(no subject)

[kyrene]

*snerk*

I'm apparently an atheist, according to someone on the lists, for believing that the gods are above petty crap like raping mortals and cheating on their spouses.

Since when did people start taking the myths so seriously and literally that they actually believe this sort of crap? And believe that people are atheists who have a different take on what and who the gods are?

My respect for certain aspects of the Hellenic community decreases more and more with each time I have one of these crazy conversations on the lists.

Comments

[fallenkalina.livejournal.com]

Now that's just silly. Have a different opinion on the gods does not make you an atheist.

That being said, one of my starting points is mythology -- but with plenty of other things coloring my viewpoint.

[kyrene-myste.livejournal.com]

I look to various tales of the myths for deeper allegories, but definitely not on indications on how the gods behave. I love the tale of Hades and Persephone, for instance, and I have my own take on that in regards to what it means on various deeper levels. I like to come away from these stories being enlightened, not shaking my head and thinking, "Wow, we worship these beings?"

This is why I can't take Homer seriously and don't get why people think his works are holy writ.

[fallenkalina.livejournal.com]

I like reading interpretations of myths and how they relate to us, and to the Gods. I can't help but to think they were divinely inspired, but that doesn't mean they are literally true. Not by a long shot. Do I think they help us get there, and understand the gods? Oh yes!

But then, I have a degree in English -- I look for metaphor, and I love close readings.

But I sort of like my imperfect gods. ^.^ I can't exactly say why, but I do.

[kyrene-myste.livejournal.com]

Yeah it's the literalness that I tend to object to.

Don't get me wrong--I LOVE the idea that the gods have personalities. But they aren't human beings.

[fallenkalina.livejournal.com]

Very true.

I'm not sure if that precludes them from doing jackassish sorts of things, though.

[kyrene-myste.livejournal.com]

Yeah, for me, I rather see that as human projection. But we do that to each other all of the time--there's really no escaping it.

[ravendreamer.livejournal.com]

I must be an atheist too then. I have never believed in the literal myths, I only believe in the metaphor of them and that each myth has a kernal that can take us deeper spiritually.

[kyrene-myste.livejournal.com]

Yeah that's rather my take on int.