Believing In God

Question 1

Atheist

Answer 1

Believing that god does not exist

Question 2

Theist

Answer 2

Believing that god does exist

Question 3

Conversion

Answer 3

Changing from one religion to another or changing from not following a religion to following one

Question 4

Agnosticism

Answer 4

Not being sure whether god exists or not

Question 5

Free will

Answer 5

The idea that humans are free to make their own choices.

Question 6

Miracle

Answer 6

Something that breaks the law of science and makes you believe that only god could have caused it.

Question 7

Moral evil

Answer 7

Actions done by humans that cause suffering

Question 8

Natural evil

Answer 8

This which cause suffering but were not caused by humans

Question 9

Numinous

Answer 9

The feeling of the presence of something greater than you.

Question 10

Omnipotent

Answer 10

The belief that god is all powerful

Question 11

Omniscient

Answer 11

The belief that god is all knowing

Question 12

Omnibenevolent

Answer 12

The belief that god is all good and kind (all loving)

Question 13

Prayer

Answer 13

An attempt to communicate with god, usually through words.

Question 14

Features of a religious upbringing

Answer 14

Parents may read children stories from the bible
Children may attend a church school
Parents may teach their children prayers
Children may be baptised, Christened and involved in sacraments
Children may worship and pray
Their parents may be in a Christian marriage
They may be encouraged to volunteer in the community

Question 15

What are the four religious experiences?

Answer 15

Conversion
Numinous
Miracle
Prayer

Question 16

Design argument

Answer 16

William paley
Teleological argument
Compares universe to a watch, therefore an intelligent designer who must be god must have designed the universe.

Question 17

Argument from causation

Answer 17

Thomas aquinas 13th century
Cosmological argument
Nothing can happen by itself, so something powerful and eternal must have caused it, this being god
God= uncaused cause

Question 18

The Big Bang theory - most accepted model of cosmology

Answer 18

All matter in the universe originated from one singularity
This then expanded at the speed of light (expansion theory of Hubble)
Elements formed and compressed to make matter
The earth was a a hellish planet but cooled to make cells
Evolution (Darwin) happened
Origin via redshift blueshift

Question 19

Why might species become extinct?

Answer 19

Increased competition
Changes in the environment
New diseases
New predators

Question 20

Fundamentalist Christian

Answer 20

Believes god exists
Bible is literal word of god
God created world in six days, rested on seventh
Genesis story is true

Question 21

Symbolic Christian

Answer 21

Believes in god
Some parts of bible are metaphorical
God created the world but probably not in the way genesis describes
Genesis story is a metaphor for a deeper meaning of creation

Question 22

Scientific Christian

Answer 22

Believes that god exists
The bible was written by men inspired by god, so needs to be interpreted to fit the modern world
God started the Big Bang, humans evolved
Genesis story wad written by people a long time ago, when they had no science

Question 23

Why do unanswered prayers lead to people not believing in god?

Answer 23

Why should you believe in god when he does nothing for you?
By only unswerving some prayers it shows he is not omnibenevolent
“Ask and you shall receive” goes against bible teaching
God doesn’t give a sign even if he won’t answer them
If he was omnipotent, he would Be able to answer all prayers

Question 24

How are free will and prayer connected?

Answer 24

God will not answer prayers if they affect anybody’s free will.
This is why Christians argue that not all prayers are answered

Question 25

Christian responses to unanswered prayers

Answer 25

God has an ultimate plan for each of us - the prayer may go against his plan
Sometimes prayers are selfish and god may not approve
Humans cannot understand god because he has divine powers
Sometimes god just hears them but decided no
Some prayers contradict others so god cannot answer both

Question 26

Bible quotes about prayers

Answer 26

“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer”
“But the face of The Lord is against those who do evil”
“Everything is possible for one who believes”

Question 27

How do Christians respond to evil and suffering?

Answer 27

People have free will and if they do wrong god cannot stop them.
Christians should work hard for justice, and follow the example of Jesus.
Suffering gives people a chance to do good deeds and become better people.
The devil tempts people, and without god there would be no devil.
Humans are not as all knowing and perfect as god so cannot know why he allows evil and suffering. Test of belief.
It may be part of a greater plan eg forest fires encourage new growth.