1. Flashcards
What is agnosticism
Being unsure as to whether God exists
What is atheism
Non belief in God
What do Christians believe in about God (3 pointers)
He is omnipotent
Omni benevolent
Omniscient
Created the world
Answers prayers and can perform miracles
List the 4 reasons saying why atheists do not believe In God
Science - explains how the world was made
No physical proof of gods existence
Miracles can be explained as coincidences or science
Evil and suffering prove that an all loving God can not exist
Why are some people agnostic
Agnostics are unsure about gods existence as there is no evidence for or against Gods existence
List two reasons why Christians raise their families in the Christian church
They believe it is their duty to marry have children and raise them within the Christian faith
Christians believe their religion gives the children a secure basis and helps them through difficulties in their life
How do Christian families encourage their children to believe in God (6 points) Baptism Parents examples Community School Worship Confirmation
Baptism - a child is welcomed into the Christian faith and is supported by the family and friends who attend the meeting
Worship - children can attend Sunday school and church and Christian festivals like Pentecost to learn about Jesus and
Christian teachings
Confirmation - a child can renew their vows made for them in baptism but here they are old enough to decide for themselves
Community - young Christians can meet with other Christians in groups such as bible study or youth clubs also young adults are encouraged to meet partners in the church community
School - Christians can choose to go to a church school where here they can learn about Christianity
Parents examples - children can see their parents praying reading the bible and attending church so they will believe it is right and believe it
What’s a numinous experience
A experience that amazes and inspires awe and wonder it gives the feeling of a being greater than oneself
Give an example of a numinous experience
SUNSET 🌇
What’s a conversion
An experience that causes a person to change their belief, ideas or a lifestyle for example an atheist could become a Christian
Give an example of a conversion
Saul was a Christian prosecutor but became a Christian
What is prayer
A method of communicating with God either to show gratitude, forgiveness , thank him and praise him
What is a miracle
An act of God that appears to be impossible as it goes against the laws of nature it’s usually performed for a religious reason
Give example of a miracle
Feeding of 5,000
Give an overview of the design argument
Design is s result of intelligent thought > the world has evidence of design (ozone layer etc) > someone intelligent must have designed it > therefore go exists
What is William paleys argument
A watch is a complex object that shows it has a intelligent designer
It has been carefully put together so it must have had a designer
So it is similar to the world as it has been carefully put together with gravity and wildlife
So the earth must have had a designer
List two arguments against design
We can’t prove gods existence just by saying he may have designed it
The appearance of design may have been the result of evolution
What is evolution
The idea that species have developed gradually over millions of years, for some evolution may suggest the appearance of design
What’s causation
The belief that everything has a cause ( everything happens for a reason )
Give an overview of the causation argument
Nothing happens by itself
Everything that happens is caused by something else
The universe could not have been created by itself
A powerful cause would have been needed to cause the universe
This cause had to be God
God exists
What’s another name for the cosmological argument
Is the Thomas Aquinas’ theory
What did Thomas Aquinas argue
Thomas aqua I as argued that everything that happened had a cause and that the cause of the universe was God , however GOd did not need a cause as he was an unmoved moved as he was the beginning : ‘ in the beginning was the word and the word was God’
What is the BiG BAnG theory
This is the idea they an enormous explosion started the universe around 15 Billion years ago
List 4 arguments against the causation argument
- it can’t be proved
- it doesn’t mean that the universe has to have a cause despite everything else
- there are other possible causes of the universe such as the Big Bang theory
- if everything had a cause, what caused God?
What is evolution
Darwins theory of the gradual development of species over millions of years
What is natural selection
The way in which species naturally select the characteristics for survival
Give 2 reasons as to how science answers the question
Is there a God?
Science offers evidence that can be seen and tested whereas God cannot be seen or proven in the same way
Science offers alternative explanations of how the world and humans came to exist with no reference to God
List 3 Christian responses to scientific explanations about the world
The Bible is description of the creation of the world is more of a story
The six days of creation were stages not actual periods of time
Science describes how the world came to exist in the bible explains why
What are creationists
Christians that believe scientific explanations of the world are wrong because they conflict with what is written in the bible
List 3 problems with unanswered prayers
Prayers are communication with God people might think God is not listening
Many people who have pain in there lives pray to God but if God does nothing people may feel their prayers have been unanswered
Unanswered prayers may lead to Christians to question their belief
List 4 Christian responses to unanswered prayers
God does not answer selfish prayers
They may feel God is ignoring them
That what they are praying for is not part of gods divine plan
That God does not always answer prayers in the way we expect if hope for therefore they should persevere
Define moral evil
Actions carried out by humans that cause suffering
Give three examples of moral evil
Rape
Murder
Theft
Give three example of natural evil
Famine
Disease
Hurricane
What is natural evil
Thugs that cause suffering but humans have no control over
What does evil and suffering question people to believe in
Gods existence
& that God is omniscient omni benevolent omnipotent
What does the bible say about evil and suffering (3)
Genesis says that God created a perfect world
Adam and Eve use their free will in the garden of Eden to disobey God which allowed evil and suffering to enter to the world
Christians believe God sent Jesus to words to overcome the evil in the world and die for the sins of humanity on the cross
List four reasons under Christian explanations of evil and suffering
Free will
Test from God
Gods plan
Following Jesus examples
List for Christian responses to evil and suffering
Trying to give them hope and courage
Helping others for examples becoming a doctor so I could help others cope with suffering
Volunteering with the charity to support others when they are suffering
Strengthen their faith with the knowledge of God has a plan for them
What is free will
The idea that humans are free to make their own choices
Where can the media present religion
Radio newspapers films and TV is
List something positive under the medias effect and attitudes to belief in God
Some religious programs show how religion can benefit the life of an individual and how it can be a positive thing
List something negative under the medias effect and attitudes to belief in God
Some religious programs can portray religion are something to laugh at and ridicule or question gods existence they may suggest religious believers I crazy or that there is something wrong with being religious
