KateJust found out that, in Aztec mythology, the first ‘challenge’ for spirits on their way to the land of the dead (Mictlan) is in the ‘place of dogs’ (Itzcuintlan). At this place, there is a river, and you can only cross it if you have loved a dog in your lifetime, or been kind to dogs. Your dog will even be there to guide you across the river, and will accompany you for the remaining 8 challenges 🥹
Ryan J. Suto@pettypierrot Honest question: is it OK to call beliefs like this "mythology" instead of "religion"? If they truly believed this, isn't that like calling the Holy Trinity "Catholic mythology"? Or is there a difference?
@RyanJSuto mythology in this sense only describes a collection of traditional stories associated with a religion or belief system, and doesn’t imply that these things are inherently false. It’s often used particularly to describe stories that are no longer common belief. I think I equally could have used ‘religion’ though! Apologies if I caused offence.
@RyanJSuto I’m definitely no expert on mythology/theology or the linguistics surrounding those fields of study, I might add!
@pettypierrot thanks for the explanation and definitely no offense taken!
I have just always thought--whenever I hear about what the ancient Aztecs, Greeks, Egyptians, Mesopotamians, etc. believed about the afterlife--that what people believe today really stands no better chance of being correct.
And wasn't sure how people who study these things think of it.
@RyanJSuto I think it’s an important question to raise is definitely something that is commonly talked about in academic circles!