Difference Between Religion and Mythology

Religion vs Mythology

Religion and Mythology are two terms that are often confused when it comes to their connotations, even though, there is some difference between the two terms. First let us define the two terms in order to understand the difference, as well as the relation between the two. Religion can be defined as the belief in and worship of a God or gods. Mythology, on the other hand, refers to a collection of traditional stories from early history or explaining a natural event especially involving supernatural beings. This highlights that religion and mythology have to be viewed as two related bodies, which are different yet connected to one another. It can even be stated that mythology is the subset of religion. Through this article let us examine the difference between religion and mythology, by gaining an understanding of each word.

What is Religion?

Religion deals with the establishment of certain ideas that prove the existence of superhuman powers in the form of God or Gods. It educates the individual with the customs and manners of a particular community or society based on the acceptance of some important faiths and beliefs. Religion is developed and propounded by great religious leaders. When we look at the world today, there are many religions such as Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, etc. All these religions cater towards a single need of constructing a system of beliefs and guiding people. Karl Marx once said that religion is the opium of the masses. Through this statement Marx elaborate son the idea that the function of religion is to ease the pain in life. Others such as Talcott Parson and Emilie Durkheim believe that religion build social solidarity and collective conscience and even social control among the people. This highlights that religion plays a key role in the society as a social institution. In almost all religions, there are mythologies. Any given religion will dwell in the delineation of its mythological characters. This emphasizes that mythology plays a significant role in religion. Let us understand this relation as we pay attention to mythology.

What is Mythology?

Mythology is aimed at proving the truths and faiths established by religion. Mythology aims to establish the faiths put forward by any religion through stories and epics. Mythological characters are created in order to prove the validity of religious statements. Religion, on the other hand, depends on its mythology to survive. This is the most important observation when it comes to the relationship between religion and mythology. Mythology deals with characters that reflect the superhuman powers already spoken of by the concerned religion. In short it can be said that mythology confirms and strengthens religious beliefs and truths. Religion sans mythology becomes weak in the course of time.
Mythology unlike religion does not deal with the customs and manners of a particular community or society based on the acceptance of faiths and beliefs. It is developed and created by the sages and ancient saints that work for the establishment of truths in their respective religions. Mythology creates interest in the following of any given religion. These are the differences between religion and mythology.

What is the Difference Between Religion and Mythology?

• Religion deals with the establishment of certain ideas that prove the existence of superhuman powers in the form of God or Gods. On the other hand, mythology is aimed at proving the truths and faiths established by religion.
• Mythology aims to establish the faiths put forward by any religion through stories and epics.
• Mythological characters are created in order to prove the validity of religious statements. Religion, on the other hand, depends on its mythology to survive.
• Religion deals with the customs and manners of a particular community or society based on the acceptance of some important faiths and beliefs. On the other hand, mythology does not deal with the customs and manners of a particular community or society based on the acceptance of faiths and beliefs.
• Religion is developed and propounded by great religious leaders whereas Mythology is developed and created by the sages and ancient saints that work for the establishment of truths in their respective religions.

Image Courtesy:

1.”Religion collage updated” by Kalki – The collage is made up from these images:by L. F. García (cc-by-sa)by Nicor (cc-by-sa)by Tevaprapas Makklay (PD)T. Schoch (cc-by-sa)by Laughlin Elkind (cc-by)by Mycelium101 (cc-by-sa)by Steve Evans (cc-by)by Taz (cc-by-sa). [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

2.”Rae – Water Nymphs (color)” by Henrietta Rae [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons