Myth Vs. Religion

A little while ago I was having a discussion with some people about what makes it right to call something a myth, especially when referring to stories closely related to religion. In particular, someone wondered why we call Atlantis a myth, or why we call the Greek stories of the gods a myth when to them it was religion.

I have done some thinking since then. My history book talks about how about how religion for the ancient greeks wasn't so much about belief but about unity, ceremony, and ritual. It was not about morals or doctrine That got me to thinking. It got me to thinking about how the Greek (and Roman) gods were ungodlike. They created gods to watch over every aspect of lifes, but these gods were not godly. The stories they told attributed them with human characteristics such as lust, passion, and lust for power. In the gods they created their ideals of the perfect humans but their myths and stories ensured that they would always be identified as such, humans.

Good News and Bad News

There is some good news and bad news today. The good news is that I think I was right in choosing History. My professor is really good at getting the information through and making the lecture come alive. The bad news is that I don't think I will be playing hockey this semester. We didn't manage to get our team organized in time. So no hockey for me. Unless I can find a team to join that it. I don't know if I would want to play with random people though.

What is the What

First of all, I have to say that the book on which this title is based is an amazing book. It's very deep but also sad as it tells the tale of one of the Sudanese lost boys. The collaboration between the other and the story teller, the one who experienced it all first hands, gives the book depth and meaning. I am only about half way through because of my return to university, but the book is so good. It is one of those books that flip flops in time and space, but in a clear way, directed by the characters thinking, and by his memories. But the book is not the entire reason for this post.

The book makes reference to an old tale where the Dinka people were asked by G_d if the wanted to trade the cows they had been given for the what. This made them ask "What is the What" and supposedly people are still asking that question. Now, after reading this in the story, I had to pause and think for a bit, and ask myself "What is the what". To me, the what is anything to do with the unknown. Or rather it is anything that makes you ask, "what," and anything that makes you take that leap of faith out of your comfort zone, in hopes of a better future. Many people take that leap every day when they leave their job to find a new one, move to a new city or even a new country, or just leave everything behind to start a new life, in hopes of a better future for their children.

I believe we are faced with the what nearly every day. There are always people asking us to step out of our comfort zone. For me, coming to university was a big what. When I applied to my program, I sort of decided without much reasons, what program I wanted to do, and what university I wanted to go to. I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing, and I wasn't sure if I would be able to succeed here. When I start co-op in the summer, it may also be another what for me. Potentially I could end up working in a position in which I have to learn a new skill set for the job. I also could end up living away from home. That was part of the what of univeristy. Because I chose to go to a school out of my area, I ended up living away from home for the first time. And not only that, I was far enough away that I could not come home for weekends. But I knew that when I was coming here, but chose to come for all the benefits I thought it could offer me.

But these are just my opinions. So next time you are on a quiet street, ask yourself "What is the what". I would love to know what you come up with.