The Old Testament of the Bible provides a short history of the Jewish people. These experiences-conquests, slavery, famine, genocide-sharply differentiate the Jews from the Sioux. Although life in the Great Plains was not entirely peaceful, the various tribes of Sioux were never organized into nation states, nor did they develop large urban centers or any major agricultural sites. The Sioux and the Jews were separated by oceans and continents. These two cultures were worlds apart.
However, the Plains Indians of North America and God’s chosen people were closer than you might think. Both cultures were semi monotheistic and believed in an all powerful God. This God actively intervened in worldly affairs, influencing everything from the weather and animal herds to war and trade. This God gave man a special role in the world: he was given power over living things and was encouraged to subdue the world around him.
The creation stories of the Jews and the Sioux are very similar. The Jewish version is summarized by the book of Genesis. Within seven days, God created the universe and everything in it. He forms the Earth populates it with plants and animals. Finally, He creates man, fills him with His spirit and gives him dominion over the new creation.
In the Sioux creation story, one God again creates the heavens and the earth. The main difference between the two is that the Sioux creation story is not anchored within a definite timeline but in directions. North, South, East, West and other directions represent specific facets of creation. Coincidentally, there are seven directions (North, South, East, West, Above, Below and the divine spirit) in the Sioux story, compared with seven days in the Jewish version.
These similarities are striking. Two cultures that are separated by much of the planet independently develop religious beliefs that are analogous to one another. How could this have happened in a world where the fastest communication and transportation was on the back of an animal?
One explanation is that the Sioux and the Jews have two different interpretations of the same truth. Moses composed the book of Genesis. His experiences in Egypt and as the leader of the Jewish people would definitely differentiate his worldview from that of a peasant farmer in southern China. Likewise, the experiences of the Sioux people-the migration from Siberia to North America, tribal life, a nomadic hunter existence-shaped a much different worldview than Moses’. Neither the traditional Jewish creation story or Sioux beliefs are intrinsically wrong; they are the way two very different peoples, using the same information, have tried to explain their existence.
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7 comments:
This was a very detailed report where I learned a lot of information and thought all of your reasons and opinions were all well supported and well based. Your ideas were consistent with both stories and your understanding was very good. this was very well done and a well researched report. Good job Kevan.
Very comprehensive job. Cited well-based facts in comparison between the two cultures. Very interesting and didn't have to second guess any of your information. Good job!
Kevan, After reading your report I had to go back and look to see what the directions were. Not becuase I didn't understand it but becuase you were so specific and went on the say how they were different. Good Job!
Great job Kevan, your comparisons were very detailed and well thought out. I can tell that you researched the topic and thought about it before you posted. great job.
VERY detailed comparison. It looks like you took time to write out every point there was to be made. Good Work!
A lot of detail and organization made this one of the best reports. good work as always kevan
good idea to pick a specific tribe of indians, And also bringing up specific names such as Moses
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