Theists Only: Genesis Creation Story, Fact or Myth?

[Rainbow Mage]

Well, which do you think?

 

[sandandfoam]

Genisis is a myth that carries truth to me.

 

[ChristineES]

I believe the story of creation is symbolic, as was most of Genesis (at least the creation stories and maybe even the flood). These were stories that were (according to some scholars) passed by word of mouth generation to generation until they were finally written down. They may have even been songs that were passed down according to one show I watched. In that way, they contain truths but are not literal stories.

 

[Storm]

Myth, definitely. (Said with all due reverence.)

 

[Just_me_Mike]

Oh what the hell, I think it is mostly literal...

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I was taught it was literal in church and Sunday school.

 

[sandandfoam]

I was taught it was literal in church and Sunday school.

We all reap the benefit of that

 

[StevieHummingbird]

Fact but hidden b/w the lines.

 

[Mister Emu]

Both

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Both

Good answer

 

[enchanted_one1975]

To me, the entire Abrahamic Bible is myth. However, I don't feel that the word "myth" defines the level of accuracy. Many of my sacred writings are referred to as "Egyptian Mythology." I believe that these are real tales from long ago, despite the word "myth" associated with them. I wonder if, some day, the Abrahamic writings will be referred to as "Christian Mythology" or "Abrahamic Mythology."

 

[Riverwolf]

Like virtually all creation stories, myth that carries truth.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

We all reap the benefit of that

Lucky.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

To me, the entire Abrahamic Bible is myth. However, I don't feel that the word "myth" defines the level of accuracy. Many of my sacred writings are referred to as "Egyptian Mythology." I believe that these are real tales from long ago, despite the word "myth" associated with them. I wonder if, some day, the Abrahamic writings will be referred to as "Christian Mythology" or "Abrahamic Mythology."

Enchanted One so you think Set literally ate the semen of Horus on a piece of lettuce? :areyoucra

 

[Rainbow Mage]

I think Genesis is a myth, not just the creation story, but most of the book. There's a lot of myth in the OT mixed in with the history of the ancient Israelites. The Garden of Eden myth could have a deeper spiritual meaning, but I don't think it's literal. I certainly don't think snakes talk.

 

[fallingblood]

It is myth. The first 12 chapters of Genesis are intended to by myth, and most scholars recognize that much. Even mainline seminary teaches that (especially Lutheran seminary, and now Catholic seminary). Most credibly college courses on the subject will teach the same as well.

The funny thing is, there are two creation stories in Genesis. The reason is that Genesis, and the "books of Moses" are based from four sources that were interweaved together. The Hebrew shows this a little better, but is still evident in the two creation stories and two flood stories. Just the fact that the two creation stories can't even agree suggest that neither one can actually be fully true.

Not to mention that evolution is a fact, and we know that the Earth is much older than what the creation story would suggest.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

The funny thing is, there are two creation stories in Genesis.

:Yes: And I wonder why one of them says God made male and female together, but another says God made female from male? One seems to put forth that God is both male and female (Monism) and made both male and female in "it's" image. The other puts forth the position that has come to be accepted, that male and female are not equals.

 

[painted wolf]

myth... it's a particular cultures attempt to place themselves in the world and teach key cultural values to the next generation.

wa:do

 

[ChristineES]

:Yes: And I wonder why one of them says God made male and female together, but another says God made female from male? One seems to put forth that God is both male and female (Monism) and made both male and female in "it's" image. The other puts forth the position that has come to be accepted, that male and female are not equals.

I was watching a NOVA special (Secrets of the Bible) on DVD that had scholars who said that the reason for all these variations is because there is more than one creation story used. I like listening to these kinds of scholars and such.

 

[fallingblood]

I was watching a NOVA special (Secrets of the Bible) on DVD that had scholars who said that the reason for all these variations is because there is more than one creation story used. I like listening to these kinds of scholars and such.

I have that Nova Special. I thought it was quite informative and a very enjoyable viewing.