Out of the Tar Pits
Many faiths have similar stories of the beginning of life on earth. Pick one religion you're familiar with, and jot down their story of the earth's origin.
Is it pleasant story?
Is there a meaningful role for humans while existing on earth?
What form did a Supreme Being take in the early days? Where did he/she/it reside?
Do you consider the story possibly true?
How long were the stories passed verbally before written?
Did the original group mix with other religions during this time?
What scientific theories most closely merge with those of that religion:
Adjacent chemicals combined to make life forms
Explosion or spark started chemical reaction toward life forms
Every advanced life form developed from a simpler life form
The universe is still expanding
There's life on other planets
Planets have life spans
Other
Jot down ideas for your own explanation of life on earth, no matter how nutty.
Does your own belief system have a story about the beginning of the world? In your opinion, what is the gist of the story?
The war between good and evil, where evil wins and takes hold on the earth
It's a story about actual people, with no symbolism
Statement of man as the highest creature on earth
Typical disobedience of a Higher Power's instructions
The beginning of disputes between man and woman
The history of food and clothing
A statement about gender weaknesses
Realization of carnal appetites
People's refusal to take authority over evil
Deity realizing that we can't be trusted
People realizing deity can't be trusted
Inevitable separation of the heavenlies and the worldly
Deities wanting to hold back certain knowledge from humans
Gods arising from the earth
People not exercising their assigned management over nature
People exercising their potential authority over outside powers
Our curiosity causing us trouble
Man taking over the work of lazy gods
How the deities relate to each other
How easily we give up our values for appealing acquisitions
Consequences to fear of standing up against intimidation
The formation of Earth by a Higher Power or energy force
Formation of the planet by an animal or deceased being
Human ignorance of what's going on
Man as a reflection of deity
Humans consisting of water and minerals of the ground
Words of Higher Power create form and life
Consequences to fear of standing up against intimidation
No clue
Other
