What is the difference between Religion and Mythology?

Religion and Mythology have a tendency to be confused with each other. There has always been the debate around what constitutes Mythology and what would be classified as Religion. We believe that there is a clear distinction on these two elements. What we would like to establish is that our focus is not on the Religious aspects of Mythology. It is on the characters, their lives and stories that define a culture.

Religion

Religion was invented to bring order in chaos

When different ruling classes or monarchs found it difficult to control their subjects they often used religion. The concept of one God was necessary bring all of the citizens under one belief system.

The concept of religion itself was introduced only with the advent of writing in the 16th and 17th century. This was when teachings of various “prophets” were put down in writing giving rise to books like the Quran and the Bible.

These writings were then manipulated to please the controlling figures of the time for their own vested interests.

Mythology

Mythology chronicled ancient wisdom

Mythology was passed down from generation to generation to explain things like the creation of the world. It also talked about the people who lived before us and how we came to be what we are today. There were no rules but had traditions and rituals, some of which are still followed today.

Mythology was more about maintaining an archive of the history of a culture and the learnings are traditions associated with it. It tried to explain things that were beyond human understanding at that point in time.