Unit 2-Proof of God

Question 1

What is the definition of the cosmological argument?

Answer 1

An argument that suggests that something must have kickstarted the universe.

Question 2

What is a prime mover?

Answer 2

-The first cause of all things

Question 3

What is an infinite regress?

Answer 3

-When a chain of events keeps going back with no start

Question 4

Who came up with the cosmological argument?

Answer 4

Thomas Aquinas

Question 5

What is the four points of the cosmological argument?

Answer 5

1. Cause and effect are key features in the universe
2. The very existence of the universe requires a first cause
3. Without a first cause there would be infinite regress which seems impossible
4. God is the first cause of the universe

Question 6

What are non-religious arguments against the Cosmological argument?

Answer 6

• Just because everything else needs a cause doesn’t mean the universe needs a cause
• If God doesn’t need a first cause why does the universe?
• Even if there is a first cause why does it have to be God

Question 7

What is the definition of a miracle?

Answer 7

-An event that breaks the laws of science

Question 8

What miracles are there in the Bible?

Answer 8

• The parting of The Red Sea to save the Israelites
• Raising Lazarus from the dead
• Jesus walking on water

Question 9

What are non religious viewpoints on miracles?

Answer 9

• Might be other explanations i.e coincidence
• Humanists would agree that science is always changing
• Atheists would argue that just because something is unexplainable doesn’t mean God caused it

Question 10

What are Christian viewpoints on Miracles and Visions?

Answer 10

• Unlikely that with miracles everyone who claimed it was wrong
• Many recorded examples across History
• If there is no reasonable explanation it must be God

Question 11

What is the definition of a vision?

Answer 11

-A way that God reveals himself

Question 12

Why are visions important?

Answer 12

• Tell people God’s plans
• Shows people that God loves them
• Encourage a person to take action or change their life
• Strengthens faith in God

Question 13

What is a Biblical example of a vision?

Answer 13

-Abraham was given the job to spread the word of monotheism in return for many descendants and fame
“Do not be afraid,Abraham.I am your shield, your very greatest reward”

Question 14

Who was Bernadette Soubirous and what did she see?

Answer 14

• A 14 year old girl
• She saw a vision of the Virgin Mary telling her to build a hospital for healing the sick
• Did build the hospital which is now a pilgrim site

Question 15

Who were the children of Fatima and what did they see?

Answer 15

• Three children in Portugal who saw three separate events.
  1. Claimed to see an angel who taught them how to worship
  2. Saw the Virgin Mary who said of a miracle
  3. The sun appeared as a rotating disc zigzagging across the sky (witnessed by lots of people)

Question 16

What are Atheist/Humanist views on visions?

Answer 16

• There is no scientific proof or evidence
• Eyewitnesses are unreliable
• Religious people may manifest it to prove their belief
• Hallucinations and imagination could be responsible

Question 17

What do Catholics think of visions?

Answer 17

• Only true if they don’t contradict anything in the Bible

- Accept that visions are rare but God will reveal himself

Question 18

What do Protestants think of visions?

Answer 18

• Charismatic Churches encourage people to have visions
• Christians who experience visions are encouraged to share
• More conservative churches do not accept it

Question 19

What is the definition of the Design Argument?

Answer 19

-That God must exist because the world is so beautiful and complex it must have been created.

Question 20

Who came up with the Watchmaker analogy?

Answer 20

-William Paley

Question 21

What are the four parts of the watchmaker theory?

Answer 21

1. If a watch was found on the floor you would assume it had a maker
2. The world is more complex than a watch.Its beautiful and works almost flawlessly
3. Therefore the world must also have a creator
4. That creator is God

Question 22

How does the Watchmaker theory back up Christian points?

Answer 22

-Everything has a purpose and design which could have only been put in place by an omnipotent creator

Question 23

How would Christians argue against the non-religious viewpoint that “The world is too complex to be summarised in an analogy”?

Answer 23

“Analogies help us understand”

Question 24

How would Christians argue against the non-religious viewpoint that “The universe is flawed. Why would God do that?”?

Answer 24

“Suffering was not the original plan it was caused by Adam and Eve”

Question 25

How would Christians argue against the non-religious viewpoint that “The universe may not have order we just find order because we’re looking for it”

Answer 25

“Order can be observed because it is present”