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Line 25: − + − Versions of creation in ancient, indigenous, Eastern, and relatively obscure religions are often referred to as "creation stories" or "creation myths." (Note: in this usage, the word "myth" does not necessarily imply that the story is untrue, but that it is a traditional or legendary story.<ref>http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/myth</ref>) Here are some examples:<ref>"Creation Myths" http://www.magictails.com/creationlinks.html</ref><ref>"Creation Stories from around the World" http://www.gly.uga.edu/railsback/CS/CSIndex.html</ref>+ + − + − + − + − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Line 194:
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==Creation in Non-Christian Religions==
==Creation in Non-Christian Religions==
Most [[religion]]s of the world have their own versions of creation, some of which are similar to Christian beliefs and some of which are very different. The teachings of [[Judaism]] are based on Genesis, as in Christianity; however, significant Jewish authorities also believe in the [[theory of evolution]], and that this theory is not incompatible with biblical accounts of creation.<ref>"Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design." Rabbinical Council of America. December 27, 2005. http://www.rabbis.org/news/article.cfm?id=100635</ref> [[Muslims]] attribute creation of the universe to [[Allah]]. The [[Qur'an]] does not have one cohesive story of creation, but the sacred book does say that the Earth and the rest of the universe were created over six "days," which may not be the same length of time as a modern day.<ref>"The Origin of Life - an Islamic Perspective. Islam for Today. Accessed March 6, 2011." http://www.islamfortoday.com/emerick16.htm</ref> "Young-Earth creationism is wholly absent in the Muslim world."<ref>Hameed, Salman. "Bracing for Islamic Creationism." December 12, 2008. Science Magazine, Vol. 322 pp. 1637-1638. http://helios.hampshire.edu/~sahCS/Hameed-Science-Creationism.pdf</ref> [[Hindus]] believe that [[Brahma]], one of their three principal gods, created the universe, while [[Vishnu]] is the preserver of the universe.<ref>"Beliefs (Hinduism)." BBC. July 31, 2003. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/beliefs/intro_1.shtml</ref> Hinduism has its own form of evolution, and is generally considered to be compatible with the current "scientific" theory of evolution.<ref>Moorty, J.S.R.L.Narayana. "Science and Spirituality: Any Points of Contact?" 1995. http://www.well.com/user/jct/science.html</ref>
Most [[religion]]s of the world have their own versions of creation, some of which are similar to Christian beliefs and some of which are very different. The following discussions are presented in [[chronological]] order from older religions to more recent religions such as [[Islam]].
==Creation in Judaism==
The teachings of [[Judaism]] are based on Genesis, as in Christianity; however, significant [[liberal]] Jewish authorities also believe in the [[theory of evolution]], and that this theory is not incompatible with biblical accounts of creation.<ref>"Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design." Rabbinical Council of America. December 27, 2005. http://www.rabbis.org/news/article.cfm?id=100635</ref>
*[[Babylonians]] believed that the heavens, Earth, and non-human life were created by Marduk, the four-eared, four-eyed giant who became ruler of the gods after defeating an army of [[dragon]]s and [[monster]]s. These things were created from the body of Tiamat, who was a descendent of the water gods like Marduk, and who ruled the defeated army of dragons and monsters. Human life was created by Ea, god of the rivers, and Nintu, the birth-goddess, out of [[clay]] from the Earth and [[blood]] and spittle from other gods.
==Creation in Hinduism==
*According to [[Hopi]] [[Native Americans]], the Creator, Taiowa, and his "nephew," Sotuknang, created the finite with four separate acts of creaton. 1) Gathering [[matter]] to create nine solid worlds. 2) Gathering [[water]]s to create seas. 3) Gathering [[air]] to make winds and breezes. 4) Creating life, starting with Spider Woman, who created all other life forms.
[[Hindus]] believe that [[Brahma]], one of their three principal [[deity|deities]], created the universe, while [[Vishnu]] is the preserver of the universe.<ref>"Beliefs (Hinduism)." BBC. July 31, 2003. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/beliefs/intro_1.shtml</ref> Hinduism has its own form of evolution, and is generally considered to be compatible with the current "scientific" theory of evolution.<ref>Moorty, J.S.R.L.Narayana. "Science and Spirituality: Any Points of Contact?" 1995. http://www.well.com/user/jct/science.html</ref>
*Native [[Hawaii]]ans believe that life forms of the sea, air, and land were created from the unions of various entites of darkness and half-darkness. Humanity came about through the union of La'ila'i (the first woman), Ki'i (the first man), and Kane (a god).
*The [[Mayans]] believed that everything was created by Tepu and Gucamatz. Whatever they thought about came into being. Advanced beings were created so that the creators could be [[praise]]d. Advanced beings were first made of clay, then wood, but these did not work so they were wiped out in a [[flood]]. New beings were formed with the help of Mountain Lion, [[Coyote]], [[Parrot]], and Crow.
