Symbols - RL2

Question 1

INTRO - define

Answer 1

Symbols - use a symbol to talk about God as it infers meaning via positive language in a deeper spiritual way

Question 2

Section one: AO1

SYMBOLS

Answer 2

Theory of Participation – symbolic language participates in what it points to. For example the crucifix is part of what it means to be Christian and symbolic of God’s love and forgiveness. Arguably this enables the religious believer to gain a meaningful and spiritual understanding of God without confining God into language when Gods attributes are beyond human comprehension

Question 3

Section one: AO2 FOR

SYMBOLS

Answer 3

Moreover, due to the symbols being non-literal it does not limit God into human language and thus would not misrepresent him.
-Stronger as allows a non-believer to understand ideas about God. For example, they would be able to perceive the significance of the cross and Jesus’ sacrifice.

Misses Tillich’s point. Not trying to present verifiable facts but communicate moral truths and understanding.
Symbols allow an understanding of God without defying him literally but understanding what the image represents.
Effective as connection without assuming knowledge of a necessary being.

Question 4

Section one: AO2 AGAINST

SYMBOLS

Answer 4

Alston argued that symbols lack verifiability, which Edwards agreed, stating that “it doesn’t convey any facts,” and thus cannot encapsulate a clear image of God as we still do not know anything with certainty as the symbol does not require actual truths or literal events.

Different interpretations God could be portrayed via the symbol in a negative way or mis-interpreted.

Question 5

Section one: AO1

APOTHATIC

Answer 5

Moses Maimonides the only positive statement that can be made about God is that he exists. All other statements about God must be negative as otherwise it would be improper and disrespectful. However the negative can still bring us knowledge of God. Analogy of the ship: If we say that the ship is not an accident, a mineral, a natural body then by the tenth statement we will have some knowledge about what the ship is. In the same way the Via Negative allows us to gain some knowledge of God.

Question 6

Section one: AO2 FOR

APOTHATIC

Answer 6

“God is beyond all meaning and intelligence…no creature can comprehend how or was he is” (John)

Supported by RE – James criteria for RE include how they are ineffable – cannot be placed/ described in ordinary language

Question 7

Section one: AO2 AGAINST

APOTHATIC

Answer 7

The apophatic way is not a true reflection of how religious believers speak or think about God. The scripture of all faiths describe God in positive terms.

But by taking away positive language and symbol, people cannot learn about God; if language is merely negative, what are we left with? (Davies). Symbols are entry level to belief and enables the believer to access the epistemic distance between humans and God without defining God.

Dr Inge: denying any description of God leads to an annihilation of God where we potentially lsoe any connection between God and the world. Flews gardener – idea of a God is not visible / intangible seems to be bear very little difference to their being no God at all

Question 8

Section three: AO1

LANGUAGE GAMES

Answer 8

Language games gain meaning from its connection to social reality. A ‘Language game’ exists when multiple people communicate. ‘Game’ as each language game consists of rules – in each social situation a person will act a certain way as they have internalised and are following certain rules which govern their behaviour, including speech. Possible for people to communicate as they share an understanding of the criteria of that game. Religious people: Language games about faith, emotions, social conventions

Question 9

Section three: AO2 FOR

LANGUAGE GAMES

Answer 9

This avoids anthropomorphizing God or misrepresenting God as the religious believers who are participating in the Language game would understand how gods Love is infinitely greater than ours which an atheist never could.

God is love – more concerned with the experience and having faith in God’s love rather than the objective existence of a God to give love. Faith is a stance in life and God has no objective reality.
Anti-realist non-cognitive stance – faith is communal matter and faith should be used to describe this

Question 10

Section three: AO2 AGAINST

LANGUAGE GAMES