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Post by Dodger Thirteen on Jun 1, 2011 13:39:43 GMT -5
Ah see, you're into the mythological creatures. I'm personally into the gods themselves. I'm not very religious--in fact I'm not religious at all--so it just blows my mind to see how cultural religions have developed and the thoughts regarding the existence of the world and mankind pertaining to their creation. However, this only goes for pagan religions. I have absolutely no interest in modern day religious studies. So here's my proposed sub-thread to this thread: Who is your favorite god from the major mythologies and why? For me: Odin, and Hermes. (P.S. Age of Mythology was perhaps my favorite video game ever as a result of my fascination. The servers are still up, and if anyone wants to play, I'm always down.) (P.S Part II: I can't even comprehend the first part of what I wrote, but it seems to make sense. I'm currently in between finals, so my mind is not here) Yes, I am, but I also love the gods. Kinda have to when you try to work with them on a regular basis. Yes, this is me outting myself as a Pagan. Anyway, now that that's over, my "favourite" gods are Anubis, Odin, Loki, Artemis, and a bunch of others that I can't think of right now. I'm of the spiritual belief that all gods exist and were brought into being via humanity who kind of thought them into existence. Even seen the "Hell House" episode of Supernatural, or heard of a Tulpa? It's kinda like that. To me, there's a divine "pool" out there that the gods "spring from." /end of thread derailment Also, after taking a few classes which talk about Greek mythology in detail, and being a Christian, I find it fascinating how many stories are similar. And I want to learn more! Any type of myths intrigue me. Watching the faces of fellow students as they slowly realized that Christianity stole a lot of it's lore from... every previous culture... was absolutely priceless. Oh, I miss my Myth class! Never argue with a Catholic, though. I tried to explain to my friend's mum that Easter is based on the ancient practices of worshipping Eostre. I thought I finally had her when I demanded to know why Easter is associated with rabbits and eggs. Her immediate response scared the hell out of me, mostly that she had such a quick retort than anything else. Catholics scare me a bit, despite the fact that I was actually thinking of converting to Catholicism awhile ago. ...I swear that's the end of the thread derailment. D: |
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Post by Marina on Jun 1, 2011 13:49:22 GMT -5
I wouldn't say "stole", that is not the correct (and even somewhat offensive) way to put it. Integrated maybe, but even then, it's a bit iffy. I could tell you (as my reason) that the stories are similar because they are based on truth, but the way they are told, is different. Gods are given different names, and holidays are on different days. When conversion to Christianity began, they simply renamed Holidays like Christmas, I think, for convenience. But I don't know much about it, so I'll stop there. I may be a Christian, but I am open-minded. And I'm not Catholic, I'm a Protestant  |
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Post by Dodger Thirteen on Jun 1, 2011 13:52:20 GMT -5
I wouldn't say "stole", that is not the correct (and even somewhat offensive) way to put it. Integrated maybe, but even then, it's a bit iffy. I could tell you (as my reason) that the stories are similar because they are based on truth, but the way they are told, is different. Gods are given different names, and holidays are on different days. When conversion to Christianity began, they simply renamed Holidays like Christmas, I think, for convenience. But I don't know much about it, so I'll stop there. *pulls on history major hat* Actually, when Christianity first became accepted (since it was initially banned throughout the Roman Empire, only place that mattered *coughbullshitcough*) and then popularized, they wanted to convert as many people as they could, especially the Ostrogoths, Visigoths, etc. All them Goths, yo. So anyway, they basically...how to phrase this...kinda said "Keep your holidays, just worship our god before yours and everything's cool!" so the Goths were like "Whatevs." and yeah. Then things started getting crazy and there was that whole Gothic sack of Rome (and then another one) and shit just got crazy, yo. |
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Post by Marina on Jun 1, 2011 13:55:11 GMT -5
I wouldn't say "stole", that is not the correct (and even somewhat offensive) way to put it. Integrated maybe, but even then, it's a bit iffy. I could tell you (as my reason) that the stories are similar because they are based on truth, but the way they are told, is different. Gods are given different names, and holidays are on different days. When conversion to Christianity began, they simply renamed Holidays like Christmas, I think, for convenience. But I don't know much about it, so I'll stop there. *pulls on history major hat* Actually, when Christianity first became accepted (since it was initially banned throughout the Roman Empire, only place that mattered *coughbullshitcough*) and then popularized, they wanted to convert as many people as they could, especially the Ostrogoths, Visigoths, etc. All them Goths, yo. So anyway, they basically...how to phrase this...kinda said "Keep your holidays, just worship our god before yours and everything's cool!" so the Goths were like "Whatevs." and yeah. Then things started getting crazy and there was that whole Gothic sack of Rome (and then another one) and shit just got crazy, yo. Ahh, so see, I wasn't that far off. Thank you for this information though, now I know more.  |
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Post by Olive on Jun 1, 2011 14:07:42 GMT -5
When conversion to Christianity began, they simply renamed Holidays like Christmas, I think, for convenience. It wasn't so much "convenience" as "your gods are false idols, but we really need your numbers, so instead of pissing you all off and saying you're wrong, we'll just kindly adopt your fluffy little bunny rabbits and whatnot." I realize that this is also probably offensive in some ways, but it's really how the situation always appeared to me. And honestly, I was raised Catholic :-D |
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Post by Marina on Jun 1, 2011 14:27:06 GMT -5
When conversion to Christianity began, they simply renamed Holidays like Christmas, I think, for convenience. It wasn't so much "convenience" as "your gods are false idols, but we really need your numbers, so instead of pissing you all off and saying you're wrong, we'll just kindly adopt your fluffy little bunny rabbits and whatnot." I realize that this is also probably offensive in some ways, but it's really how the situation always appeared to me. And honestly, I was raised Catholic :-D No, no, I don't find that offensive at all. I think I agree you, I mean, can you imagine being in charge of starting and popularizing a new religion. People, even back then, were lazy, and I think it was just easier to adopt and integrate, rather than come up with new material and change centuries worth of history. |
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Post by Silva on Jun 1, 2011 14:29:14 GMT -5
Just to derail current conversation: I've never been interested in much mythology other than Greek, but maybe I need to expand. I have to say my favorite myth, or rather scene in the Iliad, occurred when Athena punched Aphrodite and Aphrodite FAINTED.
