I wrote a post about this on my Facebook and it got a nice amount of attention from people who had liked the page at the time. In this post I want to explain why I like talking about the mythologies found throughout Latin America. It’s not just because these are remarkable deities who could help redefine the fantasy genre, but that is part of it.

Expanding knowledge related to the beliefs that the people who lived in the Americas once believed (and still do believe in some instances) is empowering to skepticism. Christianity and Catholicism have spread throughout the Americas in a mixture of genuine conversion, violent torture, and tiny wars (most notably used by the Spanish when conquering their chunks of the New World), but also by wiping out records and pieces of literary which codified the ancient beliefs wherever and whenever the Spanish could find them. This wasn’t extraordinarily common, but at least one known instance and one major figure tied to this are known to exist beyond any shadow of a doubt: Diego de Landa, who was known to have ordered the destruction of Mayan texts and idols, allegedly following a discovery which was tied to cases of human sacrifice. The Spanish, the Catholics, and the other types of Christians, all sought to undermine Indigenous beliefs and to wipe them out. In doing our part to remember the mythologies and beliefs of those who lived here before the Europeans, and to revive interest in them, we are undermining centuries of oppression inflicted on the Indigenous peoples of Latin America, and weakening the majesty of the Church relative to the minds of those who live in Latin America and adore the Church (not that this is everyone in Latin America, including Catholics, because believe me it isn’t).

The beliefs of the Indigenous peoples of Latin America were and are incredible. From the story of Hunahpu and Xbalanque, to the myths of Wei and his children, to the battle in which Coatlicue lost her life, Indigenous American mythology is truly incredible. It’s every bit as remarkable as the creation story and myths within the Bible. And that’s where the danger starts to appear to Christianity. Once people throughout the world start to hear of other virgin birthed deities who overcame death (like Hunahpu and Xbalanque from Mayan mythology) Christianity starts to get easier to question. Skepticism starts to creep in when people hear of deities who claim to be the sole path towards truth and eternity, and then hears of other gods with similar backgrounds but different stories. And of altogether unique deities.

In reminding ourselves of the vast array of gods who were and are believed to walk throughout Latin America we begin to undo the vast harm done to the oral history of Latin America, by the Spaniards who willingly and happily destroyed centuries of records with each 5 or so codices they burned. We also begin to remember the history of the land we walk on. And we begin to see Indigenous Americans as more than just 1 “super-civilization” but instead as a variety of distinct and unique cultures each deserving of study and respect. We can honor those who came before us by learning about them and what they thought of the world they lived in, and mythology is an important aspect of this. In remembering the mythologies constructed by the Indigenous people of Latin America we can potentially see history being rewritten by our own hands, and being expanded upon. We can also envision a world where fantasy media is more than Zeus, Lucifer, Odin, and a 9-tailed fox or two. We can see a world where fantasy video games include tributes to the remarkable deities who roam forgotten and magical spaces in the Amazon, and swim deep beneath Latin American streams and rivers. We can create this world ourselves by taking it upon ourselves to not forget the monsters who stalked primeval jungles and forests throughout South and Central America. In learning about Axomama and teaching what she supposedly did, as lessons about the human imagination to our children we strengthen the ability of our children to resist superstitions. We teach them to detect extraordinary claims which demand equally extraordinary evidence.

We cannot afford to forget the beliefs of those who came before us. Even if those beliefs aren’t Christianity. Even if those beliefs have no formal name, or are not recognized as an international religion.

I like talking about mythology because mythology, especially Latin American mythology is incredible. And in teaching my fellow skeptics and even a believer or two about mythology I get to help them learn about history. I get them to care just a bit more about Latin America. And I get to work to expand how even we ourselves view Latin America’s remarkable history, both factually, and the “mythical” history of our part of the world. The human imagination is pretty amazing isn’t it?

What do you think?