Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Nanabozhoo - the short version

What would be gained or what would be lost by making Nanabozhoo your creation myth?

I figure I wouldn't gain or lose much by switching creation figures, no more than when I switched from creationism to evolution.  As a believer in science, evolution makes the most sense.  Nanabozhoo is a variation of the creationist "mythology".  Nanabozhoo seems to be a combination of the roles Jesus, Adam, and God play in Catholicism.   Jesus was born of a woman and a spirit, as is Nanabozhoo.  Adam names all the plants and animals, just as Nanabozhoo.  God created the world, as does Nanabozhoo.  Nanabozhoo is used as a teacher figure within his stories, while Jesus tells stories.  The curious thing is that Jesus never uses himself within his stories always other, generic people.  Perhaps Nanabozhoo is a more relatable figure, because he makes mistakes and he isn't perfect?  Then again, does society want to listen to someone less than perfect?

I don't have my book with me, so I can't make many more "justifications", only speculate on the similarities.

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