What’s the difference between between religion and mythology and why do certain religions get called mythologies?

Question

I noticed most ancient people’s religion get called mythologies, does that have something to do with it?

In: 8

Answer 1

It all starts with one person. That person claims a deity has spoken to them, and gave them rules to live by. They start spreading these beliefs to other people. This group of believers is a cult.

At some point, the cult’s founder will die. If the cult’s beliefs have become sufficiently widespread to survive their death and keep spreading from person to person, it’s now a religion.

If people stop following and spreading this religion’s beliefs, it essentially “dies out” and becomes mythology.