Christians: What does it mean that other societies have their own religions and creation stories?

Question

Probably out of answerers, but put that in the light of human travel, originating in Africa and spreading everywhere. All cultures have a common root because all humans have a common root. How likely is it that Adam and Eve worshipped capital "G", then the whole world went polytheistic, then some went back? Not very.

Answer 1

It means that we all have our own version of the one Universal Truth known as God. It's interesting the similarities that have cropped up through the ages and across the miles.

Answer 2

Every culture has tried to explain why we're here and how we got here. It seems inherent in human nature.

I think some of the similarities reveal common themes in humanity and/or common events that occurred on a wide scale, since different cultures have captured them in their myths.

I do think some of the similarities are overblown, and we're not thinking critically (in a good way) by just assuming this means they're all rip-offs, or all the same.

First of all, correlation does not mean causation; it's hard to define in what culture an idea might have originated and which cultures borrowed it. Usually it could go either way.

Next, certain themes are common to a genre and just because they show up in more than one does NOT mean that the theme was copied.

For example, you can look at the fantasy book market and find broad general similarities in the topical and theme matter. In some cases, it does mean people are ripping off Tolkien (for example :) ); but just because a magic sword and a wizard show up in one story doesn't mean that the author was copying Tolkien or even heard of Tolkien. The elements are general enough and the cultures similar enough that they can originate with each author in turn.

So, as far as religions go, just because they all have creation stories with some broad similarities doesn't mean one was based on the other. What's important is looking at the differences between the stories, especially among the assumptions and underlying foundation of the stories.

For some contrasts between creation as per the Tenach (for example) and other religions of the time, see the link below. How the Jews painted God was very different from how other religions of the time, even with their own creation stories, painted God.

Answer 3

First, as a Christian you must declare that their religions and creation stories are fudamentally and inexorably flawed.

To not do so would cheapen the divinity of Christ as sole savior of mankind.

Secondly, understand that creation stories are allegories. No divine being sat down and sculpted the earth in the exact way any story claims. They are intended chiefly to describe the nature of God by means of a story. For instance, Genisis tells us that God is one, all-powerful, and concerned with the happiness and moral goodness of mankind.

Answer 4

I understand that other societies have their own religions and creation stories. We see this in America where we have a melting pot of nationalities.
We have to ask ourselves what is important what man thinks of what God says. God has given us a final authority set down in the Word of God the Bible. It is this these truths that we follow and we encourage people to accept God's Word also.

Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Answer 5

It means that it must have been God that created the earth since almost all nations have a story of it and also of the great flood.

Gods truths gets out no matter what.

Answer 6

Jon, sunshine, I think you need to be nice to Curious Chemical. Note the soft-spoken menace....

And it's very hard for me to pull off something like that.
=0)

There's this show called the Power of Myth, that talks about exactly that.

Answer 7

theyll just point that its evidence that god is real because he revealed himself to them or such great logic

the idea that someone else experienced anything other than evolution is irrefutable evidence of their godhead

Answer 8

It means that the Devil is over there too, decieving them too!!!!!!! Unless the creation theory matches what GOD did-------as far as RELIGIONS they are all FALSE!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

it means you're a dumbass! and you waste your time trying to dissuade me.

Answer 10

it means they have to be converted, otherwise they will burn in everlasting fire