Mythology
Throughout human history, cultures have produced a rich tapestry of myths, deities, legends, and religions. Many of these concepts overlap -- either from similar conditions, such as worship of the sun that shines on all, or from cultural cross-polination, the stories of one culture being added to the lore of another. In an effort to be as impartial as possible, I have treated all deities and their stories as mythology, without regard to survival into modern times as popular religion.
Index
Creation
Genesis is only one of many "how it all began" stories. Those who wish to focus on creationism should be prepared to teach them all -- and not just one old favorite.
Goddesses
Humankind's oldest deities are female and often in triple form. Far in advance of Christianity's Holy Trinity, different cultures worshiped the Maiden, the Mother, and the Wise Woman. In later years some forms remained sacred while others have become vilified.
Gods
From divine youth, to virile stag lord, to Father Christmas, the God has also taken on triple form. Like the Goddess, some forms retained sacred aspects while others sank into folk tale and even demonization.
Justice, Truth, and Chaos
Abstract concepts of good must confront the brutal realities of life. Nature is not always kind nor explicable.
Sacrifice
Osiris, Tamuz, Dionysus -- all had trod that path before Jesus claimed a place of sacrifice for all mankind. What does sacrifice of a god or sacrifice to a god tell us about the gods, ourselves, and our understanding of the world?
Apocalypse Now
Will the Big Bang end in the Big Crunch or does mythology offer different ideas of the end?
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