Evolutionary theory vs. creation myths - how did the world come into being?

Common creation myths 

Throughout history, there have been various creation myths and theories about the beginning of the world and the formation of planet Earth, which attempt to explain the formation of the universe and our planet. Thus, our views on the age of the Earth, the universe, and the origin of life on Earth depend on both our logical conclusions and discoveries, as well as our beliefs and convictions. 

Evolution

Evolution is the continuous and irreversible development and change of the inherited characteristics of organisms.

Evolutionary theory According to it, organisms gradually change over generations through genetic mutations and natural selection, leading to the emergence of new species and the modification of existing species.

The theory of evolution is characterized by:

• Genetic variation – Populations of organisms exhibit genetic diversity, meaning that each individual has a unique combination of genes. This diversity arises as a result of mutations, gene transfer, and sexual reproduction.
• Natural selection, which means that certain traits increase an organism's chances of surviving and reproducing in the environment it lives in. These traits are passed on to subsequent generations, while less favorable traits gradually disappear from the population.
• Heredity – successful traits that help to survive and reproduce are passed on to offspring, leading to the spread of these traits in the population.
• Changes over time – Natural selection and genetic variation cause gradual changes in species over time, which can eventually lead to the emergence of new species.

The theory of evolution was first systematically proposed by Charles Darwin in his book “On the Origin of Species” published in 1859. Critics of the theory of evolution have highlighted various aspects that scientists continue to seek answers to and investigate. 

Creation of the world

The Christian creation of the world refers to To the Bible's creation stories in Genesis, according to which God created the world in six days. The Bible's Genesis also describes The story of the creation of Adam and Eve.

1. day: God created the light and separated it from the darkness, creating day and night.
2. Day 1: God created the firmament, separating the waters in the firmament from the waters on the earth.
3. Day 1: God gathered the waters of the earth together to make dry land appear, creating land and seas. Then he created plants and trees.
4. day: God created the heavenly bodies—the sun, moon, and stars—to rule over day and night.
5. Day 1: God created sea creatures and birds.
6. Day 1: God created land animals and finally man, male and female, in his own image.
7. day: God rested and sanctified that day.

According to Christian doctrine, the creation of the world is an expression of God's love. The idea that God created everything in a specific order and with a purpose forms the basis of creation theory for understanding the universe and the origin of life on Earth. The Christian creation story emphasizes that all of creation is God's handiwork and creation, encouraging Christians to see the world as sacred and valuable, and guiding them to live lives that honor and reflect God's creativity and love. 

The Christian creation story has had a profound influence on culture, art, literature, and philosophy. It has inspired countless works of art, literature, and music, and has been the starting point for many philosophical debates. The Christian creation story offers answers to questions about the origin and purpose of human existence. It answers questions about where we came from, why we are here, and what our relationship is with God. Thus, the Christian creation story is the only complete and meaningful explanation of the beginning, functioning, and future of the world.

Mayan creation myth

Mayans are an Indian people who live in southern Mexico and northern Central America. The Mayan sacred text "Popol Vuh" describes the creation of the world, the birth of gods and humans, and the foundations of Mayan cosmology.

According to the Mayan creation myth, the gods created the world in several stages. In the beginning, there was only the sky and the sea. Then the gods decided to create the land, mountains, rivers, and vegetation. Humans were created after several failed attempts. The first attempts to create humans from clay and wood failed because these creatures could not respect their creators. Finally, the gods created humans from corn, which was a central part of the Mayan food culture. From corn, humans became perfect, they could speak and think, and they respected their creators.

The Mayan creation myth is considered a cultural and symbolic interpretation that characterizes the Mayan worldview and beliefs.

Celtic creation myth

Celts are a culturally and linguistically related Indo-European tribe who lived in Western and Central Europe in the 1st millennium BC. The Celtic creation myth is associated with divine beings and the elements of nature and is closely intertwined with Irish mythology and legends. 

Although Celtic myths are more concerned with the actions of the gods and their relationships with nature and man, some versions suggest that the world was originally born from water, with the first land masses rising from the currents of the Danu River. The Celts believed that the gods and nature were closely connected. Natural places, such as rivers, trees, and hills, were sacred and were associated with various gods. Nature mythology was central to Celtic rituals and beliefs.

Celtic creation myths and beliefs show how they revered nature and the divine forces that ruled their world. Celtic mythology is full of rich and complex stories that express their deep connection to nature and the divine.

The stories of the Celtic creation myth carry within them a set of culture, values, and beliefs that helped them understand and explain the world around them.

Other explanations for the formation of known earth

Many cultures have created myths and legends that explain the origin of the world and the Earth. For example, the Babylonian creation myth "Enuma Elish" According to the myth, the earth was created after a battle between the gods, in which the chief god Marduk defeated the goddess of chaos, Tiamat. Tiamat's body was divided into two halves, one half forming the sky and the other the earth.

Chinese creation myths There are various explanations for how the universe, Earth, and life came into being. Traditionally, the world was created on the Chinese New Year, and animals, humans, and many deities were created during the 15 days that followed. One of the most common Chinese creation myths tells of the giant Pangu who created the world. When Pangu died, his body parts became the elements of the earth—his flesh became the earth, his breath became the wind, his blood became the rivers, and his bones became the mountains, etc.

Each myth explains the origin of the world and people differently, reflecting the beliefs and values of the respective culture.

What is the theory of evolution?

