Creation myths

{{religion}}
{{hatnote|Not to be confused with the related concept of [[Global_flood#Real_and_unreal_"great floods"|flood myths]].}}
{{cquote|All the creation myths of all peoples have long been known to be false, and have fairly recently been replaced by [[Science|infinitely superior and more magnificent explanations]]. To its list of apologies, [[religion]] should simply add an apology for foisting man-made parchments and folk myths upon the unsuspecting, and for taking so long to concede that this had been done. One senses a reluctance to make this admission, since it might tend to explode the whole religious worldview, but the longer it is delayed the more heinous the [[denial]] will become.|||[[Christopher Hitchens]], ''[[God_Is_Not_Great|God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything]]''<ref>Page 205-206.</ref>}}
'''Creation myths''' are [[myth]]s about [[Creationism|creation]].

Almost every [[religion]] has one and, for true [[Belief|believers]], only their myth is [[Truth|true]].

[[Christianity]] is particularly well blessed as it has [[Creation Week|two different stories]] in [[Genesis]]. The first one says man and [[woman]] were created on the sixth day of creation. The second story goes into greater detail, describing how after the man was created [[God]] brought all the animals to be named by him, but [[Adam]] didn't like any of them for a [[sex]] partner (not even the [[sheep]]) so God knocked Adam out and made him a clone from his rib (with the gender changed) and Adam liked her much better. The sixth day was so busy God decided to rest on the seventh.

==Christian creation myth==
{{main|Genesis}}
The first part of the Book of Genesis of the Christian [[Bible]], to [[RationalWiki:Annotated Bible/Genesis#Genesis 2:3|2:3]], tells of the creation of the [[Earth]]. The second part, from 2:4b, tells of the creation and [[Original sin|fall]] of man. The two stories have different styles and at times contradict each other. The existence of two stories suggests there were at least two different sources.

Although [[Biblical literalism|biblical inerrantists]] regard Genesis as a [[History|historical]] account of our origin, scholars and Christians as early as the first century have argued it was intended by its [[author]]s to be symbolic. At times the Genesis myth contradicts modern [[Science|scientific]] findings. For example, [[plant]]s are created before the [[sun]].

In the first creation myth, plants and animals were created before humans. In the second creation myth, plants and animals were created ''after'' humans.

==Comparison of Genesis with other cosmogonies==
{{main|Genesis#Origin of Genesis accounts}}
Similarities with [[Sumer]]ian, Akkadian, [[Hindu]], and [[Canaan]]ite creation myths and ancient Near Eastern [[Mythology|mythologies]] indicate that they were sources for Genesis. Elements of the myth of the Sumerian [[goddess]] Nidaba can be found in Genesis.

The Genesis story resembles the Babylonian creation myth ''Enuma Elish'' with the biblical days represented by the activities of various [[Deity|deities]]. Symbols related to the goddess Asherah of Semitic mythology are incorporated into Genesis.

Aspects of traditions from [[Egypt]]ian mythology regarding the origin of the Earth and [[human]]s are similar to those found in Genesis.<ref>Shetter, Tony L. (April 18, 2005). "[http://bible.org/article/genesis-1-2-light-ancient-egyptian-creation-myths Genesis 1-2 In Light Of Ancient Egyptian Creation Myths]." bible.org.</ref>

Other biblical passages, especially in [[Psalms]], appear to have their origins in Canaanite, Babylonian, and Persian mythologies and other ancient eastern Mediterranean creation beliefs.

==Other creation myths==
{{cquote|The dominant one in this culture happens to be the Jewish creation myth, which is taken over from the Babylonian creation myth. There are, of course, lots and lots of others...|||[[Richard Dawkins]]<ref>Dawkins, Richard. "[http://www.positiveatheism.org/writ/dawkins1.htm Is Science a Religion]."</ref>}}
Nearly every [[culture]] has a creation myth. They help to satisfy our need to understand the [[universe]] and our place in it. Themes common to many include a [[birth]], original [[chaos]] or a previous world, a divine edict that when disobeyed brings suffering to mankind, a flood, and the actions of a supreme being. The common thread of all creation myths is that they can neither be [[Proof|proven]] nor disproven.

The creation stories of the [[Norse mythology|Norse]], the [[Greece|Greek]], the many [[Native American]] peoples, the [[China|Chinese]], the [[Japan]]ese, [[Africa]]n, and many other mythologies deserve just as much consideration as the Christian creation myth. As an example of a more modern creation story, see [[Xenu]] or the [[Flying Spaghetti Monster]].

==See also==
*[[Exegesis]]
*[[Creation Week]]
*[[Guide to Genesis]]
*[[Origin of life]]

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20131029213323/http://www.plesiosaur.com/creationism/creationmyths/index.php A fair list of myths.] There's an outline of each linked. (Archived)

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Mythology]]
[[Category:Christian mythology]]

Categories: Mythology, Christian mythology