This book was inspired by another Wiley Blackwell book, 50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology by Scott Lilienfeld et al., in which “myth” means a widespread belief that is not well supported by evidence. Some of the myths are like that, such as the beliefs that Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, and that Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem on December 25. But the people also count as myths common beliefs that are questionable for other reasons, such as that they conflict with the teachings of the religions of the believers. When scholars of religion talk about “myths,” they generally mean traditional stories that explain important aspects of life, such as where the people came from, why they are here, who their heroes are and what makes them special, and how the people should live.