Paper 2 - Theme C Exsistence Of God (Christianity)

Question 1

What does genesis say and what does it make Christians believe in?

Answer 1

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”

Makes them believe in the design argument as it shows god planned the universes development

Question 2

What does an agnostic believe?

Answer 2

It’s impossible to know for certain wether or not god exists

Question 3

What did William paley compared the design argument to?

Answer 3

A watch as it’s intricate workings had to be put together on purpose for it to work

Question 4

What was Issac Newton’s design argument and give a quote

Answer 4

That the thumb is so intricate and unique it was enough to prove gods existence
“In the absence of any other proof the thumb alone would convince me”

Question 5

What was Thomas aquinas’ design argument?

Answer 5

That only an intelligent being could keep the universe in order and the solar system is set in its pattern as god keeps it in place

Question 6

Whats the modern design argument by tennant?

Answer 6

That everything happened so perfectly; the difference in size between a proton and a neutron would have meant life would not exist

Question 7

Give 2 objections to the design argument

Answer 7

• the process of natural selection happens by chance

- there is suffering in the world and cruelty in nature

Question 8

Give an example from genesis that supports the first cause argument

Answer 8

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth… God said let their be light and there was light”

Question 9

Give the 2 types of miracles

Answer 9

• events that break natural law and can’t be explained by science
• happy coincidences where no natural laws are broken but there is a good outcome

Question 10

How do theists use miracles to prove god’s existence?

Answer 10

Because they believe things without scientific explanation must be supernatural and caused by something outside nature and since only god is outside of nature than miracles are a result of gods intervention and so exists

Question 11

Give examples of miracles in Christianity

Answer 11

• the incarnation and resurrection of Jesus

- when Jesus made water wine at the marriage in Cana

Question 12

Give the miracle experienced by Marie bailly

Answer 12

Where she had tubercular peritonitis and asked to be taken to Lourdes where she was taken to the baths where holy waters were poured on her abdomen where she prayed to Mary when she was dying. Her abdomen then reduced in size and returned to good health

Question 13

How many miracles does the Catholic Church officially recognise took place in Lourdes?

Answer 13

69 miracles

Question 14

How is science used to challenge the belief in god?

Answer 14

Because they say there is no need to invent a god to make sense of what we don’t know as eventually science will have the answers

Question 15

What do fundamentalist Christians think about science in Christianity?

Answer 15

That it’s wrong to change scientific laws as this could lead to the rejection of other teachings in the bible

Question 16

What is the atheist argument to prove god doesn’t exist due to evil and suffering?

Answer 16

Christians believe god is all knowing and all powerful and all loving should be aware of evil, be able to prevent it and want to do so and yet he doesn’t so he doesn’t exist

Question 17

What do Christians see suffering and evil a result of?

Answer 17

Human free will as Adam and eves disobedience brought evil and suffering into God’s perfect world

Question 18

How would Christians say evil and suffering doesn’t mean god doesn’t exist?

Answer 18

• they believe god didn’t create people like robots and he gave them freewill at the risk of hurting others
• they could argue there if there is no good and bad the richness of life is reduced as people wouldn’t be able to show their human qualities to the full as they wouldn’t be able to demonstrate compassion or learn from mistakes.