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Religion and Mythology

Examine the topic of religion and mythology, both of which focus on belief and a way to explain the world. The difference between religion and mythology is subtle. The term religion defines a system of formally organized beliefs and practices typically centered around the worship of supernatural forces or beings, whereas mythology is a collection of myths, or stories, belonging to a particular religious or cultural tradition used to explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon. While myths are frequently associated with a religious tradition, they can also have purely cultural associations, such as the folklore of Johnny Appleseed.

The association of myths with persons or things that have only an imaginary or unverifiable existence (e.g., Bigfoot) or ancient belief systems that no longer have adherents (such as classical Greek and Roman mythology based on a pantheon of gods and goddesses) can lead to the erroneous belief that myths are inherently fictional. For this reason, many religious adherents object to having the stories associated with their religion described as myths.

There are over 4,000 religions that are currently practiced in the world. Some of the most prominent include Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. These religions are further divided into denominations and sects that differ from each other in doctrine, theology, and/or style of worship while retaining core beliefs. Religions that are based on belief in a single God are known as monotheistic; religions that are based on belief in many gods are known as polytheistic.

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Additional Topics

                                             Buddhism

                                             Judaism

                              Christianity

                              Mythology

Religion and Mythology Resources

Gale provides religion journals and mythology collections that support research, including databasesprimary source archives, and eBooks.

Databases

Gale databases support religious studies and mythology.

Primary Source Archives

Gale Primary Sources contains full-text religion journals that provide researchers with firsthand content, including historical documents, printed works, and news articles.

Gale eBooks

Gale offers a variety of eBooks covering a wide range of mythology collections, including heroes, ancient Greek gods, ancient Greek legends, and more. Users can add Gale eBooks to a customized collection and cross-search to pinpoint relevant content. Workflow tools help users easily share, save, and download content.

  • Exploring Greek Mythology: Goddesses of Greek Mythology, 1st Edition

    Exploring Greek Mythology: Goddesses of Greek Mythology, 1st Edition

    ReferencePoint Press | 2020 | ISBN-13: 9781682826249

    Hera’s ceaseless efforts to punish the mistresses of her divine but cheating husband and Athena’s emergence in full armor from her heavenly father’s head remain among the more memorable of the goddesses of Greek myths. Each new generation absorbs and passes along these charming tales from ancient Greece.

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  • Exploring Greek Mythology: Gods of Greek Mythology, 1st Edition

    Exploring Greek Mythology: Gods of Greek Mythology, 1st Edition

    ReferencePoint Press | 2020 | ISBN-13: 9781682826225

    Mighty Zeus wielding his frightening thunderbolts and Apollo revealing the future at his famous temple at Delphi are only two of the images of ancient Greek gods that have survived to the present. Modern renditions of the gods, in venues ranging from classic comics to Star Trek, continue to keep these super-beings alive in the public eye.

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  • Exploring Greek Mythology: Heroes of Greek Mythology, 1st Edition

    Exploring Greek Mythology: Heroes of Greek Mythology, 1st Edition

    ReferencePoint Press | 2020 | ISBN-13: 9781682826263

    Invisible to the eye and wearing special shoes that allowed him to fly, the courageous Perseus slew the bloodthirsty monster, Medusa. That familiar tale is among the many surviving stories about bold and courageous ancient Greek legends from the ancient Greek myths, which continue to be told and retold, including on film.

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