Week 2

BLOG PROMPT FOR WEEK 2
The religious traditions we're looking at this week all have a special place for their narrative stories. Using your understanding of the mythic dimension, describe some of the ways myth operates in one of the three Abrahamic religions. What does myth do for the religion? What connections can you make to the other religions we've examined thus far? What connections can you make to the use of myth outside those we've discussed?

Myths are stories of sacred significance that help to explain origins or phenomena. Greek myths and Roman myths are essential to its respective culture; likewise, myths are important to the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Mythical elements and mythical traditions are prominent in Islam, one of the fastest growing religions. For instance, the Qur'an has mythical elements. It mentions that God created humans, angels, and jinn, smokeless and fiery spirits that could be good, bad, or neutral. However, jinn were often perceived negatively because Satan was a jinn.

Moreover, death and the apocalypse are central to Islamic theology. The last suras (chapters) of the Qur'an indicate that life after death exists. Although the specific timeline for what happens after death is unclear, mythical traditions assert that on the last day, resurrection of the dead and final judgment occur. Perhaps simultaneously, perhaps in a specified order. It is during this time that the deceased is deemed either good or bad. If God revealed the left side, then the deceased would go to hell; whereas, if God revealed the right side, then the deceased would go to heaven.

Myths are a core part of Islam, where evidence can be found in the Qur'an. Both mythical elements and mythical traditions are evident in Islam. Furthermore, these same mythical elements and traditions are present in other religions, like Judaism and Christianity. The idea of jinn blending lines with spirits of the dead resonates with Jewish and Christian ideas of death. As mentioned earlier, myths are crucial to religions and cultures like the Greeks and Romans, as well as the Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Additionally, myths are important to religions and cultures like East Asians, Africans, Latin Americans, and numerous others.

Overall, myths are evident in countless religions and cultures beyond the Abrahamic religions Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.