Greek Mythology

[RadkeLover]

do you believe in it for part of your religion or do you just believe it could happen? or you just enjoy reading it? or do you hate it?

[ReluctantPegasister]

I think it is an interesting idea. It certainly appeals to me more then monotheism ever did, back when I believed in such things. The idea that even the Gods can be bested, and there is a different God for everyone.

In terms of the actual mythology... people don't turn into spiders, enough said. They are cool stories though.

[JKmadu619]

I find it interesting, and I have no shame to admit that the ever so poular series "Percy Jackson" has played a role in it.

At the same time, I don't even slightly believe in any of it.

- Justin

[RadkeLover]

Originally Posted by Maeve

In terms of the actual mythology... people don't turn into spiders, enough said. They are cool stories though.

i meant mainly the Gods and Godesses not the whole turn to spider thing which myth is that from? i havnt heard that one

[The Morrigan]

I personally love any kind of mythology. I'd like to believe in them but the logical side of me won't let me

[ReluctantPegasister]

Originally Posted by RadkeLover

i meant mainly the Gods and Godesses not the whole turn to spider thing which myth is that from? i havnt heard that one

For the sake of other folks I'll answer you here as well. The myth of Athena and Arachne is my favorite Greek/Roman myths in which Athena punished Arachne for being vain and turned her into a spider.

[Eldora]

I did at one point in time, for about... Two years, three? The religion is called Hellenic Polytheism nowadays. I still find the subject quite interesting, and on the occasion that I feel the overwhelming urge to pray to something in very desperate situations, it's usually one of the Hellenic gods.

[ThornedRose]

I just absolutely LLLLLLLLLLOVVVVVVVE mythology in general. The stories are so unique and enchanting but it doesn't play a role in my beliefs. I still love it though

[Rise]

I sound like a kid but ever since getting hooked onto the Percy Jackson Series; I got hooked onto greek mythology. It amazes me the value ship they had for there gods and legends.

[Kate*]

I don't follow it as a religion or anything, but I LOVED reading about it and I still think the stories are cool

[Sythan]

I love Greek Mythology, and Roman Mythology as well. I don't believe some of the things actually happened, like Athena and Arachne. I think much of has to do with symbolic means. Being a Pagan/Heathen, it's apart of my religion.

[Lugez]

Cool stories. I also find it interesting how people back then used this to answer questions that they couldn't. Would be a more interesting world if they were real though.

[dr2005]

Unfortunately Terry Pratchett's Discworld stories have made it all but impossible for me to take Greek mythology seriously anymore - well, that and the Disney film Hercules. As a response to the questions of the day it's certainly an interesting one, but for me it sounds too much like a celestial version of Eastenders or Dallas...

[Nostalgia]

Yeah I don't follow it as a religion but I do remember when I was about 10 years old reading about it and being interested in it just the stories were soo cool.

[Cosmo]

I find it absolutely fascinating. I love Greek, Roman, Egyptian etc. mythology, anything ancient just is interesting to me.

[AmazonQueen]

I believe in it solely as mythology. I like to admire the goddesses, gods, demigods, titans, and the creatures like the hell hound for example. All these things fascinate me. The era's that believed in these gods fascinate me to ei: Spartans, Romans...etc.

[craz33me]

It interests me.
Sometimes I wonder if they were real and stuff, or just simply a belief.

But who knows?

[Dedalus]

Well, I'm doing an MA in Classics, focusing on the literature and of the 5th century athenian polis. The myths are facinating in themselves, but even more so on a broader view. If one sees that the Olympian gids (Zeus, Apollo, etc.) are not moral guides for the Greeks and are feared rather than adored it opens up a new dimension. I had a whole class last semester on how the Greeks were philosophically pessimistic prior to Plato because of the structure of their religion. I mean there was no redemption in the afterlife, the gods were awful with no justice. And I would be very interested in doing a study on hero cults (mortals like Achilles who were worshipped) as certain figures challenged the gods and were killed and the people looked up to them.

Then also, what I find fascinating, is the divisions between the immortal figures. The Olympian gods vs the titans vs the old gods (Cronos, the Furies, etc.) and the fear that one might outdo the other to gain control of heaven. Indeed, the Titans seemed the nicest because they brought fire and technology.

But this brings me on to the point I find most interesting is that in the mythology humans straddle the boundary between divine and animal. It is out moratality which prevents us from ever being able to rule heaven and the gods consistently strike down any mortal who tries to overstep the boundaries of being human - Ajax, Oedipus, Neoptolemus, Agamemnon, etc.

[Dream]

Even if I did believe in them, I would never want to meet them. If you read the stories, bad things almost always happen to mortals who have encounters with the Greek gods.

[Toz]

I can't see how it is any more a myth than Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, or any other religion.