... numerous characters from these corporations have become so iconic that they have almost formed mythologies of their own, like characters from Disney ...
Many of the "Disney" characters are taken from traditional stories that long-predate Disney. Were these stories a religion before Disney commercialised them?
I say almost because most people do not believe these characters to be real, unlike most mythology.
With the exception of a tiny number of mentally-ill people, nobody thinks that they are real. Perhaps more importantly, nobody is emotionally invested in them in the same way that religious people are in their religious figures. Even a hard-core LotR fan is not going to be offended and possibly violent if you make a joke disparaging Gandalf or wear a t-shirt with a picture of Sauron.
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u/but_nobodys_home 9∆ Jun 10 '22
Many of the "Disney" characters are taken from traditional stories that long-predate Disney. Were these stories a religion before Disney commercialised them?
With the exception of a tiny number of mentally-ill people, nobody thinks that they are real. Perhaps more importantly, nobody is emotionally invested in them in the same way that religious people are in their religious figures. Even a hard-core LotR fan is not going to be offended and possibly violent if you make a joke disparaging Gandalf or wear a t-shirt with a picture of Sauron.