An Eye Opener

Mythologies are based upon myths... seems reasonable since it is part of the word; so, what is a myth?

Myths are traditional or legendary stories, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, especially one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature.

Myths can be any invented story, idea, or concept or an imaginary or fictitious thing or person; and, they can be any unproved or false collective belief that is used to justify a social institution.

For example, there are lots of myths and mythologies that have grown up around the Pyramids of Egypt such as alien space travelers visited earth many years ago and had these pyramids constructed as some sort of space beacon.

In some cases, these myths and mythologies became so strong in people's minds that religions grew up around them and people worshiped them in a spiritual way. Such was the case with the myths and mythologies of Greece, Rome, and Scandinavia.

The major global mythologies come from these people/locations:

1. Inuit (Canada)
2. North American Indian
3. Aztec (Central America)
4. Maya (Central America)
5. Amazon (South America)
6. Inca (South America)
7. Norse (Scandinavia)
8. Celt (Central Europe)
9. Roman
10. Greek
11. Egyptian
12. Yoruba (Africa)
13. Fon (Africa)
14. Sumerian (Iran/Iraq/Syria)
15. Hindu (india)
16. Chinese
17. Japanese
18. Polynesian (Australia)

While it may seem that 18 is not many, that number is misleading because it talks about the general areas where mythologies took place. There are well over 150 mythologies as each group of people or each tribe had their own rites, rituals, and mythologies.

Interestingly or perhaps not so, all global mythologies share certain myths in common with one another. The common myths are:

1. A creation story
2. A great flood
3. A paradise lost
4. Epic cosmic battles
5. Vampires
6. An Atlantis type story
7. A god's resurrection
8. Dragons of some sort
9. A hero's quest
10. Explanations to questions
11. An end of times

Many of these global mythologies predate the arrival of Jesus by 1500 years or more.

Some critics of Christianity believe that the Christian religion was not based upon divine revelation but that it borrowed from pagan sources--Mithra being one of them. They assert that the figure of Mithra has many commonalities with Jesus--too common to be coincidence.

Mithraism was one of the major religions of the Roman Empire which was derived from the ancient Persian god of light and wisdom. The cult of Mithraism was quite prominent in ancient Rome, especially among the military. Mithra was the god of war, battle, justice, faith, and contract. 

According to Mithraism, Mithra was called the son of God, was born of a virgin, had disciples, was crucified, rose from the dead on the third day, atoned for the sins of mankind, and returned to heaven.

Therefore, the critics maintain that Christianity borrowed its concepts from the Mithra cult. 

But is this the case? 

Can it be adequately demonstrated that Christianity borrowed from the cult of Mithra as it developed its theology?

Well... I know what I believe and you will have to decide for yourself once you explore and weigh all the evidence yourself.

I guarantee that you will enjoy the journey of exploration.