Creation myths

[Wicket]

Is it possible that life on earth goes in a cycle - we (or human like creatures) evolve along roughly the same lines and then are wiped out, usually by an asteroid that strikes when we are quite advanced and sophisticated as a race? (Asteroids strike at fairly regular intervals I think).

In our consciousness are 'memories' of these cataclysmic events and we work these into creation myths and stories. Noah and his flood in Christianity is similar to other parables/stories from other religions.

Revelations contains references to what could be seen as an asteroid strike or similar.

Just some thoughts.

[Vulcanl]

I think that life on Earth does indeed go in cycles and we primates happen to be masters of this World at the moment (whereas for example reptiles dominated at one point).

As for creation myths and stories I think that the reason there tend to be similarities across cultures is that death and rebirth are universal concepts throughout the Cosmos, with subtle differences here and there.

The book of Revelations and other prophecies such as those of Nostradamus continue to have their adherents precisely because of these universal themes (the eternal conflict between good and evil, apocalyptic destruction, evil leaders that bring this destruction, etc).  People latch on to such and interpret them to events in their own lifetime (because events like this occur frequently during just about any generation).

[so what]

What exactly is the hypothesis?

A) A cataclysmic event wipes out the complete population. In that case there is no consciousness to pass on to a next generation.

B) A cataclysmic event causes mass extinction, leaving some of the population to survive, who then pass on their experience to next generations. Over time the experience will then branch out into different interpretations (or myths).

Evolution teaches that if case B happens often enough, the species might evolve an "astroid impact resistance". Or, if together with the species, technology too survives, a new generation at some point will develop the technology that can divert astroids from their course, making sure earth will never be hit again. Either way, the cycle will be broken.

[jack705]

I do not think like that, it is just myth & beyond from reality, the creation of Universe & human being on Earth is mystery yet.The above mention theory is baseless & lack any scientific proof.

[hsgreenb]

What exactly is the hypothesis?

A) A cataclysmic event wipes out the complete population. In that case there is no consciousness to pass on to a next generation.

That's working with a fairly narrow view of "consciousness."

There is SO much we don't know and will never know in our lifetime. 

I believe all understanding is a matter of projection of self so knowledge of self is the root.  Through effort in that direction, I sense unprovable truth in my gut.

As we understand things currently, everything has a beginning & an end; however, one of the questions I struggle with is whether or not there was an original point where there was nothing and, if not, how did that original something (from which everything subsquent derived) come to be?

[scarbowl]

I sometimes listen to a (now deceased) radio pastor named J. Vernon McGee.  He was a biblical scholar and interpreter, so to speak.  Not like the "ministers" you now hear on the airwaves.  His was scholarly.

He would sometimes entertain questions and a writer asked him whether he believed there was life on other planets and, if so, was Jesus their savior as well.

His response was that there could well be life on other planets as we have no idea what God intended in his universe.  And that Jesus was the savior on Earth, he appeared in human form, but the Bible doesn't specify this for any other planet.  So he wouldn't be the Christ figure elsewhere.. 

I must be from another planet.