Science and Mythology

Can it be possible for both mythology and science to coexist?  I think so, I mean why couldn't they?

It was interesting that this topic came up seeing as a few days ago I read an article from 2014 in the Washington Post on Pope Francis and how he stated that he did not necessarily disagree with evolution. In fact, Pope Francis was basically supporting evolution saying "Evolution in nature is not inconsistent with the notion of creation, because evolution requires the creation of beings that evolve." Essentially, Pope Francis was saying that both science and the religious belief in a god can coincide. Both science and religious beliefs can be true. So while evolution is how we change and evolve as a species, Pope Francis would say that it is God who created what allows us to evolve. I myself am not very religious and do not associate myself with any religion, however I do respect and find intrigue in the beliefs of religions and mythology. I very much believe that something is out there greater than us, but I also believe that science is one of human natures greatest tools in achieving answers that we have yet to discover.

Mythology and Science are very important to our society. Which is more important would be up to your own opinion. I feel that these two ideas balance our society. Without one, our society would be imbalanced. Mythology gives us the ideas and stories that intrigue and spark new innovations in our minds. Science gives us the right tools to investigate and try those innovations, whether it's proving mythology right or wrong or just to explain why people have created mythology. For example, in the legend of the minotaur where people believed the ground would shake due to the minotaur's roar under the earth in the labyrinth, it was science that ultimately discovered that those "shakes" were actually earthquakes. Science helped us understand why these people created the minotaur myth. With out the myth, Science wouldn't have anything to explain. Without Science, people would most likely still be thinking there was a minotaur under the earth causing the ground to shake.

One of my many hopes for our world and society is that one day, everyone could except each other's ideas and opinion. I find that we as a society have become very closed minded to others and that needs to change. We all don't have to agree, however we should all be able to get along in this world. Agreeing to disagree with respect for the other person's opinions and ideas would be the first step to solving many issues we all seem to be dealing with.

Creation Myths

Myths are one of the most amazing pieces of literature to read. The creativity in them is beyond most other forms of writing. Myths bring you to an entirely different way of thinking about the world through it's creativity. To think that it was people who thought of these stories and the imagination they had to have is crazy. Is it though?
Everyone at some point in their life has thought about why they are here. Why are we in this world? Are we made to be here, or are we just a coincidence? I have no doubt that those who created these myths thought these questions as well. Humans are curious creatures who want answer to all questions. It can be extremely unsettling no knowing things in our lives. To put to rest the unrest, I believe these people used myths. Having an explanation, whether plausible or not, settles the feeling of not knowing . It is much easy to have stories that explain natural phenomena than to go about life not knowing. Creations myths are one of the many examples. These people didn't know how the world started, even today we can't give a hundred percent correct explanation. In order to settle the unrest of these unanswered questions, they created stories to explain them in ways that made sense and were natural to them. So many different cultures have their own creation myth that explains to them how the world started in a way that reflected their culture as well. This is why the Icelandic creation myth has frost giants. Other cultures, such as the Native American and Meso-Americans probably would be in a different climate in which a frost giant would not make sense and so it isn't in their creation myth. The themes of creation myths, however, tend to cross paths.
Many creation myths, and myths in general, are very good at providing morals to those that hear or read them. Often times the theme of good vs evil is presented, such as how good and evil came about. I find this as not only the most interesting theme of myths but also one of the most important. All morals are surrounded by the idea of good vs evil. We are nice to each other because the opposite would to be mean. We help others because the opposite would be being rude or neglectful to someone. If we didn't have myths such as creation myths to tell us good vs evil, how else would we learn it? How else would people know that being good is better than being bad? Creation myths give us a society with ideals and morals of which that can be passed down and taught. They greatly affect ourselves individually and as a whole. Our morals or lack of thereof guide us in life.

My name is Emily, I am a sophomore at Valencia and planning to graduate after this coming summer semester. My goal is to eventually become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner after attending UCF and graduating with a doctorate degree. I'm a huge soccer fan and love working with the Orlando City soccer team volunteering at the games when I can. I am extremely fascinated by mythology and chose to name my blog after the lunar goddess Achelois. I love the moon so much that I actually now have a tattoo of it. I love going to new places and learning about the different areas. I want to travel to many places, especially Europe. I look forward to this semester and everything to come.

This is a photo I took at Red Rocks in Denver, Colorado on a trip for my uncle's wedding.