Dull thoughts on a shiny, shiny world.
Mythologies of the heart
Published on April 25, 2008 By cactoblasta In Philosophy

Every single person has a mythology that speaks to them. It's a philosophy that appeals to their head and their heart, an amalgamation of everything they believe in, with just the right amount of drama and pragmatism.

For me it's always been Catholicism. Don't get me wrong - I've always had a soft spot for comparative religion, and am as happy reading about Tiki gods and Horus as anyone.

But when it comes to mythologies that make a beeline for my imagination, it's Catholicism hands down. For me they've got it all - falling angels and rising demons, conflict, indiscriminate smiting and, in the latest revisions, a real taste for humanitarian intervention and the ascendancy of the human spirit. This is most commonly expressed through schlock movies and books.

For example, I was probably one of dozens who like the 2005 Nenanu Reaves movie, Constantine. It wasn't great in any real way, but the mythology of it was very appealing. A man caught between the devious manipulations of heaven and hell, with nothing in his favour except himself. It's all very modern yet with a historical basis that I can't resist. That godawful Scharwezegger movie set in 1999/2000 was another in the same vein. The Catholic Church has a great and deep history, which combined with its legendary secrecy and odd rituals makes for a fertile ground for the imagination.

This quasi-apocalyptic mythology offers a combination of hope and fear, but primarily a huge amount of drama and the possibility that celestial beings actually care about humanity enough to fight about it. Somehow it's reassuring even if I don't believe it on a personal level.

Other people have a different source of inspiration. For some, the words of the Dalai Lama or other great Buddhist mystics conjure the world in which they seek to live, with its strong themes of compassion, wisdom, forbearance and tolerance. They show the world a better way through self-knowledge and, to some extent, self-forgiveness through works.

The appeal, so far as I can I see, is once again hope. Hope that you can change yourself. And I think it's pretty grounded hope. People can change, but only if they choose to. Buddhism seems to offer a genuine opportunity to those who have what it takes to live it.

Then there are those who thrill to the idea of the puritan gods of yesteryear. Whether it's the flagellation of Christianity or the sacrifice of other blood and flesh cults, they are drawn to the darkness and the purity that can seemingly only be found through suffering.

The less said about these the better, but we all know someone who dwells in misery and despair and seeks to spread it to all they know. Their suffering is their bible and their congregation the world. They will see all downcast so that they do not feel so alone. Theirs is a dark mythology, but at its heart it contains the same hope and striving for a better tomorrow that all religion offers.

Others still seek order above all. We meet them from time to time, constructing rigid hierarchies and rules for a reality which refuses all categorisation. Some call themselves atheists, but really they come in every stripe. They can be terrible - with the search for certainty comes judgement, and with judgement comes tyranny - but in many ways the pursuit of order is the foundation of civilisation. It is the expression - whether in the organisation of the sacrificial virgin roster or in the harmonies of a choir - that determines its morality, if indeed morality is even relevant to the seeker of harmony. Those who seek to resonate with the celestial spheres rarely notice the meteors that lie broken in their wake.

These are but a few of the mythologies. There are many more, and I could not even begin to touch on them all. We know what we believe in. These beliefs change our world. They shape it for ourselves and those around us. And on a superficial level they direct the amount of bullshit we are capable of believing in. 

For a couple of hours I will willingly believe that Lucifer cares so much for humanity that he would fight for our souls with heaven itself. It's absurd. I know it on every level. But I still sit fascinated no matter how clumsily the argument is made. My soul listens to the story and wants it to be true.

The horrible fact is though that it doesn't matter if it is true or not. The mythologies I want to believe in are less important than other people. They are hopes, dreams, desires that can never know realisation. It is in their rejection that I find a skerrick of peace, not in pursuing them. The zealot, who lives their mythology from day to day, is cursed to never find the realisation of their passion save possibly through death.

So occasionally I enjoy a movie, or a piece of music, or a story which by all objective reports is utterly awful. I wouldn't give up my mythology for anything. To hear a Latin chant or to see some godawful movie about fantastical Catholic stuff is to in some way rejuvenate my faith in humankind. It's an expression of self that I wouldn't give up for all the taste in China. 

Would you?


