Paper
GonzalezProfessor English11 June 1999Creation Stories; Facts, or Myths? The different peoples of the world have their own stories about the existence of human beings and the world. Creation stories are not hard to find. Explanations of creation range from the strictly scientific “Big Bang” theory to the religious stories of creation from the book of Genesis. Furthermore, the symbolic and metaphorical “Iroquois Creation Story” and “The Pima Stories of the Beginning of the World” just complicate the matter further. All these stories differ greatly from one another and apparently they are not all, if any, correct. Is one of these creation stories true or are they all simply myths?Perhaps you are familiar with the biblical accounts in Genesis 1-2 in which God creates the world. There are, in fact, two individually distinct creation accounts in Genesis which differ in their presentations. The first creation story has a pattern number of seven. This is important because in the story God created the world in seven days. Is it merely coincidence that there are seven signs and seven sacraments in the Catholic religion based on this creation story? This shows that not only do people believe the stories of how their world came to be, but they also use them as a source of meaning or guidance. In this creation story God created objects and life by simply saying what he wanted to create. For example, God stated “let there be light”, and there was light. The second creation story found in Genesis is much like the “Iroquois Creation Story” because both talk of a divine being making man out of clay or dust and blowing into the nostrils the “breath of life” so that man could become a living being. Although the second story of creation from Genesis and the Iroquois have a similarity, they are very different. In the second creation story in Genesis God created Adam and placed him in the Garden of Eden where he could eat fruits from any tree except the apple tree known as the “tree of knowledge of good and bad”. Adam eventually ate the apple dooming all mankind with original sin. In the Iroquois creation, the curiosity of a woman sets in motion a set of events, which leads to her grandchildren, Good-Mind and Bad-Mind. They create a world, which contains both harmony and competition. This creation story is dualistic since it tells us that in the world, and in ourselves, we find two competing principles, good-minded and bad-minded, and suggests the importance of the good mind overcoming the bad. However, the story also suggests that the world is in existence through the interaction of good and bad. For what is good if there is no bad?
In the Pima story, the earth doctor, Juh-wert-a-Mah-kai. Recreates the world several times. He is never happy with the outcome and something always goes wrong. The pattern number is four in the Pima story. There are four directions, four seasons, etc. He recreates the world because of cannibalism, the problem of smoking, and the idea that people became “gray” at younger and younger ages. I assume the “vices” or problems with the world are related to the Pimas’ daily lives and concerns in some way.These three creation stories have one similarity. The one similarity is the viewpoint that there is an ultimate being and source, existing before everything else, from which all creation receives the gift of life.Most cultures have a “creation” story, some explanation of how the world came to be and how man came to be. These creation stories provide some understanding and insight into how these peoples viewed the world, it’s beginnings, and their place in it. “Myth” is a term that has several meanings. Sometimes “myth” is used to simply mean something that is not “true”. It is sometimes used in a different way. A “myth” being a legendary narrative explaining a belief or phenomenon of nature. Therefore, whether or not these creation stories are true in scientific accounts of creation, they are certainly myths. In conclusion, I believe that every culture believes in the “truth” of their creation story. They believe that it really happened. Their belief in its truth gives it great force in their lives. Each of us makes his or her own world within, and sometimes against, “the beliefs” that our ancestors have passed us. These beliefs help us in shaping our human experiences and reassuring ourselves that they have meaning. These beliefs are so influential that most of the time we take them for granted.
“The Iroquois Creation Story” The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Baym, et al. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1989. 53-57.”Pima Stories of the Beginning of the World” The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Baym, et al. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1989. 57-67.
Другие работы по теме:
Mythology Essay Research Paper
People of the ancient world needed something to believe in, a deity or an idea. The reason for mythology is not known for sure, but it is thought to be a kind of religion and an answer to how something in nature came into existence. This would be ideas like; man, animals, flowers or trees, the sun, the moon, the stars, earthquakes, etc.
Untitled Essay Research Paper The Riddle of
Untitled Essay, Research Paper The Riddle of the SphinxThe study of myths probably began in the 4th century. BC. when Euthemerus explained them as exaggerated adventures of historical individuals. The allegorical
Bearing Witness
’ Essay, Research Paper Bearing Witnesses, Stories of the Holocaust, selected by Hazel Rochman and Darlene Z. McCampbell is a wonderful book that illustrates the horror of the Holocaust. I believe that this book helped me to better understand what really happened during the tragic event.