==Source of the Universe in Buddhism==
The Buddhist [[concept]]ion of the "[[source]]", [[substratum]], "[[womb]]" or "[[matrix]]" of the universe is referred to by the [[Sanskrit]] term "Garbha" as seen in one of the three Sanskrit words for the "[[ultimate]]": 1. "Dharmakaya", 2. "Tathagata Garbha" and 3. "Dharma Dhatu". These three words are all represented by the word "[[Dharma#2._Dharmakaya_-_Tathagata_Garbha_-_Dharma_Dhatu_as_Source_of_the_Universe|Dharma]]". These are the [[ultimate]] [[reality]] that one realizes at [[enlightenment]]. These three Sanskrit words (especially "Dharmakaya") is the closest concept that [[Mahayana]] Buddhism has that fairly closely resembles the [[Judaism|Judeo]]-[[Christian]] "[[creator]] [[God]]" although it is not accepted by [[Theravada]] Buddhists and is not well known among most common Buddhists who are neither serious scholars nor practitioners of the religion. This is why both many non-Buddhists and [[liberal]] beginner "Buddhists in name only" (see [[RINO]]) especially in America, misunderstand Buddhism thinking it denies the existence of God or a primary [[causation|causative]] being of the [[universe]]. Those who suggest this misconception have not studied Buddhist esoteric [[Sutra]] teachings on these three terms "Dharmakaya" - "Tathagata Garbha" - "Dharma Dhatu". These terms imply [[timeless]], [[eternal]]ity, [[omniscience]], [[omnipotence]], [[omnipresence]], [[inscrutable|inscrutability]] and [[immutability]].
==Creation in Islam==
[[Muslims]] attribute creation of the universe to [[Allah]]. The [[Qur'an]] does not have one cohesive story of creation, but it does say that the Earth and the rest of the universe were created over six "days," which may not be the same length of time as a modern day.<ref>"The Origin of Life - an Islamic Perspective. Islam for Today. Accessed March 6, 2011." http://www.islamfortoday.com/emerick16.htm</ref> "Young-Earth creationism is wholly absent in the Muslim world."<ref>Hameed, Salman. "Bracing for Islamic Creationism." December 12, 2008. Science Magazine, Vol. 322 pp. 1637-1638. http://helios.hampshire.edu/~sahCS/Hameed-Science-Creationism.pdf</ref>
==Creation in Less Common Religions==
Versions of creation in ancient, indigenous, Eastern [[shamanic]], and relatively obscure religions are often referred to as "creation stories" or "creation myths." (Note: in this usage, the word "myth" does not necessarily imply that the story is untrue, but that it is a traditional or legendary story.<ref>http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/myth</ref>) Here are some examples:<ref>"Creation Myths" http://www.magictails.com/creationlinks.html</ref><ref>"Creation Stories from around the World" http://www.gly.uga.edu/railsback/CS/CSIndex.html</ref>
* [[Babylonians]] believed that the heavens, Earth, and non-human life were created by Marduk, the four-eared, four-eyed giant who became ruler of the gods after defeating an army of [[dragon]]s and [[monster]]s. These things were created from the body of Tiamat, who was a descendent of the water gods like Marduk, and who ruled the defeated army of dragons and monsters. Human life was created by Ea, god of the rivers, and Nintu, the birth-goddess, out of [[clay]] from the Earth and [[blood]] and spittle from other gods.
* According to [[Hopi]] [[Native Americans]], the Creator, Taiowa, and his "nephew," Sotuknang, created the finite with four separate acts of creaton. 1) Gathering [[matter]] to create nine solid worlds. 2) Gathering [[water]]s to create seas. 3) Gathering [[air]] to make winds and breezes. 4) Creating life, starting with Spider Woman, who created all other life forms.
* Native [[Hawaii]]ans believe that life forms of the sea, air, and land were created from the unions of various entites of darkness and half-darkness. Humanity came about through the union of La'ila'i (the first woman), Ki'i (the first man), and Kane (a god).
* The [[Mayans]] believed that everything was created by Tepu and Gucamatz. Whatever they thought about came into being. Advanced beings were created so that the creators could be [[praise]]d. Advanced beings were first made of clay, then wood, but these did not work so they were wiped out in a [[flood]]. New beings were formed with the help of Mountain Lion, [[Coyote]], [[Parrot]], and Crow.
There are many other creation stories that are much longer and more complex.
There are many other creation stories that are much longer and more complex.
*[[Atheist Creationism]]
*[[Atheist Creationism]]
*[[Creation vs evolution essays]]
*[[Creation vs evolution essays]]
*[[Dharma#2._Dharmakaya_-_Tathagata_Garbha_-_Dharma_Dhatu_as_Source_of_the_Universe|Buddhist Creator Source of the Universe]] in [[Esoteric]] [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhism]]
==External Links==
==External Links==