What is the difference between a religion and a mythology? What stops someone from saying they worship Greek gods if asked if they are religious?
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I think the answer will be subjective, but for me, as a religious person – I go with JRR Tolkien’s definition – as I am both a fantasy nerd and a Christian.
Tolkien explained that all religion is myth. However there is a “true mythology” which is the reality. All good stories and myths contain fragments (some more than others) of this “true myth” upon which the world was founded. Of course to Tolkien and myself, the Bible tells the story of this “true myth.”
However it’s perfectly reasonable for another person to believe that the Greek gods and their tales are the “true myth,” as I am sure some people do.
Over time, mythology has become synonymous with “falsehood” but that’s not true – at least not originally. A myth is not necessarily a false story.
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