Arguments AGAINST God’s Existence

Question 1

Scientific Explanations of the world

Answer 1

Science can explain how the universe began without the need for God e.g. the Big Bang says how the universe began and Evolution explains where animals and humans came from.

Question 2

Christian response to science

Answer 2

1. Science is true but God controlled the process e.g. not strictly due to chance.
2. Science and the Bible are correct. Main points fit e.g. 7 days of creation could be 7 periods of time.
3. Science is wrong! God made world look older Apparent Age Theory

Question 3

Unanswered Prayers

Answer 3

God not answering ‘good’ prayers e.g. end poverty, cure cancer…

Question 4

Problem of Evil

Answer 4

Moral evil- actions done by humans which cause suffering

Natural evil- things which cause suffering but have nothing to do with humans, e.g. earthquakes

Question 5

Christians believe God is all-powerful, all-loving and all-knowing so evil should not exist. Because evil does exist it leads to a number of possibilities:

Answer 5

1) God is simply not powerful enough to stop evil;
2) God does not know that it is happening;
3) God simply does not love us enough to want to stop the evil.
Christians tell us that he can do all of these things SO God does not exist otherwise he would stop evil!

Question 6

In responding to the problems of evil and suffering, Christians follow the teachings and actions of Jesus, who taught his followers to:

Answer 6

• PRAYER: (asking God to help those who are suffering - this type of prayer is called intercession and is found in nearly all types of Christian worship).
• SERVICE: (Actively helping those who suffer) many Christians help in hospitals and hospices, organise food and clothing for homeless in the UK, raise many to help less developed countries, etc. Some set up charities such as the ‘Children’s Society’ to help children from broken homes.