Comments
on Apr 25, 2008
2005 Nenanu Reaves movie, Constantine


Excellent article. I agree! But my tastes run to the more exotic. I like looking at the edges of all faiths/beliefs and exploring the edges. There you will find the most intriguing things. I am Catholic, and do enjoy that mystique (and no, I dont buy into the mumbo jumbo that some attach to it) of it, but then I really get into Hinduism much more. The constant conflict of the 3 beings/Giods, and how that translates into the human experience.

But on Keanu, is that a pet name? Or do you havea bone to pick with him?
on Apr 25, 2008

I was raised under the Catholic doctrine but abandoned it when I was a young adult.  But I too still enjoy the mythology of it all, including 'Constantine' (count me in the dozen or so who enjoyed the movie).  I can also recommend 'Dogma' for a blithe and humourous take on multiple doctrines.

But I have to warn you, do not be sucked in to watching 'Gabriel'.  It was atrocious and I'll never get bac the hour and a half I wasted watching it.

on Apr 26, 2008
For a couple of hours I will willingly believe that Lucifer cares so much for humanity that he would fight for our souls with heaven itself. It's absurd. I know it on every level. But I still sit fascinated no matter how clumsily the argument is made. My soul listens to the story and wants it to be true.

Religion.... i was an atheistic writer until about a year and a half ago. I don't know what happened, but after writing a book on military intelligence and a huge book of atheistic short stories, I suddenly began to have dreams about God and other mystical events. I was very surprised to say the least. I write in a lot of voices, like on the radio show, where I played ten characters (still up as podcastes on fearlesradio.com under peace and pipedreams; i was going from this silly, x rated, cheechs and chongs tinmes ten kind of show, then going home and writing poetry in the voice of Christ, a book about him waking up in the now. It is intense. Two jehova witness churches thought I was the Christ. I write a lot of sci fi too, and sci fi writers are always getting letters about starting religions. Robert e heinlen wrote strange in a strange land and got offers for years. Anyways, I am not trying to promote myself or anything, but I have been writing a christ that is probably sacriliges to catholics. But, And I am writing this comment because of the quote abovfe.... my jesus goes into hell and absolves the fallen angels of their sins, and offers everyone in hell the ability to reincarnate into a better world, which he is ushering in. I will give you the site, but please keep in mind that it is in reverse order in the blog. I am putting a manuscript together today.... which is why I am in here .... procrastinating. I had the same editor for fifteen years, but she hated the comedy turn... Oh, well. Here is the site if you want to check out my attempt to shed some light on man's path to God

http://wakingupjesus.blogspot.com this is marked an adult site, but there is no porn or anything.
on Apr 26, 2008

For a couple of hours I will willingly believe that Lucifer cares so much for humanity that he would fight for our souls with heaven itself. It's absurd. I know it on every level. But I still sit fascinated no matter how clumsily the argument is made. My soul listens to the story and wants it to be true.

I wouldn't even give that thought a few minutes....

Satan cares for no one but himself. 

on Apr 27, 2008
I am Catholic, and do enjoy that mystique (and no, I dont buy into the mumbo jumbo that some attach to it) of it, but then I really get into Hinduism much more. The constant conflict of the 3 beings/Giods, and how that translates into the human experience.


Hinduism has never really appealed, if only because the Ramayana is stultifyingly boring. And Mr Reaves is the world's worst actor - he has one role and he does it badly every time.

But I have to warn you, do not be sucked in to watching 'Gabriel'. It was atrocious and I'll never get bac the hour and a half I wasted watching it.


Too late. It was one of the worst Australian movies I've ever seen, and considering the field, that's saying something. I'm thankful it was just 90 minutes.

http://wakingupjesus.blogspot.com this is marked an adult site, but there is no porn or anything.


Wow, a crackpot. I get all the luck.

Satan cares for no one but himself.


If that was true why fight for the souls of mankind? No, if Satan exists then he obviously cares, if only because he wants to violate your soul personally or possess it or whatever. Just because you care about something doesn't mean you're nice to it.
on Apr 27, 2008
Do you mind if I only make superficial comments? Ha.

For example, I was probably one of dozens who like the 2005 Nenanu Reaves movie, Constantine.


I liked it, but I generally like bad movies.

Just because you care about something doesn't mean you're nice to it.


Nice quote. I might have to steal it!
on Apr 27, 2008

You know what, you bring up some excellent points and now that I've thought about it, I like Catholicism too.  I loved Constatine! In fact, I could sit and watch it four times without bliking!LOL!

