Creation Myths Science for Public Understanding How do we use Religion? Creation Myths Science for Public Understanding

Religion Why do civilizations have religion???

BENCHMARK LESSON Turn Open to your Benchmark Page As we go through the Myths begin thinking about the tasks you have to complete for this activity.

Boshongo Creation Myth From central Africa In the beginning there was only darkness, water, and the great god Bumba. One day Bumba, in pain from a stomach-ache, vomited up the sun. The sun dried up some of the water, leaving land. Still in pain, Bumba vomited up the moon, the stars, and then some animals: the leopard, the crocodile, the turtle, and, finally, some men, one of whom, Yoko Lima was white like Bumba.

Egyptian Creation Myth In the beginning there was only the swirling watery chaos, called Nu. Out of these chaotic waters rose Atum, the sun god of the city of Heliopolis. Atum created himself, using his thoughts and will. In the watery chaos, Atum found no place on which to stand. In the place where he first appeared, he created a hill. His next act was to create more gods.

Because he was all alone in the world, without a mate, Atum, the great He-She made a union with his shadow. Atum gave birth to his son by spitting him out. His daughter he vomited. Shu represented the air and Tefnut was a goddess of moisture. Shu and Tefnut continued the act of creation by establishing a social order. To this order Shu contributed the 'principles of Life' while Tefnut contributed the 'principles of order'.

Tahitian Creation Myth He was. Taaroa was his name. He stood in the void: no earth, no sky, no men. Taaroa calls the four corners of the universe; nothing replies. Alone existing, he changes himself into the universe. Taaroa is the light, he is the seed, he is the base, he is the incorruptible. The universe is only the shell of Taaroa. It is he who puts it in motion and brings forth its harmony.

Inuit Creation Myth It is said that Raven made the world. He is a man with a raven's beak. When the waters forced the ground up from the deep Raven stabbed it with his beak and fixed it into place. This first land was just big enough for the house that was on it. There were three people in the house. This was a family with a man, his wife and their little son Raven who had fixed the land.

The father had a bladder hanging over his bed The father had a bladder hanging over his bed. After much pleading by Raven the father allowed the boy to play with it. While playing Raven damaged the bladder and light appeared. The father not wanting to have light always shining took the bladder from the boy before he could damage it further. And that is how day and night started over the land.

Why use Religion? In the absence of modern science, religion helped ancient people to explain the unexplainable things in life and in the world.