[MD] Demanding Evidence From Theists

[Steven Peterson]

Hi Arlo,

On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 11:49 PM, ARLO J BENSINGER JR <ajb102 at psu.edu> wrote:

> [DMB]
> I think it was Campbell who said "religion is a misunderstanding of
> mythology".
>
> [Steve]
> I doubt Campbell ever said such a thing to condemn all religion.
>
> [Arlo]
> >From Thou Art That: (page 8, section "Metaphor and Mystery") "Mythology
> may, in
> a real sense, be defined as other people's religion. And religion may, in a
> sense, be understood as a popular misunderstanding of mythology."


Steve:
Instead of trying to make me look like a dick (did you have me confused with
Platt or something?) I wish you would have snipped your quote of me after I
pretty much said exactly what this quote of Campbell's says.

Note that this quote is not a condemnation of ALL religion--only religion as
it is commonly practiced. Note also that this quote if taking to encompass
all religion renders the terms religion and mythology both meaningless. If
Campbell had found no value in "other people's religion" he wasted his
career, don't you think?

Best,
Steve