Christianity and science Flashcards

1
Q

Empirical approach (enlightenment period)

A

Refers to evidence and observation based approach

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2
Q

Rationalist approach (enlightenment period)

A

Refers to an approach that uses reasoned thought

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3
Q

Explain deism

A

God created the universe but does not intervene in its ongoing operation - he set things off through the Big Bang and left without acting on it any further

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4
Q

Explain immanence

A

It is related to the presence of God and His involvement in the universe. it depicts His nature as personal.

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5
Q

Explain existentialism

A

The view that humans define their own meaning in life; their choices make them what they are

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6
Q

Darwinism is based on…

A

Inductive reasoning

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7
Q

What is natural selection?

A

The mechanism driving the survival and reproduction of organisms with advantageous traits - resulting in the gradual adaptation and evolution of species

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8
Q

What is the book Charles Darwin wrote on evolution?

A

On the Origin of Species (1859)

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9
Q

How did fundamentalist Christians view Darwinism?

A

They dismissed it as human error since it conflicted with the word of God to be found in the Bible

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10
Q

Which Christians welcomed the theory of evolution?

A

Liberal Christians as they had long rejected any literalist interpretation of the Genesis creation stories

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11
Q

Give an example of someone in the Church of England who has ridiculed the theory of evolution.

A

Bishop Wilberforce asked whether his descent from a monkey came through his grandmother or grandfather

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12
Q

Who rejects the theory of evolution totally?

A

YEC and OEC as it is incompatible with the genesis creation stories - which are the infallible word of God

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13
Q

Why do some OEC accept the theory of evolution in diluted form?

A

Evolution explains the development of simpler life forms but humanity is the result of special creation by God

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14
Q

What is the God of the gaps approach?

A

A theological concept that emerged in the 19th century and revolves around the idea that gaps in scientific understanding are regarded as indications of the existence of God

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15
Q

Provide a critique for the God of the gaps approach

A

It becomes increasingly irrelevant as scientific understanding advances

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16
Q

What is the Big Bang theory?

A

The scientific explanation that the universe originated from a hot and dense initial state and has been expanding and evolving over the course of approximately 13.8 billion years

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17
Q

The Catholic Church on the Big Bang theory

A

Fully accepts it

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18
Q

Pope Francis Big Bang theory quote

A

“The Big Bang, which today we hold to be the origin of the world, does not contradict the intervention of the divine creator but, rather, requires it”

19
Q

John Polkinghorne states that explanation is needed for the fact that the world is…

A

intelligible

20
Q

Polkinghorne quote on the intelligible nature of the world

A

“The rational transparency and beauty of the universe are surely too remarkable to be treated as just happy accidents.”

21
Q

Polkinghorn says that the _________ principle needs explaining

A

Anthropic

22
Q

What is the Anthropic principle?

A

It refers to the incredibly precise fine-tuning of the elements in the universe that are absolutely essential at that particular degree or point for human life to exist

23
Q

What did Polkinghorne advocate for?

A

A constructive relationship between science and religion

24
Q

What did Polkinghorne emphasise?

A

That both science and religion are complimentary ways of understanding reality

25
Q

How are both science and religion complimentary ways of understanding reality (according to Polkinghorne)?

A

He argued that both disciplines explore different aspects of the world:
- Science addresses the HOW questions
- Religion addresses the WHY questions
- Scientific theories are empirically based
- Claims about Jesus are matters of belief

26
Q

John Polkinghorne quote

A

“…he [God] is at work within the flexibility of its process”

27
Q

What is genetic engineering?

A

It refers to the deliberate modification of an organism’s genetic material (DNA) to introduce specific desirable traits or make changes to its characteristics

28
Q

What are some physical dangers of genetic engineering?

A

Modifying genetic code can lead to unpredictable outcomes:
- Unexpected health issues
- Ecological disruptions
- Unintended effects on biodiversity

29
Q

What are the ethical concerns surrounding genetic engineering?

A
  • The potential for misuse
  • Unequal access to genetic modifications
  • The potential for unintended long-term consequences on future generations or the environment
30
Q

What are some currently incurable diseases?

A
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Cancer
  • Down syndrome
31
Q

What are transhumans?

A

Individuals who have undergone significant enhancements or modifications to their physical or intellectual or psychological capacities through the integration of advanced technologies or biological interventions

32
Q

What is Somatic cell therapy?

A

Intended to correct genetic disorders. The desired gene is transferred to a somatic cell. The gene is not transferred to the offspring - it only affects the individual being.

33
Q

Christian view on Somatic-cell therapy

A

It is generally encouraged as a responsible use of God-given skills - providing undue risks are not taken and the benefits justify the costs

34
Q

What is Germline therapy?

A

Here the desired gene is introduced in the germ cell. The gene gets transferred from one generation to another generation - it affects not only the individual being but their descendants as it genetically modified the sex cells

35
Q

Christian view on Germline therapy

A

There is much more concern. The bad results would be passed down generations if a mistake were to be made. The bad effects are not necessarily foreseeable

36
Q

What is enhancement therapy?

A

Social not medical purpose aimed at improving the human race

37
Q

What is Transhumanism?

A

Transhumanism is the position that human beings should be permitted to use technology to modify and enhance human cognition and bodily function - expanding abilities and capacities beyond current biological constraints.

38
Q

What do Transhumanism advocates believe about evolution?

A

They believe that our evolution is incomplete and we will soon transcend the definition of what it means to be human

39
Q

The ethics of Transhumanism

A
  • This may cause social clashes - like wars and famine etc
  • Will classical humans have place in the world or will everyone be forced to transform into the new form of the humans?
  • Some people may find transhumanism against to their religious beliefs and resist the transformation
40
Q

Catholics and Protestants on genetically modified crops

A

Some support given there potential in relation to global hunger - but there is also concern about possibly reducing biodiversity

41
Q

There is some concern about genetic modification of animals among Catholics - why?

A

This could be seen as contrary to NML

42
Q

Do Christians support or reject Enhancement therapy and Transhumanism?

A

It is rejected by Catholics and many Protestants

43
Q

Why is Enhancement therapy and Transhumanism rejected by Catholics and many Protestants?

A
  • Humans would no longer be in the image of God
  • Promotes idolatry
  • Leads to children being viewed as a commodity rather than a gift
  • It would result in a two-tier society and discrimination based on wealth (i.e. who could afford the therapy as opposed to those who could not)
44
Q

Joseph Fletches (a proponent of Christian situation ethics) on Enhancement therapy and Transhumanism

A
  • The proper controls to prevent abuse and exploitation must be in place
  • Rules and principles based on outdates and irrelevant biblical texts or religious dogma should be set aside
  • He foresaw a time in the future where overpopulation or shortage of natural resources would necessitate the genetic modification of humans to enable them to live in the vastly different conditions of space