Quote:
Originally Posted by Solon
I'm not sure if I understand perfectly. I certainly think there's merit in determining the historicity of particular events, if only to satisfy antiquarian curiosity, but it really doesn't matter much to me if certain fantastic or supernatural episodes in the Bible are "true" or factual. I have no way of determining if, for instance, a long ago people tried to build a tower to heaven in some type of pre-historic society. What does matter to me is those who believed this story and how it affected them and their actions.
But, if you're referring to the distinction between this type of supernatural story and the basic historical texts (e.g. Chronicles) that can be somewhat established chronologically and geographically, then sure.
What I'm interested in is how myth affects history. I don't really care if the myth is "true" or not. What matters is how historical persons interacted with their myths.
Is this the distinction you're making? If so, we're on the same page.
I wonder if knowing whether there was a real flood that covered the earth, a limited flood that covered the known earth, or an allegorical flood that never happened would really change people's religious beliefs all that much (other than their belief in the flood). I really don't know.
|
I agree with all you say here as far as it goes. Humans' need for myths and capacity for developing and refining them is I think as interesting as any subject. Beyond this, however, it's important, at least for me, to try to see within the gossamer shroud of myth and discern the factual source, mainly to better understand myself. Deconstructing the myth to both better understand human origins and the impact of the myths upon later peoples including ourselves. And in our age this is not a hopeless task. For example, understanding that the source of the King Arthur myth was probably a remnant of Roman nobility trying to hold back the tide of barbarism engulfing his homeland is enlightening and meaningful in its own right, and informs my understanding of my own culture. For me it's important to know that's what's behind the turreted castles, Lancelot, etc.