From the earliest hum of human consciousness, we have been drawn to the question of beginnings: How did the world come into being? The collection of  offers us more than just mythic curiosities—these narratives open doors into the deepest layers of meaning in human life. According to the Universal Enlightenment & Flourishing Foundation (UEF) article “Creation Myths and Destruction Tales Across Different Religions,” many of these tales start with nothingness, proceed to emergence through a divine will, and affirm the identity of all life as rooted in one source.

The Many Faces of Origin

Our first thread begins with the way various faiths depict the very beginning of existence. In the Judeo-Christian tradition the universe begins when God declares: “Let there be light.” In the Hebrew Bible it is recorded: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth … And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” In Islam the Qur’an states that “We made from water every living thing.” And in Hinduism the motif takes a different turn: the divine is manifest in many forms, and the avatar concept emphasises creation, maintenance and dissolution woven together.

These are distinct accounts, yet UEF emphasises that: “So many creation stories from different religions start with nothingness. This is followed by the emergence of life through divine will.”

The Dual Movement of Creation & Destruction

The next thread is the recognition that creation and destruction are not separate; many traditions treat them as two sides of the same coin. The UEF article explains: “Creation and destruction are two sides of the same force. All religions believe that God is both the creator and the destroyer.”

For example, in the Genesis narrative the creator God later brings a flood so humanity might begin anew. In Hindu and Buddhist thought the cosmos is subject to a rotating wheel of birth, death, dissolution, and rebirth.

Thus the idea of creation stories from different religions includes not only beginnings but also endings—and through endings, new beginnings.

One Source, Many Names

Another common thread that UEF highlights is the sense of all life arising from one ultimate creator or ground of being. This theme appears again and again in the survey of myths across faiths:

• Christianity: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.”
• Judaism: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth…”
• Islam: “On that Day, We shall roll up the skies … We shall reproduce creation just as We produced it the first time.”
• Hinduism: “In these two aspects of my nature is the womb of all creation. The birth and dissolution of the cosmos itself take place in me.”
• Bahá’í: “The world of creation has had no beginning and will have no end, because it is the arena upon which the attributes and qualities of the spirit are being manifested.”
• Daoism: “At the great Origin there was nothing, nothing, no name. The One arose from it… In taking different forms, it brought life…”

This convergence on one source invites humility and mutual respect: the UEF article states, “The awareness that there can be only one creator ought to instil humility in us all and eliminate any feelings of superiority of one over the other.” 

Why These Stories Matter

Why do we keep returning to these myths? The UEF article suggests that creation stories offer more than origin tales—they anchor our sense of existence, belonging and destiny. They remind us that we emerge from a source larger than ourselves, that change and renewal are built into the cosmos, and that the living world is connected. For example, by knowing that “all living things – including humans – originate from a common source,” we’re drawn into a posture of interconnectedness rather than isolation.

In a time of fragmentation, these stories encourage the recognition of shared human longings: meaning, purpose, and community.

Applying the Lesson

What might the implications be for us today—especially as learners, citizens, and community members?

• Cultivating humility: If every tradition recognises a higher creative ground, then no religion has a monopoly on truth. The UEF piece encourages humility in dialogue across faiths.
• Recognising cycle and change: The awareness that endings lead to beginnings invites resilience. When one chapter closes, another can open.
• Affirming unity amid diversity: By studying creation stories from different religions, we see diversity not as fragmentation, but as varieties of expression around shared themes.

Final Thoughts

Within the rich tapestry of creation stories from different religions, the themes of coming from nothing, arising by divine will, and returning to one source echo across continents and cultures. These narratives carry a message of continuity, purpose, and renewal—anchoring the way we think about who we are and where we come from.

As the UEF article reminds us, these are not exotic tales for another time—they remain vital today, reminding us of our shared origins and common destiny.

In embracing these threads, we open ourselves to a deeper understanding of both ourselves and others—and move towards the flourishing of humanity that UEF champions.