Origin belief

The term origin belief refers to stories and explanations which describe the beginnings of humanity, earth, life, and the universe (cosmogony). Origins beliefs commonly refer to creation myths —

Related Topics:
Humanity - Earth - Life - Universe - Cosmogony

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mytho-religious stories which explain the beginnings of the universe as a deliberate act of "creation" by a supreme being. "Origin belief" may be generalized to include non-religious claims and theories based in contemporary science or philosophy—the Theory of evolution and the Big Bang fall into this category.

Related Topics:
Mytho- - Religious - Creation - Supreme being - Science - Philosophy - Theory of evolution - Big Bang

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Related Topics:
Scientific investigation - Metaphysical speculation - Religious belief

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As with any set of beliefs, opinions regarding the validity of particular origins beliefs differ —points of view on these subjects vary widely.

Related Topics:
Beliefs - Points of view

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Related Topics:
Disproven - Anathema - Improbable - Mutually exclusive - Synthesis

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The term creation myth may be seen as offensive when used to describe stories which are still believed today, as the term myth suggests ideas which are absurd or fictional. These beliefs and stories need not be a literal account of actual events, but may express what are perceived to be truths at a deeper or more symbolic level. Author Daniel Quinn notes that in this sense creation myths need not be religious in nature, and they have secular forms in modern cultures.

Related Topics:
Myth - Daniel Quinn

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Many creation beliefs share broadly similar themes. Common motifs include the fractionation of the things of the world from a primordial chaos; the separation of the mother and father gods; land emerging from an infinite and timeless ocean; and so on.

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Some religious groups assert that creation beliefs should complement scientific accounts of the development of life and the cosmos. This assertion has proven highly controversial. For an account of this debate, see creation-evolution controversy.

Related Topics:
Scientific - Creation-evolution controversy

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