I've been thinking, a lot of problems in our society could be explained as 90% of the population following the dysfunctional mythic journeys Christianity lays out for us. I can think of 3 variants off the top of my head.

The Jesus Myth

Every good Christian aspires to be like Jesus, but the story of his life does not lead to success or happiness. He worked miracles and few cared or noticed. Those who did were Pharisees who criticised him for matters of procedure, breaking one or more obscure law of theirs. They lurked about his preaching, seeking to entrap him into saying something they could use against him. Ultimately Jesus was betrayed by Judas, someone close to him, and sentenced to death.

You see these behaviors all over our society. Modern-day Pharisees who try to stop virtually anyone from doing anything because they don't have the right paperwork or the right license... and have no intention of giving it to them. Any prominent speaker or famous person will be quoted out of context and their reputation destroyed for the slightest remark. And betrayal is everywhere.

The Cross Myth

May Christians take up crosses to bear. And when you do this, there is a mythic journey for it: the Stations of the Cross. While this is primarily part of Catholic belief, it's the journey of the cross, and wittingly or unwittingly, any Christian taking on a heavy burden has started on this road. It's not a fun path to follow. Here, Jesus stumbles 3 times under his burden until he reaches his place of execution. He is mocked, stripped, and tortured. Along the way, a man named Simon carries the cross for him, but only part of the way, some women comfort him with water... but these a brief moments of support, nowhere near what he needs.

You see many people following the Cross Myth their whole lives. Taking up a job they really don't want and working themselves into tired bitter old people, seeing raising their kids as a burden they struggle with, working hard to maintain a relationship or marriage that ultimately turns on them.

The Martyr Myth

This one is perhaps the most common. The story goes that early Christians had to live in hiding and practice their religion in secret, or risk being discovered by Romans who threw the Christians to the Lions in the Colosseum. And many given a chance to renounce their faith and live, righteously refused, and suffered and died horribly for it... thus assuring their place in Heaven.

You see this happening everywhere, all the time. It's a natural impulse while a young man (or woman) to wonder if you have The Right Stuff, if you're strong enough to handle a fight or going to war. Christianity is unique among religions in taking that impulse and applying it to religious belief. The reality is that living in a Christian country, there's just no battle to fight, no Romans or Lions to in sight... so a Christian will start to sing their siren song of "stop persecuting me!" at any target that seems "unchristian" enough - perhaps those atheists over there, or those pagan unbelievers in the park (brownie points with the Lord for burning witches!) or that gay couple next door. Predictably enough, act hostile towards someone long enough and they'll get angry back... seek persecution where none exists and you can bring it on yourself. And then fulfill your perverse destiny to be attacked, suffer, and die like a "good" Christian.

The End Result

Is our civilization. A rogue's gallery of characters who's catchphrases are

"Nobody appreciates my hard work!"

"Everyone's out to get me!"

"All my hard work at this company and this is the 'thanks' I get?"

"Life sucks and then you die."

"I can't be myself!"

"Stop persecuting me!"

...and the worst part is, each one unwittingly takes steps to get out of life the very problems they're experiencing.

There are solutions. We live in an age with unparalleled creativity. There are hundreds of new hero figures that never existed before, each with their own mythic journey to follow, most of them leading to happiness, or at least achievement. Superman, Captain Kirk, Harry Potter, Master Chief, Twilight Sparkle, John McClain, Batman, Frodo, Dr. Who, Link, Luke Skywalker... Surely among all this richness is a better path to follow.

Find yours.