1 - Universe and Human Life - Religion

• Literal 


  Understanding something exactly as it is written
• Liberal


  Free thinking, challenging traditional views
• Christianity

  Two stories in Genesis which describe God's creation of the world

  • Genesis 1 - God creates the earth in 6 days
  • Genesis 2 - Gid makes the first humans, Adam and Eve
• Story 1: God Creates the Earth in 6 Days (Genesis 1)

  • Before creation there was nothing
  • Day 1 - God creates light by saying 'let there be light'
  • Days 2-5 God separates sea and sky, creates land, plants, sun, moon, stars, birds and sea creatures
  • Day 6 - God creates animals and the final creation is humans who are made 'in his image'
  • Humans are told to 'be fruitful and multiple' and have domination over the earth
  • Day 7 - God rests
• Story 2 - God Creates Humans (Genesis 2)

  • God created Adam first, before the animals and before Eve
  • He is made from dust of the earth and God breathes life into him, which means God gave Adam a soul
  • He is put in the Garden of Eden and all creatures are made as company
  • God puts Adam into a deep sleep and makes Eve out of one of hid ribs as a suitable partner and companion
• Literal

  • The Bible is 'God-breathed' and is word for word true with no mistakes
  • Young Earth Creationists believe the world was created in 6 days of 24 hours, less than 10,000
  • Old Earth Creationists believe the word 'day' means a long period of time, so creation happened millions of years ago
  • Literal Christians reject science as the Bible is right and science is wrong
• Liberal

  • You should be free to interpret the Bible in the way that seems best to you
  • Differences between the two creation stories (e.g. when humans were created) show they are not supposed to be facts or accurate history
  • The creation stories are myths which are stories with a meaning so they are symbolic to teach us that the world is planned and has a purpose
  • 'Day' in genesis stories just means a long period of time
• Islam Story

  Allah creates heavens and the earth in 6 days - though a day for Allah is like a thousand years of human time

  • Allah creates by saying 'Be'
  • Angels go to earth and bring 7 handfuls of different coloured soils
  • Adam moulded out of soil - Allah breathes life into him and takes him to Paradise
  • Eve created out of Adam's side
  • Angels commanded to bow to Adam but Iblis refuses
  • Adam and Eve put in beautiful garden but Iblis tempt them to eat forbidden fruit
  • They are sent to earth which has been created to provide for them
• Islam Meaning

  • Allah created everything out of nothing. There is nothing beyond his control
  • World is here for a purpose. It is not accidental but a result of God's plan and power
  • Adam was made with different coloured soils - which shows Allah is Lord of all people no matter what colour they may be
  • Humans are the highest of all creation as only they are given the breath of Allah. Even the angels have to bow down to Allah
  • The world is good. It is not a place of punishment but a place specially made to care for humans