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EP > The Existence Of God > Flashcards

The Existence Of God Flashcards

1
Q

How can we prove that things exist ?

A

Personal experience, reliable evidence, logic.

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2
Q

Name three ways a theist is certain God exists.

A

God is the only logical explanation for the origin of the universe and it’s order,

Accept the accounts others have given of their experience of God,

Certain they have been in contact with God directly.

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3
Q

What is an atheist?

A

A person who believes there is no God.

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4
Q

What does an atheist believe about God’s existence ?

A

They reject any belief in God as they do not think evidence provided by theists is sufficient proof of his existence.

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5
Q

What is a theist?

A

A person who believes in God.

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6
Q

What is an agnostic?

A

A person who believes we cannot be sure whether God exists.

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7
Q

What is the first cause argument?

A

Caused to exist- Universe exists must have a cause- Something eternal not caused by anything- The eternal first cause is God- God exists.

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8
Q

Why is it called the first cause argument?

A

Arguing the first cause of the universe is God.

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9
Q

Why can it also be called cosmological?

A

Tries to prove there is a perfect well ordered universe and a world in which we live (cosmos) because God brought the cosmos into existence.

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10
Q

True or false, theists would accept the first possibility that the universe had a beginning.

A

True.

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11
Q

Why do theists argue the universe is perfect?

A

Because it was created by God and is not the result of random chance.

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12
Q

Define creation.

A

The act by which God brought the universe into being.

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13
Q

Define cosmological.

A

Referring to the origin and structure of the universe.

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14
Q

True or false, theists argue that if there was not a beginning to the universe there would be no explanation for its existence.

A

True, there would be no adequate explanation for the existence of the universe and all that is in it.

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15
Q

Who was St Thomas Aquinas?

A

A Christian who lived in the Middle Ages.

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16
Q

What did St Thomas Aquinas believe ?

A

Things cannot cause themselves to exist, the universe must have been caused by something outside of it being God. If God had not caused the universe, we would not exist.

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17
Q

Explain the first cause argument and time.

A

We are able to measure time- evidence universe had a beginning as a starting point is needed. Measurement of time is evidence of a beginning- ie God.

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18
Q

Name one belief and teaching about the existence of God.

A

‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth’- the Genesis account states that before the universe was created only God existed and at Gods command the process of creation began.

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19
Q

What is the design argument?

A

The universe is too orders and complicated to have come about by random chance, it must have been designed.

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20
Q

Why is it called the teleological argument?

A

Comes from the Greek word ‘teleos’ which means there is an end or purpose to everything.

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21
Q

What was St Thomas Aquinas’s design argument?

A

Things could only be kept in order by an intelligent human being.

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22
Q

What was William Paleys design argument?

A

If we found a watch, we would know evidence of design. If we look at the real world there is evidence for design ie eyes for seeing.

When Gravity was discovered, Paley saw this as Gods design to keep the regular movement of the universe.

23
Q

What was Isaac Newton’s design argument?

A

We have opposable thumbs which can move and grasp, this is only found in primates so is evidence of design.

24
Q

What is the Anthropic principle?

A

Modern version of the design argument written by FR Tennant.

25
Q

What is the outline of the Anthropic principle?

A

God planned the world so everything was right for human life to develop. The gravitational force was just right for the universe to come into existence. If the force was greater, stars would have burnt out but as the universe expanded, it was at the correct rate to allow for the development of planets and the Earth. Theists believe this fine tuning must be God.

26
Q

Define evolution.

A

Scientific belief that life forms have changed over time, developing from simple to complex creatures.

27
Q

What was the Big Bang?

A

The beginning of the universe where according to many scientists took place when a singularity explode and from this explosion all the matter that makes up the universe came into being.

28
Q

Name a challenge to the first cause argument.

A

It states that things exist because they are caused to exist, then what caused God? If God is eternal why can’t the universe be eternal?

29
Q

Name a problem with the design argument.

