Questions: Which of the following is a common element or purpose of creation stories? To explain who will be rewarded in the afterlife To provide information on proper moral conduct To explain the origin and nature of humanity To explain why God exists

The answer is: To explain the origin and nature of humanity.

Explanation for each option:

1. To explain who will be rewarded in the afterlife:

   • This is not typically a common element of creation stories. Creation stories generally focus on the beginnings of the world and humanity rather than detailing the criteria for afterlife rewards, which is more often covered in religious texts or doctrines.

2. To provide information on proper moral conduct:

   • While some creation stories may include elements that touch on moral conduct, this is not their primary purpose. Moral conduct is usually addressed in other parts of religious or cultural texts, such as commandments, laws, or parables.

3. To explain the origin and nature of humanity:

   • This is a common element of creation stories. These narratives often describe how the world and human beings came into existence, detailing the process of creation and the nature of humanity. Examples include the Genesis creation story in the Bible, which explains how God created the world and the first humans, Adam and Eve, and the Enuma Elish, a Babylonian creation myth that describes the creation of the world and humanity.

4. To explain why God exists:

   • Creation stories typically do not focus on explaining the existence of God or gods. Instead, they often assume the existence of a deity or deities and focus on their actions in creating the world and humanity. The existence of God or gods is usually taken as a given within these narratives.