Where Do We Come From Exploring creation myths

Where Do We Come From? Exploring creation myths

Creation Myths • A creation myth explains the origin of the world and/or human life • Some scientists say that the world began with “the Big Bang”. Is this a creation myth? – No! Remember, a myth is a story and includes supernatural beings or powers. Even though the Big Bang theory explains the origin of the world, it is not a story and does not have supernatural influences.

5 Types of Creation Myth • • • Creation ex nihilo Earth diver Emergence Dismemberment Cosmic egg

Creation ex nihilo • Ex nihilo: Latin for “out of nothing” Features • At the beginning, there is nothing • A creator makes everything from his own ideas

Earth Diver Features • The world starts as water • The supreme being (like a god) sends animals into the water to collect dirt or mud • Land is made from the mud they collect

Emergence • To emerge: to come out of something and into view Features • A hero begins in a world like a mother’s womb, but is too small • The hero moves through other worlds until she arrives in her present state and location

Dismemberment • Dismemberment: the removal of limbs, ripping a living thing apart Features • The world begins with an early being • This being is sacrificed to make the world – Different parts of its body become parts of the world

Cosmic Egg • Cosmic: relating to the universe • Chaos: disorder and confusion Features • The universe or a life form hatches from an egg • The two halves of the egg become the earth and the sky • Often the world begins with chaos