"Expanded Definition of a Myth"

At first glance, mythology, the study of stories cultures use to explain the surrounding world, appears to be just that: fiction. A further look, however, reveals the definition of mythology is much broader than initially expected. For example, mythology includes support for religions, like Christianity and Judaism. All biblical stories, such as Jesus walking on water or turning water into wine, are considered myths. Also, any beliefs people hold, whether true or false, are part of mythology. An example from my own life is Karma, an east Asian principle of what goes around comes around. Whenever something bad happens to me, I try to remember the last bad thing I did to get this negative karma. That is a specific belief that is considered a part of mythology. Another example of a rarely known definition of mythology is a story about our secret desires as human beings. In Greek mythology, Zeus has affairs with numerous beautiful women. The reader of such myths might wish that he could have such conquests, but cannot due to the judging eye of society. Clearly, mythology cannot be defined in a concise manner. It is a multi-faceted study that includes much more than just entertaining stories. People at some time believed these myths were true; mythology includes religious stories, people's beliefs, and their hidden desires. Mythology is as deep as the human soul, and I look forward to understanding it more fully.