I need help with the mythology essay

The book of Genesis according to Scott Leonard and Michael McClure’s, “Myth & Knowing - An Introduction to World Mythology”, highlights many different factors that have influenced society, as we know it. Many of which have had a positive impact on modern society and how some choose to live their life everyday. Though there are various accounts on how the Genesis myth has affected modern society negatively, as one passage reads, “ I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth” (Leonard and McClure 89). The positives and benefits from the impact Genesis has made on society outweigh those negatives. Even for those who are not Christians or have a chosen faith.

Genesis is similar to most other myths in regards to having a God or creator, which people can relate to and see contrasts to make a determination whether or not one wants to believe. In this process most will always gravitate towards the positive aspects of the myth and is why Genesis is the most powerful. “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him” (Leonard and McClure 88), is a statement that generates the feeling that most people want, which is companionship. Not only for the love or sex, but more so to have someone to experience life with. Loneliness is the driving factor for depression and by God providing a mate shows that he or she has heart and knows the emptiness loneliness creates. This need for companionship is still growing today and continues to become a positive player in one’s life and in our communities, and ultimately has helped us build the thriving communities we have today.

Another factor to look at is the fact that we do not live in a perfect world; therefore consequences are inevitable for some of the choices made by man. A great example of this was Adam and Eve who were punished for going against God’s simple commands. The verse “ cursed is the ground because of you; and you shall eat of it all the days of your life” (Leonard and McClure 89), sheds light on the fact that even the smallest bad mistakes can have an everlasting affect on life. Thus causing one to think before acting or devise a plan that will not disrupt nature or break simple rules that have been proven in the past to be detrimental to society if broken. This lesson learned in Genesis has proven to be a powerful means of showing that nature is and will always be more powerful, no matter who or what one chooses to believe in. This lesson from Genesis does not go into great detail about exactly how or why an apple is so important, but it does illustrate what can happen if one chooses to test forbidden ground, and that means if it gives life, do not destroy it. In other words, this lesson has created the motivation to take care of Mother Nature, earth.

There are those who might argue that Genesis leaves out too many details as to why certain events happened the way they did, is God by himself, and that everything mentioned is just a fact of life. Which is the main point behind Genesis, it is the unknown that keeps people wondering and exploring. God gave the gift of choice and imagination and these became lessons. Lessons that as humans we use everyday to create new avenues or thoughts and why we are the superior beings on earth.

To choose whether the Genesis creation myth is more positive than negative is virtually impossible. Especially when there are so many different ways to view the lessons within. These lessons have withstood the test of time and have demonstrated positive impacts on the lives of people. The fact that Genesis has so many underlying positive motives illustrates that it was meant to bring people together through accountability, community, work, and perseverance. Adam and Eve did not stop living because of a mistake and these mistakes would not have been known if there were not rules, and these rules have helped us all grow.