Creation myths: A deeper truth for today’s religionists

Abstract

Creation myths are a common factor in human societies. While esteemed in ancient societies, today they are regarded as performing the function in the past that is today better performed by modern science. In this comparison, unprovable activities of a god or gods are usually ranked beneath scientific, naturalistic investigation. This present analysis of creation myths attempts to demonstrate that ancient creation myths were not simplistic creations of the archaic mind: they were stories attempting to answer fundamental questions about the cosmos and human life. At the same time, they acted as media allowing humans to cope with these mysteries of the world and the parts played by humans in it. They did not solve those mysteries; they allowed humans to cope with them. It may well be that, for modern usage, the creation myths need to be adapted and reformulated so that they can regain their original function. This could well require the use of poetry, arts, dancing, music as well as writing. We have inherited the shell of the creation myths; they require to be re-enervated.