Cosmology

:For the jazz band, see Cosmology (band).

Religious cosmology

Many world religions have origins beliefs that explain the beginnings of the universe and life. Often these are derived from scriptural teachings and held to be part of the faith's dogma, but in some cases these are also extended through the use of philosophical and metaphysical arguments (e.g. argument for the existence of God). In the vast majority of origin beliefs, the universe was created by a direct act of a god or gods who are also responsible for the creation of man. As a conscious creation, the universe is usually assumed to be endowed by its creator with some purpose or design, aspects of which are often used to frame man's role in the world and his relationship with God. In many cases, religious cosmologies also foretell the end of the universe, either through another divine act or as part of the original design.

Related Topics:
Religion - Origins beliefs - Scriptural - Dogma - Argument for the existence of God - Created - God or gods - End of the universe

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• Both Christianity and Judaism accept creation according to Genesis. See also Biblical cosmology and Tzimtzum.
• Kalam cosmological argument in Islam's Kalam.

Many religions accept the findings of physical cosmology, in particular the big bang, and some, such as the Roman Catholic Church, have embraced it as suggesting a philosophical first cause. Others have tried to use the methodology of science to advocate for their own religious cosmology, as in intelligent design or creationist cosmologies.

Related Topics:
Roman Catholic Church - Intelligent design - Creationist cosmologies

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