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Post by cmthecla on Jun 1, 2011 17:50:04 GMT -5
I really wish I would've had more education about mythology when I was an undergrad. I remember reading excerpts of The Odyssey as a freshman in high school, and during my junior year I learned a little more and read The Epic of Gilgamesh. Trying to fit in the mythology elective for my degree never worked out, mostly because I decided I really wanted to take it when I was nearing the end of college (and waiting to the end obviously meant that it wouldn't fit into my schedule that last year or so). Time for some self-study... when I have time...
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Post by Dodger Thirteen on Jun 1, 2011 18:05:39 GMT -5
I really wish I would've had more education about mythology when I was an undergrad. I remember reading excerpts of The Odyssey as a freshman in high school, and during my junior year I learned a little more and read The Epic of Gilgamesh. Trying to fit in the mythology elective for my degree never worked out, mostly because I decided I really wanted to take it when I was nearing the end of college (and waiting to the end obviously meant that it wouldn't fit into my schedule that last year or so). Time for some self-study... when I have time... To me, it's a huge problem that most universities don't offer many, if any, mythology courses. I think that for English students, at the very least, it should be required to at LEAST take a classical mythology course, preferably one designed for English majors. |
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Post by Olive on Jun 1, 2011 18:12:46 GMT -5
I really wish I would've had more education about mythology when I was an undergrad. I remember reading excerpts of The Odyssey as a freshman in high school, and during my junior year I learned a little more and read The Epic of Gilgamesh. Trying to fit in the mythology elective for my degree never worked out, mostly because I decided I really wanted to take it when I was nearing the end of college (and waiting to the end obviously meant that it wouldn't fit into my schedule that last year or so). Time for some self-study... when I have time... To me, it's a huge problem that most universities don't offer many, if any, mythology courses. I think that for English students, at the very least, it should be required to at LEAST take a classical mythology course, preferably one designed for English majors. Yes, this is what I keep saying! Definitely advice I'm giving to my freshmen in the fall. A basic myth course helps so much when it comes to understanding Shakespeare/Milton/hell, everyone later on. Plus, the type of profs that are drawn to teaching Mythology tend to be really fracking awesome people. I'm still friends with mine, and he wrote the recommendation letter that landed me the TA position :-D |
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Post by Marina on Jun 1, 2011 18:19:34 GMT -5
I took a Greek mythology course, and you're right, the professor was hilarious. He always started off class by telling us another crazy story about his little girl.
But I honestly liked my Classics 100 course better because we went into Greek history and mythology together. Although if you don't know much mythology, it would be tougher to enjoy such a course. But that teacher was kind of crazy, cool too. What is up with that?
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Post by Olive on Jun 1, 2011 18:23:23 GMT -5
It's because Mythology, in general, is interesting and really, really bizarre. My prof swore profusely, was unafraid to talk about giant phalli, and said "giggity" at least once a class.
Of course, he continued to say "giggity" when I had him the following semester for a Creative Writing: Fiction course... It was just plain entertaining.
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callmeishmael
Young Armadillo
Believe it or not, I use this username on other forums as well.
Posts: 66
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Post by callmeishmael on Jun 1, 2011 18:30:13 GMT -5
I would love to teach a class on mythology. Probably one of the main reasons I would ever consider becoming a professor. It's just so fun and interesting.
Oh and Dodger: Congratulations on your outing!
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Post by Dodger Thirteen on Jun 1, 2011 19:53:22 GMT -5
Oh and Dodger: Congratulations on your outing! Meh, I'm pretty open about it everywhere, but I'm always hesitant about admitting it in new places because I never know how people will react. Glad to see I haven't gotten any backlash here.  |
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callmeishmael
Young Armadillo
Believe it or not, I use this username on other forums as well.
Posts: 66
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Post by callmeishmael on Jun 1, 2011 20:17:05 GMT -5
Hah I don't think you would find any backlash from Armadillos. We're too nice of folk.
But in all honesty I think it's super sweet that you embrace it. The few pagans I've ever met were always the girls that practiced Wicca back in high school, and one of them tried to curse my friend, so it wasn't a close association.
But anyway, Mythology: Does anyone know of any collections of Egyptian mythologies? I feel like everyone knows at least one Egyptian god, but even I myself lack any major knowledge regarding the lore surrounding them.
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