Mythology has always been an important component of religion. Mythology refers to the concepts related to the sacred and the supernatural. The combination of mythology and religion has helped people throughout history to know themselves and others better, and its legacy is still of importance to us today. Some reasons why the combination of mythology and religion was important to past cultures are:
- <em>It helped provide an answer for the question of creation.</em> Before science was advanced enough to provide answers about the universe, myths of creation were the most accepted answers to the question of why humans exist. These answers, even if inaccurate, provided relief to people, and an explanation for catastrophes and tragedies. They served as coping mechanisms that allowed them to live their lives happily.
- <em>It implemented rituals.</em> Rituals involve acts, events, orders and objects that are relevant to a particular religion. Rituals are important to human life because they provide social control. They also provide a way for human beings to interact profoundly with other members of their community.
- <em>It provided a </em><em>moral code</em><em>. </em>Myths and religions often provide stories of gods or humans that engaged in immoral behaviour, and suffered because of it. They also highlight the accomplishments of heroes or saints. This provided moral guidance for societies, and enabled them to live in relative harmony.
