27 Nov 04
Originally posted by KribzI don't know the answer to that, why did people stop believing in Zeus? Changing climate? New ideas? A better deal for believers offered by another religion?
Good point. Has anybody taken a mythology course? What I would like to know is when and for what reasons did people stop believing in these sorts of gods? People did actually believe in them at one time, didn't they? Does anybody still believe in them?
And religion is certainly taught in schools of all sorts. My liberal arts college had a religion department, and my brother has a degree in Theology.
Kribz
27 Nov 04
1 edit
Originally posted by KneverKnightanother questions could be, why are people still beleiving in christ? some guy who died 2000 years ago? indeed-one of the preists at the time said that with a number of false "messiah's", their followers separated when he died. if jesuses followers do this, fine. if not, then the jew's must take a closer intest in this. which brings us to another point. why are people still beleiving in God? (as in the God of Abraham and Moses.) that's, what, 4000 years? 5000 years?
I don't know the answer to that, why did people stop believing in Zeus? Changing climate? New ideas? A better deal for believers offered by another religion?
27 Nov 04
Originally posted by KneverKnightYes. That is what I mean. Comparative religion.
No, just as obligatory as Greek Myth, taught alongside it and etc
There are literally dozens of such courses. One I know (and
have the literature for) is about 'Messiah figures' across religious
practices. The 'Messiah figure' is an archetype, along with several
others, that appears regularly in mythology.
The texts set Jesus right along with other Messiah figures of so-called
dead religions.
The University of Pittsburgh has a major in comparative religion; I'd
guess it also has a MA, I don't know.
Nemesio
27 Nov 04
Originally posted by KribzThere are two, related reasons why a religion dies out. One is
Good point. Has anybody taken a mythology course? What I would like to know is when and for what reasons did people stop believing in these sorts of gods?
the influx of immigrants (such as the so-called Barbarian invasions)
which changed the face of Christianity (far more than the Cult of Mithras
that Caissida keeps mentioning). The other is the imposition by a ruler,
such as Constantine or Charlemagne.
If acculturation doesn't slowly drive out or change beyond recognition a
religion, the threat of torture will.
Nemesio
28 Nov 04
Originally posted by nemesioHow about a third way a religion dies out:
There are two, related reasons why a religion dies out. One is
the influx of immigrants (such as the so-called Barbarian invasions)
which changed the face of Christianity (far more than the Cult of Mithras
that Caissida keeps mentioning). The other is the imposition by a ruler,
such as Constantine or Charlemagne.
If acculturation doesn't slowly drive out or change beyond recognition a
religion, the threat of torture will.
Nemesio
When people become educated and cease to believe in old-wives tales?
28 Nov 04
Originally posted by antichristActually, the believing or non-believing of the historicity of
How about a third way a religion dies out:
When people become educated and cease to believe in old-wives tales?
a myth is not commensurate with believing in its message,
or what some would call its 'Truth.'
If you treat every Biblical story as a parable rather than
literal historical events, then it is perfectly possible for
educated people to continue in perpetuating a religious practice.
Nemesio
28 Nov 04
Originally posted by nemesioIndubitably!
Actually, the believing or non-believing of the historicity of
a myth is not commensurate with believing in its message,
or what some would call its 'Truth.'
If you treat every Biblical story as a parable rather than
literal historical events, then it is perfectly possible for
educated people to continue in perpetuating a religious practice.
Nemesio
28 Nov 04
Well, I for one know that would NEVER fly. That's like trying to teach sex ed in school. Sure, it's HELPFUL, but how many people REALLY listen to it? Exactly.
I agree with the poster that said "what would qualify a teacher to teach the bible"? Certainly not going to church. The bible is a touchy subject and EVERYONE has their own meaning of what this means and that means. So no....that's a very BAD idea.
The GREAT ONE has spoken.