Myths Meaning Essay Research Paper Kuka Teran111899Mr
Myths Meaning Essay, Research Paper Kuka Teran 11/18/99 Mr. Coughlin Myths Meaning “A myth is a story that is not true on the outside, but true on the inside.” In the story of the creation of all living things as well as the sky, sun, moon and stars there is a meaning that most people, when reading the bible, seem to just read over and not stop and take time to understand this somewhat subliminal message within Genesis.
Assignment Mythology Research Project Essay Research
Paper Assignment: Mythology Research Project English E3-19 September 27, 1996 In The Yoruba and Madagascar myths of creation, the beginning of the world was a formless Chaos which was neither sea nor land. Orisha Nla, also
Genius Essay Research Paper GenesisGenesis is the
Genius Essay, Research Paper Genesis Genesis is the start of a new beginning. In the King James Translation, the book of Genesis explains how everything came to be. Lord God creates meaningful things to establish the Earth. Amongst his creation he creates man and woman.
Genesis Essay Research Paper In reading the
Genesis Essay, Research Paper In reading the book Genesis, it is hard to discern what to believe. Since there are two stories of creation, I do not know which one is correct or if either is
Journalism Today Essay Research Paper Summary Leads
Journalism Today Essay, Research Paper Summary Leads ( Why are they are effective) The summary lead is the most widely used lead. It provides a brief summary of the facts in the article in the first sentence. Summary leads work best in inverted pyramid stories. I think that summary leads are effective because if the reader has an interest in the subject after reading the short summary at the beginning, then they will read the whole article.
Myth Comparison Essay Research Paper Compare Contrast
Myth Comparison Essay, Research Paper Compare/ Contrast essayDecember 6, 1998Final Draft Comparison Essay Myths are one of the ways people attempt to explain the unexplainable. With the development modern technology the myth has been much less used. According to Webster’s college dictionary myth is defined as “A traditional or legendary story, especially one that involves gods and heroes and explains a cultural practice or natural phenomenon.” To me myths are a wonderful thing; they represent creativity and are a very good way to explain things to kids.
Indian Creation Myth Essay Research Paper There
Indian Creation Myth Essay, Research Paper There are many interpretations of the Indian creation myth. They are all representations of the main principle of Brahman, which is described as being “everywhere and nowhere, everything and nothing.” (A Dictionary of Creation Myths, p.139, David Leeming and Margaret Leeming) Creation came from Brahman’s thought, or the actions of the god Brahma, who is the representation of Brahman as a man.
Mythology Essay Research Paper MythologyEvery race of
Mythology Essay, Research Paper Mythology Every race of humans and most cultures believed in a myth or type of myth at one time. Sometimes a myth can be something small like a teacher who?s said to be an alien. Yet some are quite big and still believed in today like the loch ness monster. Myths have been around since the beginning of time and will be there to the end.
The Creation Of Human Beings Essay Research
Paper The creation of human beings has numerous myths and stories that were initially wrote in history. These are stories that tell how the first race of mankind came into being and the different things that the Gods had to encounter during their Creations. When we think of creation, we think of how things were in the beginning of time and how they were suppose to be, based on these stories and myths that are noted.
Role Of Astronomy In Modern Paganism Essay
, Research Paper Myths Concerning the Creation of Constellations and the Universe ?Long, long ago, the world slept in the arms of a dark void. From this place of nothingness, Spirit drew together and created our Lady of infinite
Comparison Essay Essay Research Paper Comparison EssayThere
Comparison Essay Essay, Research Paper Comparison Essay There are many different ways to explain the beginning and creation. Genesis and Edith Hamilton?s ?Mythology,? are two of many literary works you can find. Both show how characters were created and formed. They give detailed understanding and examples of creation.
Creation Myth Essay Research Paper Cody ClareNov4
Creation Myth Essay, Research Paper Cody Clare Nov,4. 1997 All of the myths that we have read have had many parts which are very similar to other creation myths, no matter their origin or continent that they are from.
Creation In Myths Essay Research Paper Torrefiel
Creation In Myths Essay, Research Paper Torrefiel, Neil Lucero The creation of man and the world is a question that has resonated since the conscience of thought and analysis began. We as human beings have the tendency to seek out the reasons and truths of the phenomena that occur around us, and our desire to achieve answers has not hindered our exploration of human existence.
Indian Creation Myths Essay Research Paper In
Indian Creation Myths Essay, Research Paper In reading three different Indian creation myths, The Emergence, Lodge-Boy and Thrown-Away, and The Woman who Fell from the Sky, we are taught many things not only about creation myths themselves, but about the culture from which they originated. These creation myths contain many of the same universal elements that are found in nearly all creation myths and they demonstrate for us the degree to which the Indians felt we truly are one with nature.
