There is a conscious awareness that is derived from one’s acknowledgement of his roots and what other ways would prove more prudent to do this, other than narating one’s creation story. This is just one of the numerous reasons why human beings engage in ceveloping a creation story that is, most times , suitable to their own origins. There are several creation stories that has been recounted throughout history and across all origins. It has however contained some persistent factors that has been retold in several ways. Some common factors that remain rather consistent include the recognition of a primary power from which all other life forms are derived. This validation is borne mainly out of curiosity, therefore, curiosity is one main reason why humans tell creation stories. In a bid to give answers to some rather important questions, creation stories are fomulated.
Another reason is to validate the present and political order. This is self explanatory, human beings utilize the narrative of creation stories to support some claims of superiority( even on one race to another) of existence. It is utilized to support man’s superiority over animals, plants and water bodies as wel.
CREATION MYTH THAT I FIND INTERESTING.
The “Creation of Atum” is certainly one of profound interest to me. In the first person narrative, Atum claims to be the first one, from which all other “eaneads” (gods) was begot. He claims accordingly, “All developments developed after I developed” His vivid account of creation was a narrative being told first hand. This is contrasting to the Bible where the scholars ( as well as Moses) wrote the book of Genesis. It’s first person singular noun form gives it some form of rare validity as though it is more original. ” I sneezed Shu and Tefnut” here, emohasis should be made on the singular first person form that gives the narrative a more potent form. This form of first person is parrallel to the form used in the Islamic holy book, the Koran where Allah speaks in first person noun form.
With SHu representing air, Tefnut representing moisture, Geb representing earth, Nut representing sky, Osiris, Isis , Seth and Nephthys as the “eaneads” (gods) This logical relation to air and m,oisture makes the account more appealing to me. Thi is because air and moisture are trhe essential chemical compositions of water, H20 ( hydrogen and Oxygen) and the same logical sequence can be related other creation myths in which life forms are derived from water. Atum insists that his creation, Shu and Tefnut gave birth to ” Geb and Nut” ( earth and sky) In the bible account of genesis, water was also the first indication of celestial form that gave rise to others.
This sequence of creating Shu and Tefnut multiplied with the birth of Geb and Nut whom bore Osiris, Horus, Isis and Nephthys and their descendants eventually filled the world.
THE TIGLETH PILASER PRINCIPLE SUMMARY
The Tigleth Pilaser principle had its roots from an Assyrian King, Ashur whom lived around 1115 - 1076 BCE. It is an account of victory in battle ddpicted by a loyal soldier in honor to his King. However, further analysis of the account presents an extensive exaggeration of facts throughout the text. It is obvious that there is some exaggeration, considering that during the ancient world, human population was not as much to support a standing army of over 20,000 men. This exaggeration is not uncommon, be it in the ancient world or in our own modern times. However, in the ancient times, honor, valour, victory and conquest were prized human qualities. The idea of conquering a nation, being victorious in battle and loyalty to aking were very enviable qualities. therefore, soldiers and combatants went out their ways to fabricate statistics nd exagerrate the magnitude of their success. Needless to say , these claims were very hard to flasify, considering that there qwere no readily available means to verify its validity. In modern times as well, contemporary leaders, though to much limited extent, also engage in such manipulation of statistics. This occurrence is readily observable whenone considers the current situation with the facts and figures surrounding Iraq.
SIMMILARITIES BETWEEN THE BIBLE AND THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH
These two impoertant historical texts have some simmilarities as i shall elaborate. Just like Noah, the great god ordered Utnapishtam to give up all his possessions and build a ship. In his ship, two forms of life were likewise aboard the ship. In accordance to the accounts of the flood in the Bible, the flood also lasted for six days and six nights, bringing the entire surface of the earth to a levelled landscape. A dove, in so many ways, represents chastity. On the account of John the Baptist’s baptism of Jesus Christ, a dove was set forth on the son of the father, representig his heavenly heritage. In the account of Utnapishtam, as presented by the legedary epic, the same dove was first to be set forth and it returned, since there was no resting ground. Noah, in the account of th flood, also set forth a dove into the recceeding waters. More so, in a more potent form but rather without the context of the storm, the symbollic snake is once again proven to be associated with evil. In the account of creation, the old serpent lured the wife God gave to Adam, Eve into eating the forbidden apple and was punished accordingly. In such rlated situations as well, the same symbollic serpent also consumes the water plant that Gilgamesh toiled to possess, denying him the chance of immortality
THE THREE ETILOGIES FROM GENESIS
The basic three etilogies from the book of Genesis were related to Adam, Eve and the serpent. The serpent , God punished by denying it the ability to walk ever. He mandated him to crawl on his belly and that men would walk on him. The woman, Eve, was punished with the pain of childbirth. The punishment of Adam was the responsibilty of providing for the family through labor and hard work.
My personal etiology about why students have to do this theological work is simple; it exposes students to a chance to critically discover fact and seperate it from fiction, based on their own judgement and without bias.

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