I also like watching movies with a message and that makes you have that good feeling for humanity and all that stuff!  Heck, thanks for pinning it down for me!

 

Great article!

on Apr 27, 2008
If that was true why fight for the souls of mankind?


it's not out of love but out of hate he fights.

He's a usurper.

Did you know there are at least 22 names for him in the scriptures? Here's a few.

Accuser of the Brethren
A Liar
Murderer
Belial (vile, ruthless)
The Tempter
The Wicked One
The Enemy
Dragon
Apollyon (destroyer)

No, if Satan exists then he obviously cares, if only because he wants to violate your soul personally or possess it or whatever. Just because you care about something doesn't mean you're nice to it.


so would that be how you would describe say Hitler or Stalin, or Hussein or Manson? They did what they did because in all reality they cared? Even if they weren't very nice?

on Apr 27, 2008
I liked it, but I generally like bad movies.


I think we all do. I actually laughed out loud watching Norbit, but then I do have a soft spot for a poorly thought out fat joke.

FS: No worries. I was just thinking about it after watching it again a few nights ago and I realised there was a common thread behind all these badly acted dramas that I like.

it's not out of love but out of hate he fights.


Hate is no less an attractive force than love. You can only hate if the target is important to you in some way. Otherwise you're indifferent. It's just the way things work.

so would that be how you would describe say Hitler or Stalin, or Hussein or Manson? They did what they did because in all reality they cared? Even if they weren't very nice?


Of course. Hitler had a grand vision of a powerful Germany, and he would do anything for it, no matter how depraved or despicable. He didn't care about the Jews (so far as I can tell) but he did consider their fate to be very important. Stalin was much the same - he cared so deeply about the threat of others that he slaughtered them mercilessly, because in his view he was the only one capable and deserving of ruling Russia.
on Apr 27, 2008

Too late. It was one of the worst Australian movies I've ever seen, and considering the field, that's saying something. I'm thankful it was just 90 minutes.

Ah, bugger...  I didn't know it was Australian, just that it was absolutely dreadful.  I thought about writing a review to warn others then realised I hated it so much I couldn't even be bothered doing a review.

on Apr 27, 2008
Of course. Hitler had a grand vision of a powerful Germany, and he would do anything for it, no matter how depraved or despicable. He didn't care about the Jews (so far as I can tell) but he did consider their fate to be very important. Stalin was much the same - he cared so deeply about the threat of others that he slaughtered them mercilessly, because in his view he was the only one capable and deserving of ruling Russia.


so going with what you're saying here.......Satan actually really doesn't care for mankind but has a bigger picture in mind (which he does care about) and therefore went after man's souls with this purpose in mind? So, according to what you're saying Satan does care, it's just not for man's souls?

I see Hitler as a man possessed by Satan. He was but a tool in the hands of a very depraved mind.






on Apr 27, 2008
Dyno: Yeah, I considered doing a review as well but realised I didn't care enough. And what was with the eyes? There must have been a discount on contact lenses on the day they filmed that movie.

So, according to what you're saying Satan does care, it's just not for man's souls?


Exactly. He cares about souls, but only in that they have a use.
on Apr 27, 2008
And what was with the eyes? There must have been a discount on contact lenses on the day they filmed that movie


And on really overblown CGI effects too. It was a woeful story with a 'twist' I saw within the first 10 minutes and the acting was so hammy I thought I could smell pig poop.

Without a doubt the worst movie I've seen in a long, long time.
on Apr 27, 2008
Exactly. He cares about souls, but only in that they have a use.


ok I guess I can agree with you in a roundabout way. It's putting "Satan" and "caring" in the same sentence I have trouble with. Basically tho isn't that the same as what I said earlier that Satan loves himself? Isn't it "all about me" mentality? They are useful to him?

This doesn't sound like what you said here:

If that was true why fight for the souls of mankind? No, if Satan exists then he obviously cares, if only because he wants to violate your soul personally or possess it or whatever. Just because you care about something doesn't mean you're nice to it.


I don't think he cares a whit about our souls only cares about how these souls can further his agenda against God.





on Apr 27, 2008
Ah, mythology. I love all kinds...though I'm not sure if I have a favorite. Perhaps Greek...I've always found the gods with human faults very interesting. Even divinity is not perfect and can be swayed with passion, anger, love, desire...it's very interesting indeed.

~Zoo