1b How do religions make sense of the world



1bf: Sikhism and Science [pic]

Lesson 1: Creation from a Sikh viewpoint

Creation from a Sikh Viewpoint

Sikhs believe that the universe and everything in it was created by God:

“There is one God…He is creator of all things, the all-pervading spirit.” Guru Granth Sahib

According to Sikh belief, the universe is an emanation of God. For reasons known only to God, the decision was made to bring the universe into existence. Before this time there was nothing except God. Unlike other religions, Sikhism does not have a creation story which explains exactly how God created the world – the precise details of creation are left as a mystery.

The Sikh holy books describe the universe as a vast and expanding place. It includes limitless galaxies that are filled with stars and planets. These have all emanated from God’s mind and they are held in place by God’s will:

“There are planets, solar systems and galaxies.

If one speaks of them, there is no limit, no end.

There are worlds upon worlds of His Creation.

As He commands, so they exist.” Guru Granth Sahib

As well as being the creator of the world, Sikhs also see God as the sustainer. his means that every moment of the world’s existence depends on God. Sikhs believe that the presence of God is in all things:

“The True Lord reveals Himself through His Nature.” Guru Granth Sahib

Without the all-pervading spirit of God the universe would cease to exist. Sikhs are thankful that God supports the universe in this way but know that ultimately the universe will be reabsorbed into God:

“When the Creator became manifest all creatures of the earth assumed various shapes. But when you draw creation within yourself, all embodied things are absorbed in you.” Guru Gobind Singh

The Jewish and Christian Creation Story

The beliefs of many Jews and Christians about the origins of the universe are both based on the first chapter of the book of Genesis, which starts with the words:

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Before God created the universe there was nothing: “The earth was formless and empty...”. The rest of the creation story describes how God created the world in six days before resting on the seventh.

On the first day, God said “Let there be light” and he separated light from darkness, calling light ‘Day’ and darkness ‘Night’.

On the second day, God said “Let there be an expanse between the waters” and he called the expanse ‘sky’.

On the third day, God said “Let the water under the sky come together in one place, and let dry land appear” and he called the waters ‘sea’ and the land ‘Earth’. He also said “Let the land produce vegetation, seed-bearing plants and trees that bear fruit”.

On the fourth day, God created the sun, moon and stars when he said “Let there be lights in the sky to separate day from night and to serve as signs to mark seasons, days and years”.

On the fifth day, God said “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth.” He told the fish of the sea and the birds of the sky to multiply on the earth.

On the sixth day, God said “Let the land produce living creatures, domestic and wild, large and small.” He also created human beings, male and female, in his own image and gave them power over the natural world. He told them: “Have many children, so your descendants will live all over the earth and bring it under their control. I am putting you in charge of the fish, birds and wild animals. I have provided all kinds of grains and fruits for you to eat.”

On the seventh day, having completed his creation of the universe, God stopped working and rested. He blessed the seventh day and set it apart as a special day.

Jews remember and honour God’s creation of the universe each week on the Sabbath.

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