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Being without Story

Nearly every ancient civilization had creation stories. These stories weren’t usually so interested in where the “stuff” around us came from, they were usually more interested in “what is it for”.

The creation story of the Hebrews found in their Scriptures in Genesis chapter one says that this world is good and it was made for its makers enjoyment and glory.

We moderns live in a strange time where we have an account of the material origins of the universe without a story about what it is for. The implicit message of this universe absent a story to give it meaning is that we can give it anyone we choose. We can decide what life is for or what the universe is for because we are the only creatures with a large enough brain to be able to create stories. We make meaning.

When peoples with creation stories engage people without them many atheists will declare that they also have see morality, meaning and wonder. The problem with all of those people who have stories rooting in their religions or ethnic ancestry is that they are too rigid and these stories become grounds for fighting.  Continue reading →