Existence of God

Question 1

What is an Atheist?

Answer 1

Someone that believes there is no God

Question 2

What does Agnostic mean?

Answer 2

Believe God may or may not exist

Question 3

What is a Theist?

Answer 3

Believe God exists

Question 4

What are the ways to prove something exists?

Answer 4

Personal Experience
Reliable Experience
Using chain of Reasoning

Question 5

Describe the Teleological Argument

Answer 5

1. A watch is made with some really complicated parts
2. This is similar to the fact that the world is complicated
3. William Paley said that the watch has a watchmaker who is God
4. Therefore, the world is made by God

Question 6

Describe the Design Argument

Answer 6

Newton said that the thumb is so complex that it must have an intelligent designer (God)

Question 7

Describe the First Cause Argument (Cosmological)

Answer 7

1. Everything that exists has a cause for its existence
2. The Universe Exists
3. So therefore, the Universe has a cause for its existence
4. If the Universe has a cause for its existence, then that cause is God
5. Therefore, God must exist

Question 8

What are the Criticisms and Rebuttal of the Teleological and Cosmological Argument?

Answer 8

Problems:
Big Bang Theory - The Universe is created by random, not God
What caused God?
If God is eternal, why not the Universe

Rebuttal:
Big Bang started by God
God is outside time/space and is eternal
Time can be measured. Time must have a start

Question 9

What are the Criticisms and Rebuttal of the Design/Teleological Argument?

Answer 9

Problems:
Evolution - Humans are not the result of design
Even if designed, not necessarily by God
Cruelty and suffering = Evidence of poor design
Science seems to deny the existence of God
Science can explain everything so God is no longer needed

Rebuttal:
Don’t need to write books, paint pictures, create music, to survive so not from evolution
God is beyond our understanding. He has his own reason for making suffering that we don’t know

Question 10

Describe Religious Experiences

Answer 10

Charismatic Worship:

1. Worshippers believe they are filled and led by Holy Spirit
2. They sing in modern songs or tongues (An ancient language to communicate with God) and fall to the floor when they believe they’ve been touched by God

Awe and Wonder:

1. Many people are amazed by the beauty of nature
2. The beauty of nature is proof of a higher or absolute power
3. People are caused to feel sense of calm, peace, joy, happiness and thankfulness reminding them of God

Conversion:
A change of heart and belief
Deeply unique and personal experience to the original and often life changing
Whole lives have changed because of their experience with God

Question 11

What is Morality?

Answer 11

A system of ethics that distinguishes right/wrong

Question 12

What are the problems and rebuttal of Morality?

Answer 12

Problems:
Morality = Result of evolution
Social conditioning (Subconscious mind reminds of lessons learnt when young)
Not everyone feels guilt the same
Some can ignore their conscience

Rebuttal:
Inbuilt sense of morality
We do the right thing even if we don’t want to. Conscience is the voice of God

Question 13

What are Miracles?

Answer 13

An amazing coincidence and events that break the laws of nature

Question 14

What are the problems and rebuttal of miracles?

Answer 14

Problems:
Science may be able to explain miracles in the future
Theists give miraculous claims to ordinary events
Doctors may have wrongly diagnosed illness (not miracle)
Frauds make up for miracles for fame and money
God is picking who is saved (not fair/loving)

Rebuttal:
Miracles unexplainable naturally so must be supernatural = God
Miracles have converted atheists to believe in God
Miracles are checked by doctors so it must be real
Too many miracles for all to be false
Miracles are for benefit of all, to show God’s existence, not for benefit of individual