Austin Farrer Can Myth be Fact - Essay Example

Can Myth Be Fact” by Austin Farrer Myths are tales that are known to be stories running since generations. Every cultural system and religion portrays these myths in their own ways while focusing on a similar central idea. The time when the myth was written is not actually significant but rather it is the concept and the idea of the legend that is important. Myths bear a long history of development. The origin of myth dates to the olden times and it is through explanation that it is learnt that myths are closely associated with reality and it is the analysis of the myth in a broad term which assists in reaching to this result.

During the early ages, the human mind was very undemanding. They had a strong belief in legends to interpret their everyday living and it was through these myths that they identified themselves. The myths which included examples of the rewards that were given to the people who were kind by the gods were implied by people in their lives. But with the passing time, want and search for knowledge led the human beings to challenge these myths. It was then left to the historians and the philosophers to work and argue regarding these legends.

But immediately following this period was the emergence of Christianity which worked to save the myths. It was then explained that God had provided the mortals with a confined thought which they used to analyze the infinite truths that were given to them by God. The words that they used were a giving of God and it was through this that they constructed myths. Hence since the initial creator of the myth was God, therefore the myth must be a reality. Another justification which closely relates a myth to truth is the explanation provided by the believers who claim that God lies in the “nature” that exists around us.

To strengthen this fact, it can be seen that principles exist for the physics of matter. An example to support this is the idea that the temperature at which water boils is constant. This physical law of water is not told to us by nature but it is rather through research and knowledge that we understand this fact. Hence the myths and legends are a part of everything that exists around us and these form the cultural and religious laws of nature which are to be understood and analyzed by the human beings themselves.

The myths are legends which drove human beings to perform acts which would otherwise be termed as ridiculous. For instance the prayers performed by people to end a situation of drought so that water could be received. A believer in religion and God would definitely turn to agree with the myths since religion provides a very convincing answer to them. But the question that in this case a myth should have no meaning for an atheist. Also if nature provides a definitive way to search for the physical law of matter then why a confirmative way to fully support a myth is not provided.

The physical state of matter follows the same principle around the globe for example the boiling temperature of pure water stays the same everywhere. So if the physical laws of nature remain constant everywhere then why are the spiritual laws of nature different everywhere. This can be seen from the fact that myths have different presentations in different places and locations.