Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

summer_in_TX

(3,245 posts)
23. Joseph Campbell with whom Bill Moyers held a series of discussions on The Power of Myth,
Tue Nov 21, 2023, 12:19 AM
Nov 2023

Campbell's seminal book, on PBS in the late 1980s, said that all origin myths (religious myths) are attempts to explain something that is a mystery beyond our human capability to put it into words. And that all myths contain elements of the truth that are beyond our putting into words.

I'd been raised as an agnostic (really prejudiced against Christians).I only began going to church in the late 80's myself not because I suddenly believed but because I hit a rough patch and was finally willing to explore whether or not there was a God. Also I was lonely in my new town after moving there a couple of years earlier so started attending a Methodist Church.

A study group in the church began watching the Joseph Campbell Power of Myth interviews and invited me and my husband. It was mind-blowing to hear him explain that myths are a way (or metaphor) of getting at the truths that are part of a mystery (we typically call God) that is impossible to truly put into words. But people can't help but try.

I started wondering what truths about God were being explained in the Christian myth. That curiosity has made all the difference in my life. That isn't to deny the truths of other religious myths, nor to hide from the evil some have done in the name of Christianity that directly contradicts what Jesus taught and said. But unexpectedly I found this one contained powerful and life-affirming truths that were exciting and rewarding to learn about. It's odd, I believe both literally and metaphorically.

I think the blind men exploring the elephant is a good analogy for our limited understanding.

I know how you feel, BlueKota. arkielib Oct 2023 #1
It's hard to walk away from something that was a part of your life BlueKota Oct 2023 #2
Same with the Baptists and other evangelicals. They have lost all credibility. arkielib Oct 2023 #3
In some ways, that kind of teaching in Catholicism wnylib Oct 2023 #15
I always had the feeling that what they taught in the school BlueKota Oct 2023 #16
Early childhood teachings are hard to break away from. wnylib Oct 2023 #17
Joseph Campbell with whom Bill Moyers held a series of discussions on The Power of Myth, summer_in_TX Nov 2023 #23
An Orthodox ☦️ priest reminded me a long time ago that after we are afforded the sprinkleeninow Oct 2023 #4
Thank you! BlueKota Oct 2023 #20
Well, in the Lutheran church that I grew up in, wnylib Oct 2023 #5
Thank you so much. BlueKota Oct 2023 #12
Have you read Armageddon by Bart Ehrman? tanyev Oct 2023 #6
This sounds fascinating. ShazzieB Oct 2023 #7
He's written quite a few books in a similar vein. tanyev Oct 2023 #8
I recommend looking up Bart Ehrman on You Tube. There are wnylib Oct 2023 #11
Bart Ehrman does a great job of explaining Revelation. wnylib Oct 2023 #9
I have not read it yet BlueKota Oct 2023 #13
It's true that mankind's ability to destroy has far outpaced the ability tanyev Oct 2023 #19
Many years ago -- more years than I care to admit -- I read a theory that Revelations was actually shrike3 Oct 2023 #18
Does God change His mind? WDLAL Oct 2023 #10
Thank you! BlueKota Oct 2023 #14
Some very different thoughts on Armageddon: progressive, sensible, Biblical, anti-war hvn_nbr_2 Nov 2023 #21
Fascinating - and different from any interpretation I've heard before. summer_in_TX Nov 2023 #22
Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»Christian Liberals & Progressive People of Faith»I have to admit I always ...»Reply #23