Believing In God Flashcards
Atheist
Believing that god does not exist
Theist
Believing that god does exist
Conversion
Changing from one religion to another or changing from not following a religion to following one
Agnosticism
Not being sure whether god exists or not
Free will
The idea that humans are free to make their own choices.
Miracle
Something that breaks the law of science and makes you believe that only god could have caused it.
Moral evil
Actions done by humans that cause suffering
Natural evil
This which cause suffering but were not caused by humans
Numinous
The feeling of the presence of something greater than you.
Omnipotent
The belief that god is all powerful
Omniscient
The belief that god is all knowing
Omnibenevolent
The belief that god is all good and kind (all loving)
Prayer
An attempt to communicate with god, usually through words.
Features of a religious upbringing
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
What are the four religious experiences?
Conversion
Numinous
Miracle
Prayer
Design argument
William paley
Teleological argument
Compares universe to a watch, therefore an intelligent designer who must be god must have designed the universe.
Argument from causation
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
The Big Bang theory - most accepted model of cosmology
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
Why might species become extinct?
Increased competition
Changes in the environment
New diseases
New predators
Fundamentalist Christian
Believes god exists
Bible is literal word of god
God created world in six days, rested on seventh
Genesis story is true
Symbolic Christian
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
Scientific Christian
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
Why do unanswered prayers lead to people not believing in god?
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
How are free will and prayer connected?
God will not answer prayers if they affect anybody’s free will.
This is why Christians argue that not all prayers are answered
Christian responses to unanswered prayers
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
Bible quotes about prayers
“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”
How do Christians respond to evil and suffering?
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.
