Mythology And Religion Essays - Anthropology Of Religion

Mythology And Religion MYTHOLOGY AND RELIGION Throughout history people have been fascinated with the subject of religion and mythology. In this paper I will define both religion and mythology, and show how mythology can be seen as a religion. First you must have some understanding and definition of religion before you can see how it relates to mythology. Webster's New Riverside Dictionary defines religion as, a. Belief in and reference for a supernatural power accepted as the creator and governor of the universe. My definition of religion would be a belief in a god as a higher or Supreme Being, and with a system of beliefs and practices. I perceive religion as a way to explain the unexplainable. Secondly you must determine what myths are and how they are created. The word myth comes from the Greek word mythos, which in turn means story, tale or fiction. Webster's New Riverside Dictionary defines a myth as, A traditional story originating in a preliterate society, dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serve as primordial types in a primitive view of the world. Myths like any religion try to provide an explanation for unanswerable questions. Greek mythology should not be mistaken for fact since there is no scientific evidence of these events but should be taken as advice. This is not saying that all mythology is untrue or fictional. Like in any religion, faith is the domineering factor; for without faith religion would cease to exist. Joseph Campbell states that, The material of myth is the material of our life, the material of our body, and the material of our environment, and a living, vital mythology deals with these in terms that are appropriate to the nature of knowledge of the time (Campbell 01). Greek mythology is similar to modern religion in many ways. Like Christianity, Mythology gave meaning to everyday situations. It also formed religious bases and a social structure for which it laid the common law for people. In today's religious setting most would see the common law to live by illustrated in the Bible. Like the Greeks we build altars, temples and churches to give praise to our God. In every religion we as a society have created a hero or savior that will save the believer from great despair and tragedy. Prometheus and his battle for mankind is seen as one of the greatest Greek heroes. Though heroes do not have to be strong and mighty, they must be able to turn chaos into order. Campbell speaks of the metaphysical hero Buddha, who conquers chaos within himself to find nirvana. Buddha believed that if you could conquer the chaos inside of yourself you would find internal peace and happiness. For the Christian believer Jesus can be seen as a hero for he to conquers everyday chaos. Though twenty-four hundred years have elapsed we really have not evolved that much from the Greek era. Our world still searches for the truth and tries to discover the unknown and conquer the unimaginable. It is important to remember that without myths there would be an unexplainable void in history. Mythology is not only an explanation for the unknown but a tool that helps us better understand one another. Religion Essays

What You Should Know About the Common App Essay Prompt

What You Should Know About the Common App Essay PromptCommon App Essay Prompts are one of the most popular and most favored types of essay prompts that students get while participating in writing assignments. In order to be successful, it is important for you to have a good understanding of what the Common App is and how it can help your college admissions essays.What is the Common App? The Common App is a resource for educators and other college applicants who are looking for sample essays for a school or college application. They provide lots of practice essays that are easy to read and follow, making it a great place to get started on your college admissions essay.How do you take advantage of the Common App? One way to utilize the Common App is to write an essay. By reading and writing an essay, you will not only learn more about the topic, but you will also be able to decide on whether or not you want to attend that school. Although you can opt to submit your essay to the univers ity yourself, most schools will give you the option to write the essay for them if you are interested.Once you have decided to use the Common App, be sure to use the different sections of the app. If you are going to use the journal section, then you will want to use a journal essay for the Common App. You can write a variety of topics, but make sure that you follow their guidelines as you go.For college admissions essays, the most commonly accepted Common App sample essay prompt is one related to your major. You can choose one that is relevant to your major, however it would be a good idea to find out the student's opinion on the Common App before writing yours.Sometimes, a student's opinion can be biased, so ask about the Common App by asking the student directly. Often times, a student who has an interest in your course or class may be willing to offer their opinion, but it is important to be careful with what they say so that it is not just a few lines that may end up hurting yo ur chances of getting into that school.Overall, there are several uses for the Common App. If you are looking for a college essay prompt that gives you tips on writing, the Common App can be a great way to get started.