A

States that everything in the world is designed, we cannot prove this was God. Atheists might also argue evolution as our design, opposable thumb etc.

30
Q

What would theists reply to a challenge of the first cause argument?

A

The argument only applies to God as only God is outside time and space and eternal. Scientists do not know what caused the Big Bang, why could it not be god?

31
Q

Name another challenge to the design argument.

A

The cruelty and suffering found within nature, why would a designer include these flaws ?

32
Q

How would the Big Bang theory challenge the first cause argument?

A

Proves the existence of the universe resulted from a random spontaneous event, not an action by God.

33
Q

Define miracle.

A

A seemingly impossible occurrence usually good.

34
Q

How do theists use the term miracle?

A

To refer to an event performed by God that appears to break the laws of nature.

35
Q

What are the two types of miracles?

A

Events that break the laws of nature and cannot be explained by science.

Events in which no laws are broken but a coincidence occurs at just the right time to cause a good outcome.

36
Q

How do theists use miracles to prove the existence of God?

A

As there is no natural explanation for what happened, it must be a supernatural event. The miracle must have been caused by something outside nature ie God.

37
Q

Give four examples of religious experiences.

A

Presence of God in nature, conversion, prayer or a miraculous event.

38
Q

Define religious experience.

A

An experience that is outside normal experience, usually involving the supernatural.

39
Q

What is Pentecostal worship?

A

Christian worship in which there may be a charismatic event. They believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit are available to the faithful and it is through these gifts they experience God.

40
Q

Define morality.

A

A system of ethics which distinguishes between right and wrong.

41
Q

Define conscience.

A

The inner feeling you are doing right or wrong.

42
Q

What is a moral action?

A

An action believed to be right according to the rules/laws of the society, country or religion in which a person lives.

43
Q

How might people decide whether an action is right or wrong?

A

Looking at the consequences ie if your wife had cancer would stealing drugs be morally right if she was cured?

Looking at motives, has the man made the decision because he loves his wife and wants to relieve her suffering?

44
Q

Where do theists believe morality comes from?

A

People have an inbuilt sense of morality.
This sense comes from a source outside of them.
This source is God.
Therefore God exists.

45
Q

How do theists argue that morality takes priority?

A

We do things that are morally right because it is what we think we ought to do even when we prefer to act a different way.

Morality is a command which must be obeyed means it comes from ultimate authority ie God.

46
Q

Say how moral behaviour does not always get fair treatment.

A

Morality is a reasonable way to behave, people who behave morally need justice.

People who behave in a moral way but don’t get a happy life as a result.

Those who don’t get fair treatment in this life are rewarded after death. God must exit to raise people to life after death in heaven.

47
Q

How do theists argue conscience proves the existence of God?

A

Inner voice from God which guides our behaviour, it can make us feel good when we do something right or vice Versa.

48
Q

What is the basic problem for morality for the existence of God?

A

It’s difficult to prove morality exists and that morality is no more than laws or rules developed to control people.

49
Q

What do atheists and agnostics claim morality is?

A

Part of human development through evolution. Morality is part of survival process- those who cooperate more likely to survive.
Natural selection favoured morality because it has survival value.

50
Q

What would theists who accept evolution say about morality?

A

The fact it helps people to survive is part of God’s design for human development.

51
Q

What would atheists and agnostics say to conscience is the voice of God?

A

People have guilt feelings because they have gone against moral rules provided by the society/religion/family in which they were raised.

Guilt is caused by a conflict between peoples desires and controlling influences of society etc.

52
Q

What would atheists and agnostics say about moral behaviour being rewarded by an afterlife?

A

Why does behaving morally guarantee reward? Random chance people have happy life and isn’t linked to way they behave. No evidence to support life after death- cannot be used as evidence to support morality for existence of God.

53
Q

What would theists say about moral behaviour being rewarded by an afterlife?

A

There is life after death. God has provided moral guidance so people know how to behave so they will be rewarded after death.

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