1.6 belief uncertainty and unbelief Flashcards
what is agnoticism and atheism
agnoticism
- not being sure if God exists
atheism
- the belief that god does not exist
what are the two arguements that point to gods existence?
- cosmological arguement, by
Thomas Aquinad and Wilhelm Leibnez - theleological Arguement by
Rev. William Paley
Describe the cosmological arguements
- thomas aquinad
argued there mhst be a first uncaused cause
- says everything in the universe has a cause, nothing can cause itself
- there cannot be an infinite set of causes going back in time forever
- therefore there must ve a first cause of UNCAUSED CAUSED which itself is outside of time, GOD
- Wilhelm Leibnez
argued there must be an ultimate reason
- science tells us everything has an explanation therefore the universe must have an explanation
- the only explanation for the universe is an uncaused cause, God
Describe Teleological Arguement
- associated with Rev. William Paley who put it forward in his 1802 book Natural Theology
- universe looks to have the characteristics of something that has been designed as it is complex as a function or purpose, and it would be difficult to explain in terms of chance, or accidental progress. Therefore, it must have been created.
analogy of the watchmaker
- uses the watch as it is so similar to the world, well designed and seem to have a designer.
- uses an analogy of an old fashioned watch with tremendously complex movement of cogs
Describe the meaninmg and purpose of life based on Immanuel Kant
-put forward an arguement for gods existence, that is about meaning and purpose in life
- we feel a sense of obligation to be moral, to aim for the highest standard of morsl behaviour
- there are lots of people in this world who prosper, even though they don’t care about being moral them. You will enjoy doing what they know to be wrong.
- so why do most of us bother to try to be good?
- Kant says it is because we know in the end goodness must be rewarded, but if we know this, then it must be rewarded in the next life there must be a God to ensure that the world is fair and the goodness will be rewarded
- God must exist. Otherwise life would be meaningless and unfair.
What is the role of a christian family
- to fove love towards chuldren
- supporr and strengthen the religious faith of the children
1. regular church attendance
2. praying together
3. setting an example
4. involvement in Church life
5. by talking to them about questions regarding religion
What does the Christian faith say of family?
- christian church teaches that the family is a vital way in which children are taught their faith
- The book of proverbs, bring your children in the ways of the Lord, and when they are old, they will not depart from it
What are the different religious experiences?
- Numinous Experience
- a person senses Gods presence or existence
- a person feels they are in hte presence of something magnificent and powerful
- first hand experience with God - Miraculous Experience
- result of an event tsking place that goes beyond the normal laws of science
- therefore cannot ve explained by anything other than the intervention or workings of something beyond the world - Conversion Experience
- someones life is converted or changed, being born again
- involves a person changing their life for the better after having felt or experienced the presence of God or another christian figure - Prayer Experience
- a specific prayer is answered, in a way that means someone believees in God or has their faith strengthened
- the feeling that God has listened and answered ur prayers
What are some reasons people dont believe in God
- Scientific explanations of the world, wirhout reference from God
HUMAN ENVIRONMENT
- god was an invention of humans when they were in fear of their environment
- Religion was developed as a response to things that made humans fearful
HUMAN AND MEDICINE
- medical advances in the last 100 years - NON RELIGIOUS UPBRINGING
- parents who do not believe in god may well have a similarly powerful effect on their childrens belief systems
- a lack of interest in religion and religious ideas or even hostility towards religion
- the medias coverage of religious issues and religious people may re inforce this process - Unanswered Prayers
- prayers can be defined as an attempt to contact God usually through words
- some say their prayers in church or at home but never feels gods presence when they prey
- nake them feel they arent praying correctly or that THERE IS NO GOD LISTENING TO THEM
- no feeling of presence of god when they pray may make them question whether god is there at all
how do christians respond ot scientific explanations of the origin of the universe
read section 1.6 too lazy for this
