Mythology has always been a favorite subject of mine. It is interesting to see how religion has evolved from animism to polytheism to monotheism. It has been fairly recent on the other hand that I have been introduced to the idea of the Monomyth, which is the theory that all worldly religions are a part of a much larger overarching story. This idea was introduced by American folklorist and author Joseph Campbell in his book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces."

A bit of background knowledge on Campbell: He was born in White Plains, New York on March 26, 1904. Born to an Irish Catholic family, Campbell expressed interest in mythology after watching a performance of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show at Madison Square Garden as a young child. This jumpstarted his love for Native American folklore, which led into Hindu folklore, and eventually mythology in general.

Now why I am drawn to Campbell as an atheist, is that he acknowledges that religion is an important part of society, yet its stories should never be taken as literal. As he once wrote, “Every religion is true one way or another. It is true when understood metaphorically. But when it gets stuck in its own metaphors, interpreting them as facts, then you are in trouble.” The parables written in the great religions of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, etc. are "true" in their own independent mythos but their stories are not to be taken literally when taken outside the context of their mythos.

As an atheist I agree with a large part of what Campbell says on comparative mythology and folklore. I understand why people believe religion to be the most fundamental part of their being. It is something that people hold onto for hope, especially now in such trying times. This I can understand. But the minute you start expressing that your specific mythos has to be taken literal, then there in is the problem! Campbell also writes, "Wherever the poetry of myth is interpreted as biography, history, or science, it is killed.” Essentially you do your mythos no favors by spreading it around as fact. It is, and always shall be, an essential part of the Monomyth.

As a few final words, I would like to say you should give Campbell's works a try. Also if you have time, check out a series of videos he made called "The Power of Myth", which was directed by George Lucas.

May all of you follow your bliss!