Unit 2 Flashcards
What is proof?
Evidence that makes other explanations unreasonable
What is the problem with saying that the universe has been “fluctuating” for an eternity?
Current evidence doesn’t show any signs of future collapse
What is the law of causality?
Anything with a beginning must have a cause.
i.e The start of our universe. –> created. Not just popping into existence - magic.
Why can’t time, in relation to human beings, go back into the past forever?
If the past were infinite, we’d never reach today. Today would slip further into the past.
How does Dr. Craig argue that the cause of the universe is an intelligent being?
The only immaterial things that could cause the universe are abstract conditions or a supernatural being. Since abstract conditions require a cause, the cause of the universe IS a being who chose to make it
In conversation, why is it important to define what each person means by “proof”?
So you can know if it’s possible to provide the proof. Otherwise it is just a theory. i.e. Start of life on earth
What is the Kalam cosmological argument?
1- Anything with a beginning has a cause
2- Universe had a beginning
3- Therefore universe has a cause (GOD)
What premise of the Kalam argument is normally attacked by its critics?
That the universe had a beginning
What is some of the scientific evidence for an ultimate beginning to the universe?
Big Bang theory evidence. Shows a definite point of beginning.
Anthony Flew is a deist who used to be a well known A Atheist B Theist C Biblical scholar D Agnostic
A Atheist
What argument convinced Flew to convert?
Teleological (fine-tuning) argument
Universe shows things designed just as needed for life to exist on earth therefore must be designed as chances of it happening are astronomically small.
What does a deist believe?
God created the universe but doesn’t intervene beyond that. Similar to the Greek and Roman beliefs
Bertrand Russell was the first in a modern line of famous \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ philosophers A Atheist B Greek C Roman D Deist
A Atheist
The strongest argument for atheism is A Darwinism B Evolution theory C The problem of evil D Kalam theory
C The problem of evil
Can God create a rock so big that he cannot lift it?
No All powerful
Why is it that Christian philosophers an still say that God is omnipotent, even if he cannot create a rock that he cannot lift?
God cannot be more that all powerful (omnipotent)
How does the theist respond to the skeptic who says “There’s no real proof” about God?
Define “proof”
Present argument for God
Hold skeptic accountable to respond to each point
Why is it so detrimental for a Christian to simply say, “That’s just what I believe” or “It’s only a matter of faith” when questioned about their Christianity/belief in God?
Provides no evidence at all.
Puts Christian in same category as any completely unreasonable or irrational belief i.e. The earth is flat or aliens abduct earthlings
Does evolution theory provide a good argument against the existence of God?
No because it doesn’t affect God’s existence. Can only show God was not needed creation of plants/animals on earth.
What is a logical response to the problem of evil?
As long as God could have a morally sufficient reason to allow evil, he can still be good, yet evil exists.
What aspect of the problem of evil makes it seem like a strong argument against God?
Emotional aspect. We do not want bad things to happen
What is the principle known as Occam’s razor?
Don’t use unnecessary elements in your explanation
How is Occam’s razor used in argument against God’s existence?
If we can explain how a universe started without God’s involvement, there is no need to believe he exists
How can the theist respond to an Occam’s razor argument?
Make an argument showing the need for God such as Kalam argument.
Universe - beginning - cause - God
Why are arguments that ultimately say, “I don’t like God” so weak?
They don’t affect whether God exists
The most common attack on the existence of God in popular atheist books (like Hitchens “God is not Great”) is …….
Religion is bad for the world since it is founded on false belief
Which of the following are pantheist religions? A New Age B Some Buddhism C Christianity D Jewish
A & B Many Gods
New Age and some buddhism
Which of the following are pantheist religions? A Kaballah B Muslims C Hinduism D Baptists
A & C
Muslims and Christians (Baptists) are monotheists
Pantheists believe that all material things are just A An illusion B To be shared equally C Measurements of wealth D Proof of a single God
A Illusion
Pantheists believe that all of humanity and even nature itself is one T/F
True
Is it possible for there to be more than one ultimate/necessary being?
No Cannot all be true beliefs
How can the theist respond to someone who claims that God must have a beginning?
As the first cause, he must be eternal. Otherwise you keep looking backwards for the cause.
How can a Christian theist reply to a claim that God must be both good and evil since he has no limits?
God is limitless in the characteristics he has but does not have all characteristics.
Omnipotent - all powerful
Omniscient - all knowing
Which belief says "I do not know whether or not God exists"? A theism B deism C agnosticism D Just undecided
D Undecided
Which belief says "I cannot know whether or not God exists"? A theism B deism C agnosticism D Atheist
C Agnosticism
Which belief says "I know God does not exist"? A theism B deism C agnosticism D atheism
D Atheism
How can a theist reply to the statement, “A loving God would not allow for unbelief and therefore judgement”
Unbelief is required for a free man to freely choose to participate in a relationship of love with his creator.
The freewill argument says that man does not have a free will if he has no \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ A Belief B Doubt C Soul D Body
C Soul
What is the problem with defining atheism as simply the “lack of belief in God”?
Would then apply to babies, animals, plants, etc
which is clearly not the case
An argument for atheism puts the burden of proof on the atheist to show why suffering and God’s goodness are incompatible T/F
True
Explain how the butterfly effect relates to apparently pointless suffering
What appears pointless up close, may have huge effects on the rest of the world in the grand scheme
According to Dr. Craig, we are not in a position to say that it is improbable that God lacks good reason for permitting suffering in the world T
True
Why is it that God may not be able to make His exact ideal world?
Because He chose to give people the ability to make real choices rather than be biological robots.
What is the moral/axiological argument?
There exist universal human values such as goodness, truth, justice, etc.
Universal human “moral conscience” exists
What is the ontological argument?
God must exist because the universe is organized.
The universe had a beginning and therefore a creator is what kind of argument? A Ontological B Moral/axiological C Cosmological (Kalam) D Teleological
C Cosmological (Kalam)
The universe is designed in order for life to exist is what kind of argument? A Ontological B Moral/axiological C Cosmological (Kalam) D Teleological
D. Teleological