It is believed that planet Earth formed 4.5 billion years ago. The theory of evolution focuses on the processes of development and change of living organisms over time. 

The development of the theory of evolution

The first ideas about the evolution of living organisms were put forward before Charles Darwin, but they were not scientifically substantiated or widely accepted. The first ideas that species have changed over time come from Charles Darwin's grandfather Erasmus from Darwin. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck In the early 19th century, Lamarck proposed the first comprehensive theory of evolution, according to which organisms develop from lower to higher forms and that acquired characteristics are inherited. Although his theory was later refuted, Lamarck made important contributions to the gradual acceptance of biological evolution and stimulated countless further studies. In the 19th century, Darwin, along with other scientists, provided a scientific basis for the theory of evolution by showing how natural selection drives the adaptation and development of species.

Charles Darwin's theory and natural selection

Charles Darwin is considered the founder of the theory of evolution. His theory, which he presented in his book published in 1859, “The Origin of Species” (“On the Origin of Species”), focuses on natural selection as the primary mechanism that causes species to adapt and change. Natural selection means that those organisms that have traits that are better suited to survival and reproduction are more likely to pass those traits on to others. Over time, this process leads to adaptations within species and the emergence of new species. Thus, Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, or Darwinism, had three main components: 

1. there was random variation among members of the species; 
2. the characteristics of an individual could be inherited by its offspring and
3. the struggle for survival allowed only those with favorable characteristics to survive.

The theory of evolution after Darwin

In the 20th century, Charles Darwin's theory was largely developed in genetics, explaining the variability of evolution and heredity at the molecular level. Today, the theory of evolution encompasses a wide range of scientific disciplines, including genetics, ecology, paleontology, and developmental biology. This constantly evolving field of science explains the diversity and development of life forms on planet Earth.

Evidence of biological evolution

Evidence for biological evolution includes a variety of scientific observations and findings that support the theory of evolution. This evidence can be found in fossils, which show the gradual change of living organisms over time, genetics, which shows how DNA sequences change and are inherited, and ecological observations, which document the adaptation of species to changing environmental conditions. There is also significant evidence in the form of homologous structures, which show how different species have descended from common ancestors.

Animal and human evolution

The study of human and animal evolution seeks to understand the origin and development of life forms on planet Earth.

During the course of animal evolution, animal species changed and developed over time, adapting to their environment. Human evolution describes how modern humans evolved. It is believed that humans evolved from primates about 6-7 million years ago, and Homo sapiens (modern humans) emerged about 200,000-300,000 years ago. The first humans are believed to have originated in Africa. Modern humans are distinguished from their predecessors by their complex culture, language, art, and technological achievements. These characteristics developed gradually and allowed humans to adapt to very different environments.

The origin of the Earth and life – evolutionary theory vs. creation of the world

Evolutionary theory and religion offer different approaches to the origin of life and the universe. 

Evolutionary Theory vs Creation

The debate over whether evolution is real continues, with different people basing their positions on different arguments. Also There are various views among Christians on creation and evolution. – some Christians believe that evolution is consistent with faith and the Bible, other Christians do not believe in evolution. What is certain is that they have a great deal in common, and both have their own scientific basis and schools of thought that study the field.

Evolution	Creation
The world came into being out of nothing by chance	The world is an intelligent clone
Everything is chaotic and random.	Everything works according to system and order.
Life is uncertain and temporary.	My life has a reason and purpose.
Everything is random.	The past, present, and future are a complete system
400 years of one man's idea	People have believed in a higher creator and purpose throughout world history.

The Christian approach to understanding the origin of the world and life is based on logic and several important arguments that support this approach:

• The Christian worldview holds that life is not random or meaningless, but has a definite purpose, preordained by God. Each person's life is part of a larger divine plan that gives meaning to life and guides moral behavior.
• According to Christianity, human consciousness and the ability to think, love, and create are gifts from God. Only divine consciousness can explain certain aspects of life, such as love, self-sacrifice, and moral sense, which are difficult to fully explain by evolution or physical processes alone. Given the complexity of consciousness, we could not have arisen by chance; it is possible with the help of a greater knowledge and a creator.
• According to Christianity, the universe and life were created in an orderly and purposeful way. This order points to a Creator who has put everything in place. For example, the laws of nature and the complexity of life suggest that the world could not have arisen simply as a result of random events, but is guided by a higher power.
• People tend to constantly strive for something more, often feeling dissatisfied with what they have. This may reflect our inner sense that there is something more to the world that we cannot see, but that we perceive and seek. Some find peace when they understand this inner longing and find meaning in it.
• Humans want to follow someone and act on their example. It is human nature to be a companion rather than a boss – this is for a reason, because we share a common author.

There are also those among scientists who criticize Darwinian evolution and argue that it cannot fully explain the complexity of life. The existence of a higher power and an intelligent design seems a logical conclusion based on the way the world works. Accepting the theory of evolution, on the other hand, requires a faith even greater than Christianity itself. These arguments support the Christian belief that life and the universe were created by a higher power and have a deeper purpose and meaning.

Summary

The theory of evolution and creation myths offer different explanations for the origin of life. The theory of evolution, which is considered to be the founder of Charles Darwin, claims that life has developed gradually and through natural processes, such as natural selection and genetic mutations. Creation myths rely on scripture, such as the Bible in the case of the Christian creation of the world, to provide a holistic and meaningful approach and help to understand the deeper purposes and meaning of life.