Interpreting Creation Stories From The Bible, Greek Myths

This course will be interesting due to how we will approach each myth such as Genesis 1-5. We are able to view the texts as non- religious and view the stories as a historical reference to some time period. It gives a different perspective on how the myths were written and the lesson or story behind the text without any type of restrictions (religious, government, censorship, etc.) such as was Moses the only author of the Torah. Without a religious restriction, more the stories could be examined just in terms of facts and see if it was written by one person or developed over time by being told from person to person such as the bible or Hesiod’s poetry. Also, without religious restriction there are no set rules of what to believe so the stories’

People often ask, “How did the world begin?”. Some argue the Big Bang Theory, others argue God created Earth Himself. Most Native Americans, however, generally believed their world stemmed from multiple gods, animals, or a phenomenon of nature. Each creation myth was tailored to each individual tribe’s culture, customs, and beliefs. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to compare and analyze the creation stories of two prominent Native American tribes present in Texas: the Comanche and the Apache; warrior tribes that rode fiercely on horseback, and both competed to dominate the Great Plains. These two tribes were fairly similar in their military prowess, but both had a different language, culture, and a remarkably different creation story. From their creation story, one may begin to understand the culture of these two notable tribes.

For thousands of years, scientists have tried to interpret the concept of creation. However, before people had access to modern scientific equipment, they told creations stories. A creation story is a myth that explains how and why the earth was made. A few cultures with differing opinions on creation are Europeans, Cherokee Indians, West Africans, and Hawaiians. Europeans tell the story of Genesis and God creating the earth in seven days and Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Cherokee Indians believe that the earth was created by a water beetle. In West African culture, they teach the Golden Chain story, and Hawaiians have the Kumulipo story to explain their beliefs on creation. Although each story follows a basic guideline, they all have distinct disparities.

Some Native American creation stories can be contrasted with the book of Genesis from the Bible. For example, the land is made differently in each story. In the Native American stories “How the World Was Made” and “The Sky Tree”, land was made by “animals bringing up soil from the water,” while God “made the heavens and the earth” in the

By studying the various creation stories of different religions, we can learn about what members of each religion believe. For instance, Christians believe that God created the world in 7 days and all humans are descendants of Adam and Eve. All of these creation stories are out of the ordinary and are extremely different from what happens in the world today. The creation stories are very limited in their explanations, and fail to explain the creation of anything aside from the earth. They do not explain the stars, planets, and galaxies we are knowledgeable about today. As human’s knowledge of the world increases, it becomes more and more difficult to believe in the creation stories and the ideas associated with various religions. Creation

These myths shape the way people live their lives. The main purpose of creation myths in a culture is to explain rituals, customs in beliefs. There are things that we may not be able to understand or explain. Creation myths explains how humans were created, why we are imperfect, why we die, why there is suffering and where we go when we die ("Creation Myth Gantjes", 2004). If you take the time and look at how religions are linked to the history of creation myths, you’ll see how it shapes the way we view cultures. The Old Testament creation stated that Eve and Adam disobeyed Gods command. The result from Adam being disobedient, he would have to work hard and suffer to survive. Eve had to endure the pain of carrying a child and serve her husband. In Christianity today, this is the result of men and women. We as women endure pain when carrying a child. Men have to work very hard to make a

Native Americans believe that nature, animals, and a higher power work together in a synergetic relationship to foster the lives of human beings by providing resources, protection, and a guiding force by which to live. In the creation myths, “The Navajo Origin Legend,” “When Grizzlies Walked Upright,” “The Earth on Turtle’s Back,” and “The Iroquois Constitution,” these beliefs are shown through a variety of similar ways. Most of these include the use of animism, symbolism, and creation. However, while these stories have many correlative attributes, they also differ through their attitudes along with how they use these symbols and what Gods they may or may not have believed in.

