The Power of Creation Myths: Understanding Our Place in the Cosmos
In a fascinating article by James Boyce (2014), in which he argues that “original sin” has become the creation myth of Western society which pervades our public and private lives without us even recognising its influence, he writes:
Western people are increasingly ready to respect the importance of creation myths in Indigenous cultures. We now understand that the point of these allegories is not to document a literal, historical truth; rather, they represent internalised lore which helps people place themselves in the cosmos. (Boyce, 2014)
This statement set me thinking. The role of creation myths in societies goes beyond explaining how we came into existence. Anthropologists, historians, and theologians have always understood how these narratives offer us a glimpse into the cultural beliefs present during their conception. In recent times, though, Westerners have started seeing this significance too.
Although science can illuminate much about our physical world, it only partially explains experiences beyond that realm’s limits — like spirituality or culture — where creation stories shine a light on these aspects of our existence. These tales’ allegories let us explore significant philosophical questions like what existence holds in store for us or what life’s purpose might be.
Indigenous communities especially find these creation myths crucial since they provide a framework to understand how people fit into a larger spiritual cosmos. Understanding the connectivity between all things is essential in appreciating these creation myths’ value. By analysing these stories, individuals gain insight into their spiritual and cultural contexts, giving them a sense of purpose and belonging.
Creation myths also illustrate humanity’s close relationship with nature. Indigenous peoples have long understood this connection and view humans as one component of a more comprehensive ecological system — not above or beyond it. This perspective contrasts sharply with traditional Western thinking about nature being something humans exploit for their benefit — leading many to believe that indigenous views are far superior.
I once belonged to a Christian denomination that insisted on reading the creation myth in the first chapters of the Book of Genesis in the Bible as literal history. However, interpreting creation myths as historically accurate accounts is misguided since these tales represent internalised lore rather than factually accurate history. When interpreting biblical creation myths literally as factual events, there are some fundamental problems with this approach: namely, no scientific basis exists for claims that Earth was created within six days or that Adam and Eve are representative of real historical figures.
Such a literal view limits our ability to draw out these texts' broader spiritual or cultural significance. Worse yet, this approach can justify dangerous attitudes towards the natural world — and even towards other cultures or communities. It also “disrespects” the texts which were never intended to be literal history. A more nuanced and profound way of approaching these stories is to understand them as allegories rather than literal accounts. This opens the possibility for deeper contemplation and reflection on important existential questions about life’s purpose and our place in nature’s grand scheme.
It is worth noting that Christian thinkers have embraced this non-literal interpretation from very early on. Origen of Alexandria once noted that religious narratives centred around Creation were intended to convey lessons about spirituality versus factual accounts of history. Over time, his ideas have faded so much that many Westerners see science alone as a valid source of knowledge. (Moore, n.d.) This myopic viewpoint has left many with only partial understandings surrounding larger cultural or ethical considerations today. A glimmer of hope does exist, though; Indigenous communities are now being respected for their beliefs surrounding our existence's origins instead of being marginalised or ignored altogether. Acknowledging these different traditions may be key to achieving greater justice while respecting nature.
The essence of creation myths surpasses simple stories about how life came about. It carries significant expressions embodying values pertinent to distinct cultures and communities worldwide; they pave paths for comprehending oneself and one’s position in space and the intricate relationships shared between humans, nature, and others. Acknowledging these contrasting narratives affords us spiritual and cultural expansion opportunities while advocating for greater harmony and sustainability among all life forms on our planet.
Reference
Boyce, J. (2014, July 23). How original sin led to a Western obsession with self-help. The Guardian. http://www.theguardian.com/culture/australia-culture-blog/2014/jul/23/how-original-sin-led-to-a-western-obsession-with-self-help
Moore, E. (n.d.). Origen of Alexandria. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved May 5, 2023, from https://iep.utm.edu/origen-of-alexandria/
