Theme C: Existence of God & Revelation

Question 1

Give an example of an analogy to support the teleological argument

Answer 1

Paley’s watch

Question 2

What are strengths to the Design Argument?

Answer 2

It is supported by scripture, it is the simplest explanation (‘simplicity is evidence for the truth) and is supported by empirical observations

Question 3

What are weaknesses to the Design Argument?

Answer 3

Richard Dawkins argues natural selection, science has demonstrated that humans evolved in response to the environment and John Stuart Mills observes that nature is cruel so the God who created the world cannot be omnibenevolent

Question 4

What does the First Cause Argument state?

Answer 4

That every effect has a cause. This idea is by St Thomas Aquinas

Question 5

What are strengths of the First Cause Argument?

Answer 5

It is consistent with scripture and is based on empirical evidence.

Question 6

What are weaknesses of the First Cause Argument?

Answer 6

The universe could have been the first cause, you cannot assume God is the first cause and what cause God?

Question 7

What are miracles?

Answer 7

Events that contradict laws of nature and thought to be impossible

Question 8

What is the importance of miracles?

Answer 8

Suggests a greater being and shows God’s closeness

Question 9

What is the impact miracles have on people?

Answer 9

They lead to belief, they strengthen faith and make you feel closer to God

Question 10

What are strengths to the belief in miracles?

Answer 10

It shows God’s closeness, confirms His characteristics (i.e. omnipotence) and explains events that science cannot explain

Question 11

What are weaknesses to the belief in miracles?

Answer 11

Medical explanations, misinterpretations of natural events and suggest God shows favouritism

Question 12

What is evil?

Answer 12

A cause of suffering

Question 13

What is suffering?

Answer 13

An effect of evil

Question 14

What are beliefs about evil and suffering?

Answer 14

It could be a test from God, suffering is a consequence of Original Sin and moral evil is due to freewill

Question 15

What are responses to evil and suffering?

Answer 15

Praying for strength and help, forgiving others and helping others who are suffering

Question 16

Why does science challenge religious beliefs?

Answer 16

There is no scientific evidence for God, science is based on empirical evidence which give greater credibility and scripture is considered ‘old’

Question 17

What are religious responses to challenges from science?

Answer 17

Fundamentalists reject science due to scriptural evidence but modernists believe science explains how God created the universe and humanity

Question 18

What is special revelation?

Answer 18

An experience of seeing or experiencing something in the imagination or through a dream

Question 19

What is the importance of visions?

Answer 19

Leads to significant life changes, provide evidence for God’s existence and strengthens faith

Question 20

What are criticisms of visions?

Answer 20

Could be lying, drugs and cannot be scientifically verified

Question 21

What is general revelation?

Answer 21

The idea of being able to see something of God through nature and scripture which are readily available in everyday experience

Question 22

What is the divine?

Answer 22

God, gods or ultimate reality

Question 23

Why are revelations valuable?

Answer 23

Proof of God’s existence, help start a religion, helps people to have a relationship with God