myths vs narratiives

discussing myths and narratives in class is very interesting. i love that in this class topics that mr D presents to us arent taught but rather discussed. i think that myths are used mainly to explain what isnt fully understood. Last night i was watching ghost adventures and alot of the claims of paranormal activity were kind of a jump to conclusion instead of an actual explanation. now to be fully honest its hard for me to decide where the line between myth and narrative is. i understand what myths and narratives are but i cant explain what a narrative is without sounding like im talking about a myth. i can say that in todays world myths are less common because of our improved communication technologies. it allows us to view other cultures and opens our mind to ideas that small communities may have missed out on in that past. The small myths in this culture are dying out while grand narratives take shape in a bigger community. people who do not believe what everyone else does become the minority and the majority views their beliefs as false myths. i see this alot in religion and i know most people in the society i live in are very defensive of their faith so dont get offended when i say that typically religious stories told in the bible are myths. i read the first few pages and i think its really amazing how tradition of these stories and explanations of where the earth came from are still told and believed today. im not saying its wrong all im saying is the stories were written thousands of years ago. the advancement in technology does not affect the tradition at all which amazes me. we know so much more about the world now compared to then and they are still to this day believed. In brave new world they live to improve, i totally get it. but certain things will not change just because technology improves. it is a warning of what mat become if we put 'progress' in front of everything else and dont take other ideas into consideration. it would happen with anything believed by everyone everywhere. with no outside imput people cannot choose what they believe. all that is ever right is what society tells us.

U.S. Histoy Classes In Texas

This past week we, as a class, discussed the controversial fight over history curriculum. How much faith should be included, if any, into our history books? The conservative reviewers say "the curriculum should clearly

present Christianity as an overall force for good." America is composed of many different nationalities and religions, and to emphasize one religion as being the best in a public school is not what our founding fathers would agree to. If the Bill of Rights states in the first amendment that "congress should make no law respecting an establishment of religion," then why should it be ok that one religion should be clearly presented as an overall force for good to highly susceptible children. I have no problem with teaching the Great Awakening as a historical movement or that early American settlers came here for religious freedom, but when the Board of Education crosses the line between historical fact and opinion, i become irritated. History should be taught as unbiased as possible. Whether or not a neutral history book is possible, the conservatives don't really seem to even try to accommodate to other peoples' beliefs and religions. The least we could do is create a history book that teaches history and not faith. If parents want their children raised and taught a religion, it should be taught at home. Not all families would agree that Watergate, the Vietnam War, and hurricane Katrina were judgements of God.

Several times in the article and during our discussion, comments were made about Christianity being the foundation of our country. I can't deny that there was a strong religious influence in the creation of this country. But the way i see it is that our country may have been founded by christian men, but it was not meant to be a christian dominated country. It was born a free country with open religious opportunities and should remain that way in the sense that there should not be a preference taught to children who are enrolled in public schools. If Rev Marshall is that passionate about the importance of Christianity taught in school, he should enroll his kids into a private christian school. There.. problem solved Rev!! Judging by his job title and his ability to be heard by the Board of Education, I'd guess he is fully capable to afford private education. Leave faith to church and parenting to be taught, not public school. What a jerkasaurus! :)