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Creation Myths

Creation Myths. Stories that Explain Life, the Universe, and everything. Creation Myths. Asking questions, looking for answers Origins of humanity, th Earth, animals, plants, and other elements of nature Cultures invent stories to make sense of the world for their times. Common Themes.

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Creation Myths

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  1. Creation Myths Stories that Explain Life, the Universe, and everything

  2. Creation Myths • Asking questions, looking for answers • Origins of humanity, th Earth, animals, plants, and other elements of nature • Cultures invent stories to make sense of the world for their times

  3. Common Themes • Creation Myths from around the world have some similar themes. • Modern scholars have observed these themes. • Individual myths do not exactly fit with modern stereotypes. • Each creation myth contains several common thematic features. • We will examine interesting similarities and differences.

  4. Common Elements:Creation/Geography • Beginnings • Often a jumbled mass of components which serve as the first elements of life • Formation of the Gods • Male or Female gods give birth to children • Natural • Unusual • Explanations for the formation of mountains, valleys, oceans, rivers, etc.

  5. Common Elements:Genealogy • First gods born did not always create the world. • Often, their children decided to fill the world with life. • Creates a hierarchy.

  6. Common Elements:Supreme Beings • Polytheistic • Monotheistic

  7. Common Elements:Creation of Humanity • Created by a god or supernatural being • Establishes: • links between humanity beings and the supernatural world • continues the hierarchy

  8. Common Elements:Animal/Human Relationships • Animals played key roles in many Creation Myths • Sometimes viewed as equal to humans • often reflect feelings of culture for animals • Account for the existence of the forms of life that inhabit the planet. • Might explain physical characteristics of the animals.

  9. Other Common Elements:Night, Fear, Fire, Instruction, sin, Consequences • Night & Fear • the setting of the sun brought on fear and chaos • Instruction & Fire • Divine tutoring • Fire: Dual Nature • Sin & Consequences • Brings pain, suffering, illness, etc. into the world

  10. Creation Myths • Humankind continues to answer origin questions. • For some, scientific evidence serves as a basis for creation stories • For others, deeply rooted ancient beliefs remain the cornerstone in their own theories

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