Abstract This paper examines the creationmythology evident in the book of Genesis and compares it to one of the oldest Japanese myths about creation from "Genji Shibukawa: Tales from the Kojiki compiled in 712 CE" by O No Yasumaro. The paper draws on the similarities between the two stories of the creation of the universe.
From the Paper "A culture's belief about the beginning of the world is called a creation myth, story or tale. An explanation of the origin of the universe is known as a cosmogony. It is difficult to find any people throughout the world who do not have some explanation for the source of life. One of the most interesting aspects of creation mythology is the similarities that exist among descriptions, whether they are from the Judeo/Christian Bible or from African, Native American, South American, Greek, Japanese or Australian cultures. Common themes are present in both the West and East. From the earliest humans, who painted on the walls of their cave, there has been a need to search for answers and explain the unknown."
Abstract This paper discusses the mythological Goddess, Isis, and her maternal influence on art. The paper looks at how she became an Egyptian icon, idolized in art because she represented the feminine aspects of life: creation, rebirth, ascension, intuition, wifely fidelity, healing, magic, love and compassion. According to the paper, Isis possessed great skill in magic, loyalty to her husband, womanly power and maternal protection, all represented in artifacts.
From the Paper "The Egyptian culture had an amazing ability to preserve their past because their civilization focused on a strong religion-based mythology. This mythological faith was prominently observed in relics of art. The prevailing mythological Goddess Isis was among the most important illuminating and inspiring Goddess displayed in Egyptian art. Her influence in mythological tales caused her to be an Egyptian icon because she represented the feminine aspects of life; creation, rebirth, ascension, intuition, wifely fidelity..."
Abstract The paper explores how mythology of the ancient Greeks expressed their views of themselves and of the world around them on a number of levels. The paper explains that mythology served as a quasi-historical background to each separate city-state and reinforced their sense of pride and of identity. The paper adds that it also expressed the national character and imparted heroic qualities to their perseverance, courage and enterprise. The paper describes how mythology offered opportunities for them to further their love of beauty and their desire for philosophical inquiry.
From the Paper "In exploring the myths of the Greek civilization, one can apprehend the interconnectedness of the Greek character and culture with their stories of the fabulous past. On one level, myths attempt to preserve the history of a people, and tend to reflect historical events, albeit in a rather stylized and fictionalized format. On another level, myths express the views and self-image of a people, by personifying elements of the national character at a heroic level. On yet another level, myths offer a divine explanation for natural, but puzzling, occurrences, as a particular nation chooses to understand them. The early Greeks were composed of small, family-centered tribes living in hamlets. Pirates from land and especially from sea were a constant danger."
Abstract This paper looks at two works by Washington Irving, "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and Edgar Allan Poe's "Fall of the House of Usher" as examples of American mythology. The paper discusses similarities of theme, structure and cultural context of these three stories, comparing them to contemporary urban legends in their moral-giving roles.
From the Paper "The short stories by Washington Irving, "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "The Fall of the House of Usher" written by Edgar Allan Poe are all relatively early American short stories, written by authors with a penchant for darkness in their works. While written in different time periods, by authors with very different backgrounds, these stories' similarities outweigh their differences, as we shall see. All three stories share thematic, structural, historical and cultural similarities that give the reader a particular sense of the mystical in such a way as to call them American mythology. Poe's and Irving's stories are not light-hearted, and are written in serious tones that lead the reader to wonder if they're really true or not."
Abstract This article offers a discussion of the two creation stories in the Genesis book of the Bible. In this paper, the writer compares and contrasts the two versions. The writer discusses their similarity to creation stories of other religions. The writer examines the two varying creation myths and attempts to identify reasons for the different creation stories appearing in the same source.
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to compare and contrast the two creation stories that appear in the book of Genesis. The plan of the research is to set forth the basic components of each of the stories and then discuss ways in which the pattern of ideas contained in each resonates with the other, with a view toward identifying reasons grounded in theology for which two disparate creation myths might be deliberately included in a single scripture source. Anybody who does not have a religious background ... "
Abstract In this article, the writer firstly defines creationism as a system of belief that maintains that humans, the earth, and the universe were created by a supreme being or deity. The writer explains that creationists believe in a god who is absolute creator of heaven and earth, out of nothing, by an act of free will. The writer then examines the history of creationism.
From the Paper "Creationism is generally defined as a belief system which holds that human beings, the earth, and the universe were created by a supreme being or deity, either ex nihilo or from preexisting chaos. Many Creationists consider their beliefs to be compatible with science, explain that certain scriptural accounts of creation should be interpreted as metaphors, or believe that scientific laws and mechanisms were created by supernatural intervention."
Abstract This eleven-page paper uses four creation accounts from different cultures. These are: Australia, Africa, the Algonquin Indian, and Japan. Certain aspects are found to be common to all, and there are some major differences.
Abstract This paper attempts to discuss, in a non-judging manner, creationism and evolutionary thought. The paper reviews the theory and scientific facts of evolution. Then the paper extrapolates on the creationists' theory of Intelligent Design.
From the Paper "As humankind continues to move forward into the future, it also searches the past to reveal what the past can teach it in an effort to understand where life-kind as a whole is going. In some cases people..."
Abstract This paper explains that the discussion of creation science is inherently highly controversial because it seeks the mantle of scientific prestige for what many consider not to be science at all. The author demonstrates that such claims, or such questions, have a millennia-old tradition within the West, extending back at least to the writings on medicine by Hippocrates.
From the Paper "If people, who were interested in teaching the biblical version of God'secretion of Adam and Eve, referred to this story as the biblical version of the creation of Adam and Eve, very few people could object There is most certainly a book referred to as the ..."
