Arguments for the Existence of God - ‘The Value for Religious Faith’

Question 1

Explain how the DA and CA provide reasoning

Answer 1

• It gives thiests intellect support on which to base their faith
• Arguments are based on natural theology (existence of God can be suggested from observation and reasoning)
• It’s A posteriori, so experience is at its centre

Question 2

Explain how the DA and CA provide simplicity

Answer 2

If a theist/agnostic is unsure, it provides a basis for belief - this can be linked to Occam’s razor and Swinburne

Question 3

Explain how the DA and CA provide and indication to God’s nature

Answer 3

If an individual understands God, they’re more inclined to worship him based on his characteristics/attributes

Question 4

Explain how the DA and CA adopts a cumulative approach

Answer 4

If you find the arguments to be worthy and good, you can add them together, you will be left with a stronger set of arguments - each argument supports one another

Question 5

List the 4 ways that the arguments for the existence of God provide value for religious faith

Answer 5

1. Provide reasoning
2. They’re simple
3. They offer and indication into God’s nature
4. They adopt a cumulative approach

Question 6

List the four ways the arguments for the existence of God do not provide value for religious faith

Answer 6

1. Requires a ‘leap of faith’
2. DA and CA are a posteriori and inductive
3. DA and CA cannot prove the existence of God
4. DA and CA are weak, cumulative will not work

Question 7

Explain how the arguments for the existence of God adopts is linked to ‘a leap of faith’

Answer 7

Belief doesn’t depend on probability/proof, depends on commitment to God and way of religious life (fiedism)

Question 8

Explain how the arguments for the existence of God is linked to being a posteriori and inductive

Answer 8

The DA and CA are a posteriori and inductive meaning they only lead to a probable conclusion unlike the OA

Question 9

Explain how the arguments for the existence of God is linked to Karl Barth

Answer 9

The DA and CA cannot prove existence of God, Barth rejected attempts to prove God’s existence, he believed God can only be know. through Jesus Christ, as revealed in scripture.

Question 10

Explain how the arguments for the existence of God are considered being weak due to the idea of ‘cumulative’

Answer 10

Flew suggested that collecting weak arguments together doesn’t make a strong one, it is almost as if you collect 10 leaky buckets, it doesn’t mean they will collect water