation myths?

Answer 2

Primordial times, often lacking historical records, show that various cultures share similar themes in their creation stories. Many of these myths contrast light and darkness, where darkness symbolizes the unknown and danger, while light represents understanding and life. Additionally, these myths often suggest that humans, created in God’s image, have the purpose of ruling over and caring for the planet due to their unique understanding and sentience.

Question 3

Good against evil?

Answer 3

These myths link the defeat of evil by good to heroic narratives and the human experience of seasonal cycles, contrasting dark winters of struggle with the hopeful arrival of spring. Festivals like Easter and Diwali embody this theme. Such myths address fundamental fears, including death, pain, and suffering, providing a framework for understanding these concerns, even as their causes may change over time.

Question 4

Heroic myths?

Answer 4

These myths link the defeat of evil by good to heroic narratives and the human experience of seasonal cycles, contrasting dark winters of struggle with the hopeful arrival of spring. Festivals like Easter and Diwali embody this theme. Such myths address fundamental fears, including death, pain, and suffering, providing a framework for understanding these concerns, even as their causes may change over time.

Question 5

Fear of the unknown

Answer 5

Each myth contains elements of fear, lack of control, and mystery. Despite modern scientific understanding, society still craves myths that address apocalyptic fears, such as the biblical story of Noah’s Flood alongside contemporary narratives like The Hunger Games and The Handmaid’s Tale. These myths offer spiritual and emotional insights that complement rather than challenge science, helping us understand our place in the universe and inspire positive action.

Question 6

3 approaches towards understanding myths?

Answer 6

1) they are just fairy stories
2) hey are intended to be factual
3) they declare our place in society, our relationship to god and the purpose of our lives, which will then affect our behaviour

Question 7

Religious/social/ethical values?

Answer 7

Philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre suggests we should evaluate myths not as true or false, but as living or dead—meaning they either hold purpose and relevance or they do not. This involves questioning whether myths unite communities or inspire social action.

Question 8

Challenges?

Answer 8

Some myths express contrasting ideas about life’s meaning and purpose, raising questions about which contain truth or value. For instance, Genesis presents humans as deliberately created by divine will, while the Ainu creation myth suggests humanity evolved from a polar bear God and the world formed by accident. As societal values shift, the relevance of myths can fade, leading to questions about the foundations of religion. Theologian Rudolf Bultmann proposed that religious language should be demythologized to uncover essential meanings, as mythology can misplace the divine in the empirical world and hinder faith. This creates tension with scientific understandings, as metaphorical interpretations can still conflict with scientific theories, such as Genesis’s portrayal of creation versus evolutionary processes.

Question 9

Quotes?

Answer 9

Momen

Adams

Marcus
‘If one studies the common themes in the different mythologies of the world, one can find the basic rhythms by which all human beings live’

‘Myths and creeds are heroic struggles to comprehend the truth in the world.’

‘It is a sure sign that culture has reached a dead end when it is no longer intrigued by its myths.’