It is very interesting to read all of the myths about creation and be able to pick them apart to their core to see the deeper meaning behind them. Genesis, a book in the bible I am sure many are familiar with, was especially enjoyable to pick apart, as well as The Creation, Death, and rebirth of the Universe, although interesting, I

Throughout history, different Native American tribes, such as the Apache, Iroquois, and Navajo people, have produced a variety of accounts of creation that perpetuated their own long-held beliefs. Native Americans have used tales to explain life's mysteries, improve their way of life, and uphold their own cultural identity. The diverse cultures have manipulated these creation stories to be told to fit customs and traditions, which revealed their beliefs about the creation of the world, the presence of the first people, the role of humans in the universe, and the accomplishments of gods and heroes. " They were strands woven together in the various tales and stories that defined peoples' identity and gave order and meaning to their lives. The most serious of these were myths about how the gods created and ordered the universe and about the origins of important things

Have you ever taken the time to think about the past, way back to mythology? In the three Native American stories, The Origin of the Buffalo, The First False Face, and The Corn, there are many similarities and many differences.

These two myths have many similarities but the most important one is the heavy reliance on the small creatures in their society. Both in the Iroquois and the Cherokee myths there is a little creature that helps out tremendously by diving to the bottom of the ocean. In the Iroquois myth it is the muskrat who, “dived and disappeared...After a long time, his little body floated to the surface of the ocean, a tiny piece of earth clutched in his paw” (Iroquois myth). In the Cherokee myth a “Water beetle dove below the water and eventually came back with some mud from below” (Cherokee myth). Additionally, in the Iroquois story there are two sons/brothers and they have profound impact on the world around them, “These two brothers, as they grew up, represented the two ways of the world which are in all people… the right and left” (iroquois myth).

Creation in Ancient Egyptian religion can be much different than the creation account taken from The Bible. Genesis has a set description of “The Beginning” while there are several different versions and variations in Egyptian mythology. The versions range from a “one god” myth (Ptah; see picture) to the more common creator out of Nun, which in itself has several derivations.

Beginning with the first chapter in the Book of Genesis, 1:1-31 through to 2:1-3, which is the most recognized Hebrew and Christian version of the Creation story. On the first day God creates heaven, Earth, day and night. Then on the second day the skies and oceans are formed. Next on the third day is the creation of dry land, vegetation and fruit trees. This is followed on the fourth day with the formation of the sun, moon and stars. On the fifth day all creatures that swim along with all creatures that fly are created. Finally, on the sixth day God creates all of the other remaining creatures and animals that will live on the earth as well as man and woman. Afterwards, with all of his work completed God takes a rest on the seventh day.

The motifs found in the creation myths are undoubtedly different from those found in any other type of myth. Contrary to popular belief, the purpose of the creation myths is much greater than a primitive attempt to explain the mysteries of creation. Behind each creation myth is a vast variety of symbolism along with a number of motives which are often shared between cultures, despite vast geographical differences. My intention here is not only to discuss the purpose of the creation myths, but also to compare and contrast common themes which can be found in three selected works. These being, an Eskimo creation myth, the Ongwe creation myth and the Navajo creation myth.

A creation story is a supernatural story or explanation that describes the beginnings of humanity, earth, life, and the universe. Religion plays a significant role in the establishment of Creation for both the Native Americans and the Puritans. “The people known collectively as the Iroquois were made up of the Mohawk, Seneca, Oneida, Onondaga, and Cayuga nations.” (Cusick 21) “The Iroquois creation myth exists in some twenty-five versions.” (Cusick 22). However, there was no concrete indication from a Native American that coincides with the Iroquois’s belief as of how and when the creation of the world began until David Cusick, transcribed and translated an Iroquois cosmogonic myth in the nineteenth century. David Cusick became the first Native American to record on Atotarho. Grounded in nature the Iroquois religion portrays the natural foundations of the world and continue to believe that all things/people should live in harmony. The Iroquois believes that The Great Spirit would indirectly guide the lives of ordinary people and opposed that The Great Spirit and other forces of good were Evil Spirit and other lesser spirits responsible for disease and other misfortune. Corn, beans, and squash were referred to as the three sisters and thought of as deities or spiritual beings. The Iroquois believed that ordinary humans could not communicate directly with Great Spirit but could do so indirectly by burning tobacco, which carried their prayers to the lesser spirits