Week 6 Discussions: Creation Myths: Sumerian, Hindu, Hebrew, Egyptian, Mayan; Myths of the Afterlife

Respond to at least one discussion for at least four of these myths: Sumerian, Hindu, Hebrew, Chinese, Egyptian, and Mayan; Myths of the Afterlife.

• Sumerian: The introduction to this myth discusses the gods of the four elements.What is the significance of these four elements in Greek culture? What other references to these four elements are you familiar with?

• Sumerian: According to this myth, what is the purpose of humanity? What does this myth suggest about the relationship between humans and gods or humans and humans?

• Hindu: How does this story compare to the creation story in Genesis?

• Hindu: How do the actions of the animals mentioned in the context of creation in this myth compare to the actions of the animals mentioned in "Out of the Blue"? In the Hindu myth, who are these animals supposed to be?  In the Bible, does God ever manifest himself as an animal?

• Hebrew: What does the Genesis story suggest about the relationship of males and females and the relationships between heavenly beings, humans, other creatures, and the earth?

• Hebrew: One of the differences between myth and religion is that myth just tells a story--without trying to "explain" the story or make it make sense. Christians often interpret the serpent in the Garden as Satan. What does the story say? Also, Christianity argues that Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden because of their fall. What reason is given in the story for the expulsion from the garden? What does this suggest about the trees in the garden?  How does this discussion help us understand the difference between myth and religion?

• Hebrew: How are the trees in Genesis similiar to the tree in "Out of the Blue" or to Yggdrasil in the Norse Creation myth?

• Chinese: What similarities do the Chinese creation myths about P'an Ku share with the creation myths of the Greeks, Babylonians, or Norse?

• Egyptian: What similarities exist between the Egyptian myth and Genesis? How is this myth similar to other creation myths we have studied?

• Mayan: What does this story suggest about the creation of humanity and humanity's relationship to nature and the gods?

• Creation of humans (include all four from this week):  We have seen a number of myths that explain the creation of humans.  Compare these myths in terms of the relations of humans to the gods and humans to each other.  What does each myth suggest about why humans exist (the answer to that big philosophical question--Why am I here)?

• The Word (cover at least four different myths):  In the Dogon myth, we saw the relevance of the Word in creation.  What is the significance of the Word in each of these myths? What role has the Word played in other myths we have studied?

• Myths of the Afterlife: What do all of these various myths suggest about human attitudes toward death? New Testament writers frequently mention the "hope of the resurrection." What role does hope play, if any, in the myths of the afterlife of other cultures?

Be sure to give well developed responses, and respond to the posts of at least two of your classmates.