Defintition Of History Essay Research Paper The
Defintition Of History Essay, Research Paper The statement ? History is nothing more than a collection of the static facts of the past; people who say history changes are terribly misguided? is incorrect. History is more than just static facts when ideas and concepts involved in history are understood and applied in life.
Four Myth Theories Essay Research Paper Four
Four Myth Theories Essay, Research Paper Four Theories of Myth There are four basic theories of myth. Those theories are: the rational myth theory, functional myth theory, structural myth theory, and the phsycological myth theory. The rational myth theory states that myths were created to explain natural events and forces.
The Function Of A Myth Essay
, Research Paper The Function of a Myth To understand the function of a myth, it is important to have a common understanding of what the word myth means. A myth is a traditional, often ancient story, dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serves to describe an accepted fundamental view of a people.
Creation Or Evolution Essay Research Paper EVOLUTION
Creation Or Evolution? Essay, Research Paper EVOLUTION OR CREATION? In a coherent world like ours people are questioning their religion and not knowing whether to believe in creation by God or evolution, Through out my research I have found four possible answers to this question to incorporate both theories .
Myths
– Explaining The Unexplained Essay, Research Paper Myths, according to most of today’s society were made up for many different causes. Some of these reasons include entertainment, tradition, legends, and to teach write from wrong. Although that is correct in some cases, myths are primarily used to explain the unexplained.
Myths Essay Research Paper MythsThe various complexes
Myths Essay, Research Paper Myths The various complexes of stories about the gods are called myths. What people first think of when they hear the word “myth” is “false story”, for they no longer believe in most of them. But there is another side, one that should not be overlooked: myths arise from the human belief that reality is intelligible.
Myths And Moundbuilders Essay Research Paper MYTHS
Myths And Moundbuilders Essay, Research Paper MYTHS AND MOUNDBUILDERS The extraordinary mounds found in the Midwest is home to many myths and stories of the Moundbuilders. The Moundbuilders mysteries reside around the Ohio and Illinois flatlands. Though this group of people have been wiped out for thousands of years now, many archeologists are fascinated with way of life.
Creation Essay Research Paper The Creation StoriesDid
Creation Essay, Research Paper The Creation Stories Did the creation of the earth and life begin by itself? Or did God create them? In the beginning, civilization started to question who created earth. There were many different views. In Genesis, Jinasena, and Buddha have their own thinking. There were some differences as well as similarities.
Definition Of Myths Essay Research Paper Definition
Definition Of Myths Essay, Research Paper Definition Essay The origin of the word myth seems to be a myth in itself. Myths have generally originated from a Greek history that used an oral tradition to explain events that occurred before the written word. Often supernatural beings or fictitious characters were used to explain popular ideas concerning phenomena’s of nature or the history of people.
How Our Universe Was Created Essay Research
Paper Friday, November 02, 2000 Expository Writing Professor Adam Penna EG 11 How Our Universe Was Created Creation Stories, myths that explain the origin of the universe, or cosmos. The origin of the cosmos forms one of the principal themes of mythology throughout the world. (Rev. Bruce Vawter)
The History Of Myths Essay Research Paper
Myths are, like, really old and they date back to really old guys. BAck in the “old school” world of myths people made up stories about dudes doing stuff.Myths are, like, really old and they date back to really old guys. BAck in the “old school” world of myths people made up stories about dudes doing stuff.Myths are, like, really old and they date back to really old guys.
Creation Myths Essay Research Paper The motifs
Creation Myths Essay, Research Paper 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.
Various English Essays Essay Research Paper Various
Various English Essays Essay, Research Paper Various English EssaysN. Scott Momaday divides his book The Way to Rainy Mountain in an interesting manner. The book is divided into three chapters, each of which contains a dozen or so numbered sections, each of which is divided into three parts. The first part of each numbered section tends to be a legend or a story of the Kiowa culture.
Is Traditional Religion Incompatible With Modern Society
Essay, Research Paper When traditional religion is pitted against modern society, it is a clash of the titans, a clash between Science and Religion. Everyone has their own interpretation of what religion means to themselves and the people around them. Traditional religion is an organized community of many different types of groups that believe in their own divine being(s), stories about why something is the way that it is, and have some type of religious participation.
A Look At Zen Essay Research Paper
FINAL PAPER LBRL STUDIES 272 MARK FERGUSON The study of Zen, it seems, became a main preoccupation of the Japanese, something never seen elsewhere. Embracing it with gusto, allowing it to mingle with old tales and myths, the Japanese raised Buddhism to a new height.
How To Writing A Research Essay Essay
, Research Paper How To Writing A Research Essay The toughest part of the essay, for me, was taking all the information I had gained and reduce it to a mere few pages essay. After all, quality is better