Believing in God

Question 1

Design argument? (For God)

Answer 1

William Paley- watch tiny with many mechanisms, made by someone clever, could not be an accident. Only possible designer of universe is God so He must exist.

Question 2

Causation argument? (For God)

Answer 2

Things don’t happen by themselves. Egg smash- cause drop, effect smash. If universe has a beginning, something must have caused it, did not happen by accident- so something caused it (God) and brought it into existence.

Question 3

Scientific explanation of world? (Against God)

Answer 3

Big Bang- how universe began. Evolution- where animals and humans came from. Not answering ‘good prayers’ (for poverty). Moral evil (from humans) Natural evil (earthquakes). If God all-loving- be no evil- He would stop evil.

Question 4

Christian response to Evil?

Answer 4

God gave people free will. Life is a test (determines whether they go to heaven or hell. He has reasons for letting evil happen- human can never understand the mind of God.

Question 5

Christian methods of response to evil and suffering?

Answer 5

Prayer- asking God to help sufferers- (called intercession).
Service- actively helping sufferers- hospital, homeless, less developed countries. E.g. Children society for children with broken homes.

Question 6

(Media question) How does Bruce Almighty support God’s existence?

Answer 6

Even with God’s powers Bruce messes up. God’s existence never questioned- real from start. Shows problems of free will- bad things happen from bad decisions. Shows God hears all prayers and only responds to some.

Question 7

(Media question) how does Bruce Almighty not support God’s existence?

Answer 7

He answers Bruce’s prayer but why not help others. Mocks miracles in bible (walking on water). Shows God in human form- Christians believe God is everywhere. God is all- powerful but Bruce given the powers, not possible as there’s no equal to God.

Question 8

(Media question) how big questions supports God’s existence.

Answer 8

Evolution may have wired us to believe in God. Unless there is a God we have no foundation for morality. Evolution doesn’t explain acts of selfishness.

Question 9

(Media question) big questions against God’s existence?

Answer 9

Questions whether there is any evidence for God. God is an idea created by humans to answer certain needs. Belief in God no longer necessary as science explains.

Question 10

Agnosticism? (Remember the word ‘no’ as in ‘not knowing’).

Answer 10

Not being sure whether God exists.

Question 11

Atheism?

Answer 11

Believing God doesn’t exist.

Question 12

Theism?

Answer 12

Believing God does exist.

Question 13

Prayer?

Answer 13

An attempt to contact God, usually through words.

Question 14

Omnibenevolent?

Answer 14

Belief God is good/kind.

Question 15

Omnipotent?

Answer 15

Belief God is all powerful.

Question 16

Omniscient?

Answer 16

Belief God knows everything that’s happened and everything that’s going to happen.

Question 17

Conversion?

Answer 17

Life changed by giving yourself to God.

Question 18

Miracle?

Answer 18

Breaks law of science and makes you think only God behind it.

Question 19

Numinous?

Answer 19

Feeling of presence of something greater than you. E.g. In Church or looking up at stars.

Question 20

Free will?

Answer 20

Idea that humans free to make own choices.

Question 21

Moral evil?

Answer 21

Actions done by humans which cause suffering.

Question 22

Natural evil?

Answer 22

Things that cause suffering, but nothing to do with humans. (Earthquakes).

Question 23

Christian upbringing and how supports belief in God?

Answer 23

Baptised. Taught to pray and go to church. Celebrate Easter and Xmas. Sunday school.
Surrounded by others who are convinced God exists. Handed down generations- perfectly natural to believe in it. Learning about it at home, school, church could lead to people being convinced God must exist.

Question 24

How can religious experience convince people God exists?

Answer 24

Seeing something that takes their breath away- awe and wonder(numinous) of sunset- God behind it. Prayer answered strengthen faith. Miracles- surviving crash. Conversion- believing have experienced God and want to commit life to Him.