Delightful combinations can be made in our minds with the things that we experience and common characteristics that are observed. A person can also make an ordered accounting of what things belong to what classifications. In a library, it makes finding books easier. Vehicles will belong to certain manufacturers and are classified according to their size, speed, power and quality. Words are used such as genre and species for living things. These words can also be applied loosely to music and art. In modern times we know quite a few more particulars about what is observed, therefore their characteristics, combinations and relationships have increased also. The question that arises when we look at common characteristics is their origins. A person might ask who the parents are when a youth is exceptional or a criminal. A vehicle will have a VIN number that gives the factory of origin as do most things that are manufactured. They will have commonalities due to their origins. Ancient people saw common traits they admired and ascribed the origin of the exceptional ones to gods. Polytheistic religions became common since certain traits were ascribed to certain Gods. The Greeks perfected this using mythology written in an orderly fashion. Monotheistic religions ascribe the origin of all these traits to one God.

A recent story of origins is one about the sudden appearance of a fully functioning single cell through a zap of electricity. This cell instantly had the ability to reproduce itself too. And then after billions of years passed, it kept picking up better traits each time it reproduced. Soon there were two that came up with the idea that they could exchange DNA and the story continues with pairs reproducing. Not only is this a nonsensical story when compared to what we know, but it doesn’t really have much romance or goodness either. At the time this story came about, there was a fascination with microscopes and living single-celled bacteria and organisms. It is common for every generation to use these kind of associations to explain things they cannot find answers to. Today the word “theory” is used for these associations instead of the word “folklore” to make the believers feel grounded in science. When one leaves behind all the folklore about origins that use material things such as mountains, and celestial objects such as the sun and the moon, all that remains viable is a super being or god that set the stage for all living things.

Cultures always have their heroes and gods. Greek mythology is enjoyable to read as are Viking legends. We make associations between things we know to be true and how we wish things were. Categories are made where behaviors that produce good things can be called virtues and those that are detrimental can be called vices. We desire to make a world that contains only virtue and love for one another. As long as there is vice and wickedness, we see that those who want a good life have to defend it. We also beg for redemption for the shortcomings within ourselves. A belief that would have the most viability when it is compared to what we know about love and virtue would follow parallels to what is seen as ultimate in virtue and love. The the all-encompassing love of mothers and fathers toward their own children is something a good story should contain. It would start with a God who is a father who loves us as his own children and wants to redeem us despite our shortcomings. A mother who bears a son with a certain sadness about what he will go through to willingly fulfill his father’s wish to eliminate guilt and to give everyone access to his love eternally. A story where virtue and love win the day. A belief system to be formed that is based in giving rather than earning merit. The best way to start this story would be to introduce into this frail world the gift of a son who is human and yet God.