Theme C: Existence of God & Revelation Flashcards
Give an example of an analogy to support the teleological argument
Paley’s watch
What are strengths to the Design Argument?
It is supported by scripture, it is the simplest explanation (‘simplicity is evidence for the truth) and is supported by empirical observations
What are weaknesses to the Design Argument?
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
What does the First Cause Argument state?
That every effect has a cause. This idea is by St Thomas Aquinas
What are strengths of the First Cause Argument?
It is consistent with scripture and is based on empirical evidence.
What are weaknesses of the First Cause Argument?
The universe could have been the first cause, you cannot assume God is the first cause and what cause God?
What are miracles?
Events that contradict laws of nature and thought to be impossible
What is the importance of miracles?
Suggests a greater being and shows God’s closeness
What is the impact miracles have on people?
They lead to belief, they strengthen faith and make you feel closer to God
What are strengths to the belief in miracles?
It shows God’s closeness, confirms His characteristics (i.e. omnipotence) and explains events that science cannot explain
What are weaknesses to the belief in miracles?
Medical explanations, misinterpretations of natural events and suggest God shows favouritism
What is evil?
A cause of suffering
What is suffering?
An effect of evil
What are beliefs about evil and suffering?
It could be a test from God, suffering is a consequence of Original Sin and moral evil is due to freewill
What are responses to evil and suffering?
Praying for strength and help, forgiving others and helping others who are suffering
Why does science challenge religious beliefs?
There is no scientific evidence for God, science is based on empirical evidence which give greater credibility and scripture is considered ‘old’
What are religious responses to challenges from science?
Fundamentalists reject science due to scriptural evidence but modernists believe science explains how God created the universe and humanity
What is special revelation?
An experience of seeing or experiencing something in the imagination or through a dream
What is the importance of visions?
Leads to significant life changes, provide evidence for God’s existence and strengthens faith
What are criticisms of visions?
Could be lying, drugs and cannot be scientifically verified
What is general revelation?
The idea of being able to see something of God through nature and scripture which are readily available in everyday experience
What is the divine?
God, gods or ultimate reality
Why are revelations valuable?
Proof of God’s existence, help start a religion, helps people to have a relationship with God
