Religion as we know it: An origin story. What are the main elements in the origin stories of different religions?

The origin stories give followers a sense of identity. For example, Jews identify with the story of Moses leading them out of Egypt. It makes them feel part of a long - standing community.

In Christianity, God is seen as the eternal and all - powerful creator. He exists outside of time and space and created the universe and everything in it out of nothing. In Greek mythology, the origin of the gods often involves chaos giving birth to primordial deities like Gaia (the earth) and Uranus (the sky), and from their union and subsequent generations, the other gods came to be.

One more example is Zoroastrianism. It is one of the world's oldest religions, originating in ancient Persia (now Iran) around the 2nd millennium BC. It was founded by the prophet Zoroaster. Its teachings revolve around the battle between good (Ahura Mazda) and evil (Angra Mainyu). These origin stories play a significant role in shaping the beliefs, practices and cultures associated with each religion.

In Buddhism, death is also part of the cycle of existence. The Buddha taught that all things are impermanent, and death is a natural consequence of this impermanence. By understanding the nature of suffering, impermanence, and non - self, one can break free from the cycle of birth and death. Buddhist teachings encourage people to live mindfully and strive for enlightenment to overcome the cycle.

The origin story of Etruscan religion is rooted in the ancient Etruscan civilization. They believed in a host of deities. It seems to have emerged from the very fabric of their society, as their religious beliefs were intertwined with their daily lives, governance, and art. Their religion was not just about worshiping gods but also about understanding the will of the gods through various means like reading animal entrails or the flight patterns of birds. This shows that it was a complex and all - encompassing system that grew over time within their own cultural context.

In Christianity, the origin story of Jesus' sacrifice influences the central belief of salvation through faith in him. This is reflected in practices like communion, which commemorates his last supper. In Islam, the origin with Muhammad receiving revelations led to the five pillars of Islam being fundamental practices. For example, the daily prayers are a direct connection to the religious teachings from the origin.

In a zombie origin story, there can be elements related to human hubris. Humans often try to play god, like in the case of genetic engineering gone wrong. Then there's the element of contagion. Whether it's a slow - spreading curse or a fast - acting virus, how it spreads is crucial. And finally, there's the world - building aspect. How does the world react to the first zombies? Are they hidden away at first or do they immediately start causing chaos? In a post - apocalyptic zombie origin story, the world - building shows how society crumbles in the face of the zombie threat.

The Jehovah's Witnesses trace their origins back to the late 19th century. Charles Taze Russell was a key figure in its early development. He started Bible study groups and published religious literature that formed the basis of many of their beliefs. His ideas attracted followers who were interested in a more literal interpretation of the Bible and a different view of Christian eschatology compared to mainstream Christian denominations.

The origin of Ancient Egyptian religion is complex. It was deeply intertwined with the Nile River. The regular flooding of the Nile was seen as a gift from the gods. Their religion likely emerged from the early tribes' attempts to explain natural phenomena. For example, the sun's daily journey was personified in the god Ra. They also had beliefs related to the afterlife which developed over time. The early Egyptians worshiped many deities associated with nature, like Horus, the sky god, and Isis, a goddess with many aspects related to fertility and motherhood.

Well, some scholars suggest that the concept of a single, all-powerful God originated from the need for a unifying force in societies facing various challenges and seeking stability and moral guidance.