Argument Against God's Existence Flashcards
What is the Big Bang Theory?
The universe began from a singularity 13 .7 billion years ago
It underwent rapid, hot expansion and is still expanding today
As the universe cooled stars, planets and galaxies started the form
Some physicists suggest the universe could be self-causing
What are the problems with the big bang theory?
Since the universe had a beginning it must have a cause-this must be God
since time and space began the big bang (the cause of the universe) must be a timeless, transcendent being-this must be God
Who is the key thinker in the theory of evolution by natural selection?
Charles Darwin
What is the theory of evolution by natural selection?
Organisms that have adapted and changed to their environment over long periods of time (survival of the fittest)
given enough time, natural selection can give rise to new species
What are the problems of the theory of evolution and by natural selection?
Evolution could be a part of God’s design-nature has been set up to produce complex beings through natural selection
How does the theory of evolution by natural selection challenge the belief in design?
It provides evidence that things have adapted to become more complex
does not require the belief in a designer to explain complexity
Who is Richard Dawkins and what did he say?
He is a blind watchmaker and that evolution and has no planning/foresight
What is the natural evil?
Suffering that is not due to human actions e.g. natural disasters
What is moral evil?
Suffering caused by human actions e.g. murder, rape, genocide
What is the logical problem of evil (inconsistent triad)?
If God is all-powerful he would be able to stop suffering
if God is all loving he would want to stop suffering
but exist so either God is not all-powerful, not all loving, or he doesn’t exist at all
What is the evidential problem of evil?
The more evidence that is of intense and pointless evil in the world the less likely it is that God exists
What are theodicies?
Attempt to explain why God allows evil to exist
What are some examples of theodicies?
Evil is down to human free will
natural evil is a punishment for the sin of Adam and Eve
evil can help us to grow and develop (soul-making)
evil is due to Satan
