The Existence of God

Question 1

Give two arguments which prove the existence of God for religious believers. (2)

Answer 1

1) Paley suggested the design argument as world so well ordered so must be designer.by higher being. Supports definition of God
2) Aquinas first cause argument as everything happens caused by something/ someone as “nothing can come from nothing”

Question 2

Give two arguments which suggest God may not exist. (2)

Answer 2

1) if everything universe based on idea that everything has a cause people may wonder who and what caused God
2) Hume says we cannot compare universe to anything we have caused as we have no experience of creating universe

Question 3

Give two ways the Design Argument may prove God exists. (2)

Answer 3

1) Paley suggested the design argument as world so well ordered so must be designer by higher being. Supports definition of God
2) like effects have like causes Eg. comparing watch which is complex therefore has designer to the universe which is also complex

Question 4

Give two ways the Cosmological Argument may prove God exists. (2)

Answer 4

1) first cause argument, Aquinas “nothing can come from nothing” must be time when nothing existed but God was the “first cause” that brought universe into existence
2) goes well with big bang and evolution theory as God was the cause

Question 5

Give two strengths of the Design Argument. (2)

Answer 5

1) goes well with big bang and evolution theory as God was the cause
2) anthropic design argument states that the world is so specifically adjusted to human that it cannot have been a simple coincidence

Question 6

Give two weaknesses of the Design Argument. (2)

Answer 6

1) if world designed cannot assume God designer as who designed God
2) if world so complex then the designer must be complex hence God

Question 7

Give two strengths of the Cosmological Argument. (2)

Answer 7

1) “nothing can come from nothing” must be time when nothing existed but God was “first cause” brought universe into existence
2) goes well with scientific arguments for example the big bang

Question 8

Give two weaknesses of the Cosmological Argument. (2)

Answer 8

1) who created God

2) Hume stated that cause and effect could be an illusion

Question 9

Give two ways miracles may prove God exists. (2)

Answer 9

1) only a higher being omnipotent could make miracles happen

2) miracles benefit the person experiencing miracle therefore God is omni-benevolent and proves we can rely on him

Question 10

Give two ways miracles may prove God doesn’t exist. (2)

Answer 10

1) miracles may seem like God is showing off his power therefore not a theist but deist God
2) only certain people benefit from miracles so contradicts statement that God is just

Question 11

Give two types of special revelation. (2)

Answer 11

1) miracles
2) a vision
3) through an angel

Question 12

Give two types of general revelation. (2)

Answer 12

1) nature

2) scripture such as bible

Question 13

Give two ways that science may prove God does not exist. (2)

Answer 13

1) science may find an alternate reason for the existence of universe with no reference to God