Religion Comparison

Religions have a common thread. They each start at their begining with the explanation of how the world began aka creation.

THE CHEROKEE NATION

• The traditional belief system of the Cherokee Nation is based upon nature.
• The Cherokee believe that the elements of nature are primary to life and the creation of all living things.

CHEROKEE SACRED TEXT

• Prayers, Hymns and Stories are all part of their belief system.
• In these text the Cherokee have common symbols of importance.
• Nature: all nature is sacred. The wind, water, air are all important symbols.
• Numbers: 7, 4 and 3 are all important and considered spiritual.
• Day and Night. Night is viewed as a special time when only the most special of creatures is allowed the ability to see. Nocturnal animals such as the owl and cougar are highly regarded.
• Evergreen Trees: Pine, Spruce, holly, laurel and cedar are admired for their ability to maintain their green foilage year round.

CHEROKEE CREATION STORY

• The Earth was filled with water.
• The animals in the sky needed more room. One of the creatures, the water beetle, went deep into the water and brought forth mud to create land.
• All creatures, animals and plants were on the Earth. Nature came first and therfore is most sacred.
• Man was created last.
• The Earth was created in 7 nights. Only the Owl and Cougar were strong enough to stay awake for all 7 nights while creation occured. Therefore, they are honored with their nocturnal abilities.

JUDEO-CHRISTIAN

• Monotheistic Religions. Judaism and Christianity both stem from belief in God as the creator.
• The Torrah and Bible both begin with the story of creation and the fall of man.
• God is central to the belief of both the Christian and Jewish faiths. A benevolent God, who cares for his creations, but also should be feared.
• A belief that man was created to have dominion over the Earth and all living things.
• Prayers, hymns and stories are used to convey truths and concepts to believers.

JUDEO-CHRISTIAN CREATION STORY FROM GENESIS

• God chose to create the Earth.
• The Earth was without form. All was first waters.
• In 6 days God created, the heavens, Earth, day, night, sun, moon, stars, animals and humans.
• God created both man and woman to look like him.
• He gave man and woman power over the plants and all animals. The plants and animals were made to be a source of food for mankind.
• Adam and Eve were the first of mankind. They betrayed God by not following his example and were cast out of the Garden of Eden to toil on the Earth.

HOW ARE THESE CREATION STORIES SIMILAR?

COMMON CONCEPTS

• The Earth was waters and a void.
• Man and woman were a part of the story.
• Both creation stories detail the separation of day and night through dark and light.
• The parting of waters from dry land is part of both accounts.

DIFFERENCES

• The Earth was created by God in Genesis. In the Cherokee creation story Earths creation begins with the water-beetle.
• In the Cherokee story the animals lived above the sky. The Earth existed already. The Earth was created for the animals to have more room.
• In Genesis, the Earth was formed by God who chose to create Earth.
• In Genesis, the creation of man and woman by God in his on image is an important part of the story. Mankind is given a central role in the story. Man is also given the Earth and the plants and animals to have dominion or control over.
• In the Cherokee story, mankind is a very small part of the story. It is not clear how men and women were created. The importance is placed on nature. The characters in the Cherokee creation story have human qualities. These qualities are further examples of the importance of nature to the Cherokee.

LITERARY STRUCTURES OF THESE CREATION STORIES

• The Cherokee creation story was shared orally in the Cherokee language until it was written by James Mooney in the late 1800's.
• The creation story from the Bible or Torrah in the book of Genesis was written around 1400 BCE.
• Both naratives utilize vivid imagery in description of the Earth. In both narratives, the Earth is described as without form and covered by water. As the narrative progresses greater vivid details are shared with the reader about the way the Earth looks as it continues the path of creation.
• Both narratives utilize the concept of time in days to maintain a since of order in each narrative.
• Symbolism is used in both passages to further the plot. In Genesis , the Garden of Eden is symbolic of a perfect place. The forbidden fruit is a symbol of sin. In the Cherokee narative the Earth is a rock hanging by threads. It is symbolic of balance and the fact that if the world is used up the cords will break and life on Earth will end.
• The creation narrative of the Cherokee utilizes anthropomorphism so that the narrative is coveyed from natures perspective.