theme c Flashcards
1
Q
what is the design argument?
A
- also known as the teleological argument
- William paley’s theory that a watch is complex and intricate and so must have a designer, he uses this analogy to compare it to how the world/earth is so intricate that it must also have a designer ; god
2
Q
strengths of the design argument
A
- empircal observations e.g. human eye is complex
- it is logical and reasonable
- ‘the heavens proclaim the glory of god, the skies proclaim the work of his hands’
3
Q
criticisms of the design argument
A
- richard dawkins argues that the universe can also be explained by science
4
Q
what is the first cause argument?
A
- also known as cosmological
- first cause causer
- argued by thomas aquinas
5
Q
strengths of the first cause argument
A
- logical and reasonable
- explains what caused the big bang –> merging science and religion
- it is in line with the bibles creation story –> god caused the 7 days of creation
6
Q
criticisms of the first cause argument
A
- ‘couldn’t the universe be brute fact?’ –> bertrand russell
- first causer/mover doesn’t necessarily need to be god –> doesn’t prove his existence
- universe could be eternal
- creation stories may have been altered over time
7
Q
the inconsistent triad
A
- god being omnipotent
- god being omnibenevolent
- evil’s existence
—> it is inconsistent because not all three can happen at the same time
8
Q
forms of evil
A
- natural evil –> naturally occurring e.g. tsunamis, earthquakes
- moral evil –> caused by humans e.g. murder, rape
9
Q
quotes on evil
A
- ‘all evil is a test of our faith’ –> Adam and eve
- ‘eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth’ –> used to educate us, evil must exist for us to appreciate happiness and good in the world
10
Q
what is a miracle?
A
- an event that contradicts the laws of nature e.g. walking on water, Jesus turning water into wine or raising of the dead
11
Q
importance of miracles?
A
- suggests a greater being e.g. god
- featured in scripture
- shows closeness and compassion of god
12
Q
impact/influence of miracles?
A
- lead to belief in god
- strengthens the faith
- feels closer to god
- comforting and hopeful
- changes lives/history
13
Q
what christians reject science?
A
- fundamentalists
- literalists
14
Q
what christians accept science?
A
- modernists
- liberals
15
Q
arguments against the existence of god
A
- over time bible stories may have changed
- problem of evil and suffering
- lots of miracle stories seem unnatural, especially for someone who may be uneducated
- 10 commandments –> you could take out ‘do not commit adultery’ as the consequence is not as bad as if you said ‘do not rape’ –> attacks gods morality
