Definition: Relate in imaginative detail a believed truth, conveyed by historiography, legends, edifying parables and folklore
Catholic Christianity
The myths in Catholic Christianity are found in the sacred text,
the Holy Bible. Some are teachings from the prophet Jesus
Christ, known as parables while others describe miracles, both
healing and nature, such as:
• The Creation story (nature miracle)
• Adam and Eve (nature miracle)
• The Cleansing of the Man with Leprosy (healing miracle)
• Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter to Life (healing miracle)
These stories are not meant to be taken literally though, but
rather, as a life lesson. For example, the story of Adam and Eve
shouldn't be taken in such that they were made in the image of
what God looked like but were made in the image of his spirituality
and in the Creation Story, it shouldn't be taken that the entire
universe was made in 6 days, but rather, every evolutionary change
is an act of creation, where 1 day is a stage in evolution.
the Holy Bible. Some are teachings from the prophet Jesus
Christ, known as parables while others describe miracles, both
healing and nature, such as:
• The Creation story (nature miracle)
• Adam and Eve (nature miracle)
• The Cleansing of the Man with Leprosy (healing miracle)
• Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter to Life (healing miracle)
These stories are not meant to be taken literally though, but
rather, as a life lesson. For example, the story of Adam and Eve
shouldn't be taken in such that they were made in the image of
what God looked like but were made in the image of his spirituality
and in the Creation Story, it shouldn't be taken that the entire
universe was made in 6 days, but rather, every evolutionary change
is an act of creation, where 1 day is a stage in evolution.
Aboriginal Spirituality
The myths and sacred stories in Aboriginal Spirituality are similar, if not the same at all, to their sacred texts. Majorly, the 'myth' which is mostly recited or drawn in Aboriginal Spirituality is of the Dreamtime. Many people believe the Dreamtime is just one story about Aboriginal culture, however, it is in fact many stories compiled into a time known as the Dreaming. Many animals are mentioned in these stories as they represent symbolic features of Aboriginal Spirituality. One of the most well-known stories is the Crow and the Eagle:
It begins with a Crow who is originally white in colour who is best friends with an Eagle. The Crow would feast each day but would lie to the Eagle about catching anything. When the Eagle suspects this, he goes to the billabong where the Crow finds his meals and stakes the Crow out. The Eagle sees the Crow cooking some food and jumps out of his hiding to accuse him. Out of anger, the Eagle threw the Crow in the ashes of the fire which he was cooking in, causing him to burn black for his greediness. The Eagles feather also
burnt, causing him to turn brown. The crow was disciplined for his greediness
as this is why he is the colour black today.
It begins with a Crow who is originally white in colour who is best friends with an Eagle. The Crow would feast each day but would lie to the Eagle about catching anything. When the Eagle suspects this, he goes to the billabong where the Crow finds his meals and stakes the Crow out. The Eagle sees the Crow cooking some food and jumps out of his hiding to accuse him. Out of anger, the Eagle threw the Crow in the ashes of the fire which he was cooking in, causing him to burn black for his greediness. The Eagles feather also
burnt, causing him to turn brown. The crow was disciplined for his greediness
as this is why he is the colour black today.
Islamic Religion
The myths and stories in Islam are generally about the Prophet Mohammed and his life experiences, however, rarely found in the Qur'an as real encounters for there are only four times when the Prophet's life stories are told. There are allusions, albeit, which can provide an idea of the Prophet's life. One such story is of the Prophet Mohammed and the Spider:
A long time ago, prophet Muhammad and his companion Abu Bakr, were travelling to the city of Al-Madinah. The prophet had been invited to become the leader of the people in the city of Al-Madinah, due to his wisdom, trustworthiness and faith in Allah. While travelling, the prophet and his companion were told that some men from Mecca were after them to harm them. These men who were looking for the prophet believed in many Gods, known as polytheists. They were very upset at the prophet because he taught the people that there was only one God worthy of worship, Allah. The prophet and his companion took shelter in the Cave of Thawr. While inside the cave, a spider had spun a web across the entrance of the cave. At that time, the men from Mecca were getting closer and closer to the cave. When they arrived at the cave, they only saw the spider's web at the entrance. They thought that no one could have entered the cave because the spider's web had not been broken. At that time, the prophet was standing in prayer while Abu Bakr watched. Abu Bakr then said to the Prophet, "Those are your people searching for you. It's not for myself I am sad, but because I might see something terrible might happen to you". The prophet Replied "Abu Bakr don't be afraid God is with us". The people from Mecca then left without causing harm to the prophet. Allah had protected our prophet and his companion from harm once again. Afterwards our prophet arrived at the city of Al-Madinah where he and Abu Bakr, were welcomed by all the people there. This journey that prophet Muhammad took is known as the Hijrah.
The significance of this story is of the spider and it's web. The spider, in this instance, is a messenger of God, as he protects the Prophet. Spider webs are very flimsy and can be easily broken, but the fact that it remained strong and intact as the people from Mecca were searching for Mohammed, they decided not to check inside, thus describing the power of Allah and how his command can be placed on any living being.
A long time ago, prophet Muhammad and his companion Abu Bakr, were travelling to the city of Al-Madinah. The prophet had been invited to become the leader of the people in the city of Al-Madinah, due to his wisdom, trustworthiness and faith in Allah. While travelling, the prophet and his companion were told that some men from Mecca were after them to harm them. These men who were looking for the prophet believed in many Gods, known as polytheists. They were very upset at the prophet because he taught the people that there was only one God worthy of worship, Allah. The prophet and his companion took shelter in the Cave of Thawr. While inside the cave, a spider had spun a web across the entrance of the cave. At that time, the men from Mecca were getting closer and closer to the cave. When they arrived at the cave, they only saw the spider's web at the entrance. They thought that no one could have entered the cave because the spider's web had not been broken. At that time, the prophet was standing in prayer while Abu Bakr watched. Abu Bakr then said to the Prophet, "Those are your people searching for you. It's not for myself I am sad, but because I might see something terrible might happen to you". The prophet Replied "Abu Bakr don't be afraid God is with us". The people from Mecca then left without causing harm to the prophet. Allah had protected our prophet and his companion from harm once again. Afterwards our prophet arrived at the city of Al-Madinah where he and Abu Bakr, were welcomed by all the people there. This journey that prophet Muhammad took is known as the Hijrah.
The significance of this story is of the spider and it's web. The spider, in this instance, is a messenger of God, as he protects the Prophet. Spider webs are very flimsy and can be easily broken, but the fact that it remained strong and intact as the people from Mecca were searching for Mohammed, they decided not to check inside, thus describing the power of Allah and how his command can be placed on any living being.