The New York Times has a magnificent slide show of Durga Puja (which they inexplicably spell “pujo” throughout).
However, I draw your attention to the text of slide #6, in which Durga’s slaying of Mahisha (the bull-demon) is referred to as a “fable.” One wonders, does the Times refer to Jesus’s distribution of the loaves and fishes as a fable? Or to Moses’s receiving of the ten commandments? Somehow, I don’t think so.
The 9th picture gives me some inspiration…carving stuff out of foam…I could do that……
Yeah. Kinda like how when I tell people I study world mythology, they ask me if that includes Hindu mythology or Native American mythology or something, then go apeshit on me if I ever mention Christian or Jewish mythology.
Exactly, Alix.
One time I was watching Jeopardy and they had a mythology category, which was mostly about Greek and Norse gods, but there was one answer about Shiva. And after the commercial break, Alex Trebek apologized, explaining that they’d gotten calls from Hindu viewers who resented having God Shiva categorized as mythic.
they’d gotten calls from Hindu viewers who resented having God Shiva categorized as mythic
Yeah. Nowadays, I normally say I study world religions – then have to field questions on why I’m reading up on Classical Greek mythology…
Can’t win for losing.
(Sorry for the repeated commenting…)
And it’s annoying, too. Classical Greek or Roman religion, ancient Egyptian religion, ancient Norse/Germanic religions, and some few others are mythologies. So are any modern (as in currently active) pagan or dharmic religions that someone wants to discredit or exoticize.
Native American religions, tribal African religions, and the like are folklore or legends.
Christianity? Judaism? Islam? You’d damn well better not refer to their mythologies (though it’s perfectly accurate), and if you call anything associated with them folklore or legend you’d better be damn clear you’re talking about something extrabiblical or extraquranic…
Can’t win for losing.
Word.
This post reminded me of how much it bugs me when people refer to Pre-Christian Gods in the past tense: “Diana was the Goddess of the Moon,” or “Thor was the God of Thunder.”
Drives me batty when Alex Trebek does it, and even battier when I catch Pagans doing it.