Tags: Hippocrates, Creation Science, science, medicine
Abstract This paper begins with a description of the numerous deities and their special purpose of the Ancient Egyptian mythology. It continues to discuss creation myths, funeral practices and beliefs in the afterlife. The paper concludes with an Egyptian worldview.
From the Paper "The history of Ancient Egypt encompasses a span of approximately three millennia and more than thirty dynasties. Within this ancient culture a number of myths, gods and rituals provide us with rich insight into the values, beliefs and practices of Egyptians. A large number of gods are instrumental in revealing the worldview of the Ancient Egyptians including their mythology. Creation, myths, funeral practices and beliefs regarding the afterlife are all either directly or indirectly connected to these gods. This analysis will discuss the gods of Ancient ..."
Abstract This paper discusses how the whole universe follows through a cycle of creations, causing a cycle of life and death. It looks at how concepts provided by myths can be applied to most of these issues at hand and how myths can be analogously related to almost all topics. It questions the universality of myths through an analysis of the myths of "Gaia and Ouranos" and "Rhea and Kronos" from Hesiod's "Theogony", along with comparative collections from the "Enuma Elish". The universality of these myths is addressed by applying Richard Caldwell's psychological approach in the areas of decomposition, symbolism, projection, symbiosis, and individuation.
From the Paper "Psychoanalysis states that every thought is composed of hidden or unconscious reflections, which can be displayed in ones actions, which agrees with the universal fact that we quickly judge people by their actions whether conscious or unconscious. By decomposition we can derive the main latent content and relate it to several actions in the manifest. Several latent thoughts can be encompassed in a single manifest act, although there may be several ways of grouping them. These latent thoughts can contain a theme such as wishes or fears or both. In the myth of "Gaia and Ouranos", Ouranos fears that he might be killed by his son or his son-in-law. His hidden or unconscious thoughts are manifested by the act of hiding his children in Gaia's womb."
Abstract This paper delves into Carl Gustav Jung's creation of the archetype and its significance to psychology and literature. It compares Jung's ideas to those of Freud, Northrop Frye and Umberto Eco. Also, primary and secondary sources are used to show the importance of the archetype and its relationship to myths and symbols.
From the Paper "In the world of psychology, Carl Gustav Jung is known to have introduced some truly groundbreaking ideas about the nature of the unconscious. These ideas have become integral to the history of literary criticism as well. Interestingly, this legendary figure was once a part of Sigmund Freud's school of psychoanalysis (Richter 504). However, Jung eventually distanced himself from Freud's ideas and began what he called the field of analytic psychology (different from Freud's psychoanalytic theory) (Richter 504). With analytic psychology, Jung was able to explore different possibilities about the human unconscious that he otherwise couldn't have under Freud's tutelage; most notably, his idea of the archetypes found in the collective unconscious. It so happens that Jung's distinctive ideas have given rise to a wider range of psychological possibilities and ideas for one to consider, which ultimately aids in the quest for truth."
Abstract This paper discusses the importance of studying mythology. A definition of mythology is presented. The ancient and modern aspects are outlined in this paper. The paper describes the importance of mythology as a teaching tool. The cultural and religious facets are also explored.
Outline
Defining Mythology The Lessons of Mythology Mythology as a Cultural Paradigm
Mythology as a Human Paradigm
Mythology and Conflict
Mythology as Religion
Conclusion
From the Paper "The study of mythology is important for both individualistic and collective reasons. On an individual level, mythology could teach moral or human truths, whereas on a collective level mythology could be used to keep people in touch with their origins. Mythological stories could then be used to teach children values such as hard work, diligence and obedience. Role models are created through mythological figures. Also, the mythology of different cultures can serve to teach the student about the values of that culture. This is particularly important in the world today, since advancing technology and phenomena such as globalization has brought foreign cultures much more frequently in touch with each other than was previously the case. It is therefore important to study mythology for the values that it can teach both children and adults, and also for understanding the heritage inherent in these stories."
Abstract Greco-Roman mythology has quite obviously influenced Christianity. These parallel myths are made evident throughout the Bible and are a testament to the ability of two cultures to meld their beliefs.This paper looks at the mythology's influence on Christianity and compares old Greco-Roman gods to the saints used in Christianity. It also compares old stories and myths from Greco-Roman mythology that were transformed and rewritten in the Bible.
Introduction
Influence of Greco-Roman Mythology on Christianity
Comparison of Saints, Stories and Myths
Bible Stories compared to Greek Myths
Discussion and Conclusion
From the Paper "The book, Hellenism and Christianity asserts that Christianity and Greco-Roman sentiment meshed and that this melding is evident from the very first Christian writings to the church of Thessalonica during the reign of Claudius. (Bevan and Allen 1921) The authors contend that the Christian writing takes the ?old body of ideas, emotions, and desires which made up the mentality of the Greco-Roman world.? (Bevan and Allen 1921) Ultimately, the authors argue, Christianity is nothing more than the fusion of the Greco-Roman world and a Christ based religion."
Abstract This paper discusses mythology, particularly the major areas of mythology that have influenced the development of the collective mythological heritage - the concepts of Atonism, Zarathustrism and Judaism. The paper describes examples from these areas of mythology to understand their role in explaining or interpreting natural events as they pertain to nature, the universe and humanity in general.
From the Paper "Historically, many scholars view this hymn as one of the earliest known examples of monotheistic mythology. In fact, the Pharaoh's thoughts were eventually found heretical by his own people and were quickly reverted to the more traditional polytheism of Egyptian mythology. However, this fact of both monotheism and atonement found in this hymn serve as an example of how mythology is passed on, as many scholoars argue that this hymn is an indication that Egyptians were the original source of Judaism and thus, the Judeo-Christian tradition."
