Teaching About Religion: Compare Beginnings

Beginnings

NONRELIGIOUS Worldview

There is a scientific view of the beginning of our universe. (This
understanding continues to advance as science progresses and new data
are obtained.)

Recent portrayal. Evidence from science indicates that at a distant point in
time all matter was located at a tiny point source of energy/matter, which
“exploded” into a series of events/materials that resulted in our current
universe (a physical event popularly described as the “big bang”).
Observation, for example of the movement of celestial bodies clearly
indicates they are all moving away from each other, supports the worldview.

BUDDHIST Worldview

The Creation is cyclical, having no start and no end. For Buddhists, it is part
of the wheel of suffering to which we are attached through re-birth. Creation
is seen as just part of this wheel.

CHRISTIAN Worldview

All that exists does so through God who began creation at a definite point in
time and who will end creation. God created from nothing and all that he
creates has purpose and meaning.

HINDU Worldview

Creation is cyclical. From the destruction of a previous universe, Brahma
arises to create a new universe; Vishnu sustains it through a cycle of birth,
growth and decline; Shiva destroys the universe and the cycle begins again.

MUSLIM Worldview

Allah (God) is the creator. He simply says “Be” and all things exist. Allah
guides his creation and has a purpose for all forms of life within creation.

JEWISH Worldview

God is the creator and the Book of Genesis says he created in six days and
rested on the seventh. God will end creation in his own time.

SIKH Worldview

God is the creator of all; so all life is good. Attachment to this world means
rebirth, so that release from this world is the highest goal.

TAO Worldview

Creation as an event is not of great importance. There are various stories. In
essence, the twin forces of yin and yang were created from nothing rather
than by any being, and from these twin forces come all life.

DEIST Worldview (of historical interest)

Human reason, addressed to the laws of nature, yields the conclusion that
there must have been a creation event, but that the Creator who established
those natural laws (Supreme Lawmaker) must also abide by them and
hence remain apart from the product of creation. The Creator is not involved
in the ongoing universe or in present-day natural or human affairs.