PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Creation story comparison
Native American Basic Beliefs
Those who follow the Native American belief system are polytheistic. They also believe in spirits and spirit guides which usually take to form of animals. Their religious ceremonies are very defined, such as the ceremony for a funeral.
Christian Basic Beliefs
The Christians believe in one higher power who controls everything although he is separated into three parts: the Father God, the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit. Those who follow the Christian belief follow a set of moral codes.
The Native American Creation Story
Water was originally all that earth was until a beetle created the land by diving down and bringing up mud. The rest of the animals didn't know if it was safe on the new land yet, so they sent out birds. The buzzard came back saying it was safe. The buzzard also created the mountains and valleys with its wings when it got close to the ground. It took seven nights to get all the animals down and settled on this new land. There were originally two people, brother and sister, until the brother hit the other with a fish telling her that she needed to have a child.
The Cristian creation story
At first, there was only their god who is referred to as God. he created the world in seven days. First, he created light and continued making things each day till Sunday which is now known as the day of rest. on one of the final days, God created Adam and Eve.
Differences Between the Myths
In the Christian myth, there is a higher being or "God" who is above everything and controls everything. this is far different from the Native American creation story as there is not an all-powerful higher being. In the Christian myth, this "God" figure created everything out of thin air or out of their will. In the Native American story, the world was created by several animals. Although there are two people male and female in both stories in the native American myth they are brother and sister but in Christian myth, they are not related whatsoever.
Similarities Between the Myths
There are not many similarities within these myths other than that in both myths the word was seemingly created within seven days. The one other similarity is in the literary structure both of which focuses on one or many characters and how the created the world.
Literary Structure and Style
The structure of the Native American story is told in chronological order about how these animals created the world. this story uses personification to of the animals to tell the story. The Cristian creation story is chronological order similar to the native American focuses on one character and how he created the world.
