Unit 1 Foundations of Faith Flashcards
How do science and religion relate to one and other?
They can be viewed as complementary approaches to understanding the world.
Can science provide proof that God exists?
Yes it can provide various arguments and observations and indications that align with religious beliefs.
Does faith go beyond science?
Yes, faith goes beyond scientific or empirical evidence. This includes personal experience, community scripture, and tradition.
What are the cosmological arguments for the existence of God?
1) The Big Bang Theory
2) Fine-tuning of the universe
3) Precise Balance of Physical Constants
4) Necessary conditions for life
5) Unlikelihood of Chance
How does the Big Bang Theory align with religious beliefs?
The Big Bang theory is scientific support for the creation of the universe. It suggests that the universe had a definite beginning, this concept of a finite beginning supports religious beliefs. If it has a beginning something must have created it.
What does singularity mean?
A point initiating the expansion of the universe
How does the fine-tuning of the universe support the existence of God?
For life to exist many factors must be precise which implies the presence of an intelligent creator, as it’s unlikely that these conditions would occur randomly.
How does the precise balance of physical constants support the existence of God?
Values of constants are precise, possibly created by God, any slight deviation would make Earth inhospitable. Implies that this wasn’t random.
What are examples of physical constants?
Particles that constitute matter: electron, proton, neutron.
How does the necessary conditions for life support the existence of God?
The fine tuning allows for the conditions to create stars, galaxies, planets and life.
How does the unlikelihood of chance support the existence of God?
It’s highly unlikely that the fine-tuned conditions of the universe would arise on their own randomly, the precise combo of constants and laws indicates an intelligent creator.
What theological arguments support the existence of God?
1) Complexity and Order in Nature
2) Biological information and DNA
3) Complexity of Life
4) Abiogenesis
5) Fine-tuning of Conditions
How does the complexity and order in nature support the existence of God?
Evidence of intelligent design (humans), the complexity of DNA, diversity of ecosystems, and the precise mechanisms of the universe all suggest the involvement of an intelligent creator.
How does the complexity of life support the existence of God?
It is unlikely that complex parts of life (molecular structures, information processing systems, self-replicating mechanisms) all are doubtful to have been created through natural processes.
What is abiogenesis?
The scientific study of how life originated from non-living matter.
How does abiogenesis support the existence of God?
Nobody can agree on how life originated from non-living matter, meaning it’s possible that God created it.
How does the fine-tuning of conditions support the existence of God?
The origin of life requires specific environmental conditions like the atmosphere, elements, and energy sources. This leads to asking questions about how they came to be and were suitable for life.
What are the moral arguments for the existence of God?
1) Moral intuitions and objective values
2) Objective moral values
3) Universal moral principals
4) Moral Realism
5) Moral Obligation
How do moral intuition and objective values support the existence of God?
The presence of a moral law giver (God) is suggested by the fact that there are universal moral intuitions and objective moral values suggests the presence of this moral law giver as science alone cannot establish moral values.
How do objective moral values support the existence of God?
Moral values: Principals of right and wrong that govern human behavior, making us question where they came from and how they got their objectivity.
How do universal moral principals support the existence of God?
Many moral principals (honesty, compassion, fairness) are recognized across many cultures and time which suggests an objective foundation for morality (created by God?)
How does moral realism support the existence of God?
It asserts that morals are rooted in a transcendent source because they’re objective and exist independently of human opinion.
How does moral obligation support the existence of God?
It implies an objective moral framework that holds people accountable, it is the sense of duty and responsibility toward others. Who would have created it?
What arguments about conscience and transcendence support the existence of God?
1) The nature of consciousness
2) Personal religious experiences