Mythology

1. Mythology In Belief Systems and Popular Culture���

2. The Social and Cultural function of Myths �Myths deal with the questions we all face in our lives, propose ways of being in the world which put us in accord or conflict with those various common dilemmas, and ultimately structure that world.�(Curcio2008) Myths deal with complex issues such as creation of the universe Myths also transmit values � this is often done through a �heroic figure�- Hercules, Samson, Simpson and his donkey�..

3. MYTHOLOGY Myths are stories involving the supernatural that reinforce cultural values. In traditional cultures myths provide models for establishing mores and social norms. In modern culture myths arise from secular society and become part of popular culture

4. Myths-Values-Social Norms Myths contain values that reinforce social norms. The �Jesus� story is a myth that contains a fundamental set of ethics that underpins modern western society. The illegitimate son of a teenage girl- born in an animal shelter- devotes his life to the poor and dispossessed,- brutally killed by the system- defeats death and ascends to heaven.

5. Jesus and Western Values. Values implicit in this story Everyone is valuable Status and power are unimportant Even the worst of people are capable of redemption. (Tax collectors,Prostitutes) Equality is fundamental � no one can be put down because of age, gender ,social class, ethnicity. Do the right thing by every other person

6. Our world today.. These values have created a society where;- Support for the underprivileged and less fortunate is provided Everyone has political equality Crime and punishment is based on redemption and rehabilitation. Freedom is a fundamental of the press, and the individual. All are created equal.

7. Buddhist Mythology The Buddha myth is a reversal of the Jesus myth but the values that it contains are almost identical. A Prince born to luxury finds out about hunger, suffering and death He mediates upon this and comes up with fundamental principles Every living thing has intrinsic value

8. Eightfold pathwww.thebigview.com/buddhism/eightfoldpath.html Everyone should realise that ;- Material success is an illusion and we should live to right in everything and try to avoid the pitfalls of worldly success. Buddha�s invocation to poverty is echoed in the teachings of Jesus some 500 years later. Equality is also important in Buddhist teachings so much in common with Jesus. This may account for the popularity of Buddhism in the west today

9. Buddhist Mythology Buddhism is a philosophical belief system This means that it avoids creating myths Cultures however demand myths � as they are the most effective means of teaching values , especially to children. Different Buddhist societies have however created their own mythology. Case study Mayahana Buddhism and the Monkey King. � China http://www.vbtutor.net/xiyouji/journeytothewest.htm

10. Monkey Magic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVFow9qhb6w http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i7ApyEeAyg&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2JECygSL_E&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1VfW8hR8hs&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OZzAMURtp0&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OZzAMURtp0&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2JECygSL_E&feature=related http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey_to_the_West

11. Values and Monkey Magic Tripitaka (Tipikaka) is on a journey to India to find the original (pure) scripitures He is protected by demons � Monkey representing energy and violence, Pigsy ,representing gluttony and lust, Sandy , representing death and debauchery (he is a cannibal) The story reinforces the triumph of good over evil, vices being controlled by good (Tripitaka) The message is � we can control our vices

12. Rock and Roll Myths Rock and roll has a longstanding association with sex, drugs and general depravity, so it�s a natural breeding ground for myths and legends surrounding some of its more famous and colourful practitioners. It was common in the '70s for rock artists� deaths to be attributed to government conspiracies, and for artists themselves to start or perpetuate rumours of their alleged illicit exploits. Surprisingly enough, some of rock�s most outlandish myths are still circulating, masquerading as true stories.

13. Elvis Presley & Jim Morrison are alive Elvis didn�t die in 1977 but used that as a cover to go into seclusion and get out of the public spotlight. Jim Morrison is alive and someone else�s body is in his grave. In spite of extensive and largely irrefutable evidence to the contrary, there are still those who believe that Elvis is alive and is periodically spotted in convenience stores, restaurants and trailer parks all over the world. Some people still don�t believe that Morrison�s body is the one buried in his grave in a Paris cemetery. The official cause of Morrison�s was listed as a heart attack -- believed by many to have been drug related -- in 1971. One enterprising man has even produced a video (for $24.95 plus shipping) that he claims is Morrison living the life of a cowboy in the Pacific Northwest.

14. Robert Johnson's pact with the Devil Robert Johnson the legendary blues guitarist sold his soul to the devil for the gift of playing guitar ( at Rosedale Crossroads, Mississippi) This was a common theme in Black American culture Eric Clapton has popularised this for almost 4 decades � recording Johnson�s songs constantly. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1798862 for more detail

15. Grace Slick named her daughter �god� Shortly after her baby was born, Slick told a hospital attendant that the baby would be named god, with a small �g� out of respect for the religious significance. Slick admits that she made the remark to a nurse who was wearing a crucifix, but says she meant it as a joke. Given her well known drug use and her prominent role in the pioneering Psychedelic Rock group Jefferson Airplane, it wasn�t hard to believe that she was serious. Slick�s daughter�s name is and always has been China Kantner (her father being Jefferson Airplane guitarist/vocalist Paul Kantner.)

16. Rock Myths The pact with the Devil is a common theme �often called the Faustian Legend. This myth reinforces the value of courage and the strength to challenge accepted mores. This enables people to accept new ideas and helps remove taboos In Rock it was part of the process of making Black culture acceptable to all

17. The Resurrection Myth Cultural heroes are often given superhuman attributes such as the ability to cheat death. Elvis and Tu Pac are examples People invest emotional energy in their stars and cannot accept that this � the �death is denied� � The fan can feel at ease http://www.ElvisSightingBulletinBoard.com/

18. God and god Rock has always championed secular society and often been anti religion People have a need to cope with complex issues like creation, birth and death and look for a figurehead Rock stars have been given this role Eric Clapton was given the title of God in the early 70s.In in the Rock Opera, Tommy (1969) Clapton plays a religious role in the veneration of Marilyn Monroe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncirzwpMbJ0