09) Myths are Powerful Devices, But Devices Nonetheless
By John Fotheringham
Though I am not a member of any particular organized religion, I do find value in many of their core teachings, especially when they are stripped of their dogmatic overtones and interpreted within their historical, pragmatic contexts. Regardless of one’s spiritual beliefs (or lack thereof), we can learn a lot of sage life lessons from the earth’s various religious texts and practices. Each of them represents a given culture’s attempt to explain our world and our proper place in it, evolving within particular historical, geographical, and socioeconomic contexts that shaped their teachings.
“Every religion is true one way or another. It is true when understood metaphorically. But when it gets stuck in its own metaphors, interpreting them as facts, then you are in trouble.” ~Joseph Campbell
Next: 10) Religion and Science Can Both Be Twisted to Serve Any Purpose Return to the List
Author: John Fotheringham
My name is John Fotheringham and I’m a languaholic. I originally hail from Seattle, but have spent most of the past decade living, learning, and working in Japan, Bangladesh, China, and Taiwan. I currently reside in Los Angeles where I am a full-time "manny" (or "bro pair" as my older brother calls me) for my 5-year-old nephew. I focus most on Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish but love all languages. And corny puns. And sushi. You can learn more about my other projects at: http://johnfotheringham.net
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