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RE > Unit 9 - Arguments for the Existence of God > Flashcards

Unit 9 - Arguments for the Existence of God Flashcards

1
Q

Revelation definition

A

God making himself known to humanity

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2
Q

Natural revelation definition

A

God revealing himself through the natural world

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3
Q

Special revelation definition

A

God revealing himself through special means such as the Bible

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4
Q

Importance of revelation

A

Proof of God’s existence, meaning of life

Proof of God’s love

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5
Q

Types of special revelation

A

The Bible

Jesus

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6
Q

How Bible is type of special revelation

A

Apostles recorded the story of God’s revelation in the Bible
Bible is authoritative way of knowing God’s revelation

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7
Q

What Jesus’ revelation shows about God

A

God sent Jesus out of love for humans

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8
Q

Corporeal vision definition

A

When people physically see something

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9
Q

Imaginative vision definition

A

When people see something in their imagination or dreams

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10
Q

Importance of visions

A

Prompts someone to do God’s will
Strengthens faith
Shows God’s love as He offers us guidance
Shows mystery of God as may test person’s faith

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11
Q

New Testament vision example and importance

A

Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-13)
Shows Jesus is Son of God
Shows Jesus fulfils Old Testament prophecies as Moses and Elijah were present

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12
Q

Old Testament vision example and importance

A

God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15:1)

Abraham is promised reward and protection for obedience

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13
Q

Non-biblical vision example and importance

A

Joan of Arc
Received instruction to force the English from her homeland
Burned at stake in 1431
Made a saint in 1920

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14
Q

Reasons why vision might lead people to believe in God

A

Can be powerful, giving strength and faith
Many examples allowing people to interpret them religiously
Private revelations can occur

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15
Q

Arguments against visions being proof of God’s existence

A

No lasting, physical proof of them happening
Can be seen as hallucinations, misunderstandings or made up
Even if genuine, no reason to see as proof of God’s existence
Dreams could be our subconscious wanting a religious experience

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16
Q

Conditions of visions being accredited by Catholic Church

A

Must not contradict Church teaching

Must be supported by sources of authority

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17
Q

Miracle definition

A

Something that seems to break laws of science

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18
Q

Importance of miracles

A

Shows Jesus’ divinity

Strengthens faith if seen

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19
Q

Healing miracle definition

A

Curing people from illness or injury

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20
Q

Natural miracle definition

A

Causing strange occurrences in the natural world e.g. calming the sea

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21
Q

Spiritual miracle definition

A

Changing someone’s mind or spirituality e.g. exorcisms

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22
Q

Biblical examples of miracles

A

Parting of the Red Sea
Feeding the 5000
Jesus healing blind man at Bethsaida

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23
Q

Non-biblical examples of miracles

A

Lourdes - many healing miracle instances e.g. Serge Francois who lost mobility in his left leg
Our Lady of Guadalupe - flowers fell from Juan Diego’s robe to reveal an image of Mary

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24
Q

Reasons why miracles might lead people to believe in God’s existence

A

No scientific explanation so could be God’s doing

Those who were a part of the miracle may feel they had a direction connection with God

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25
Q

Arguments against miracles as proof that God exists

A

May be seen as coincidences or unusual/uncommon events
Science is constantly developing so miracle may be debunked in the future
It doesn’t have to be God

26
Q

Miracles Catholic beliefs

A

Method used by God for communication
Shows God’s love
Not unreasonable to see them today
Things people desire may not happen due to a bigger plan only God understands

27
Q

Numinous experience definition

A

Seeing something beautiful

Feeling God’s presence and being filled with awe and/or fear

28
Q

Why aren’t religious experiences seen as revelations

A

Jesus was the final and complete revelation

Private revelations are recognised by the Church

29
Q

How private revelations are interpreted

A

Secondary to the revelation of Jesus

Only provides insight to what’s already been revealed (no new revelations)

30
Q

Principle of Credulity

A

Richard Swinburne

Unless there is specific reason to question religious experience, it should be accepted that they are possible

31
Q

Why religious experiences may not be proof of God’s existence

A 
Laws of nature are unbreakable with evidence and miracles etc. contradict them 
Lack of evidence
Use of stimulants 
Hallucinations 
Subconscious wish fulfilment
32
Q

Catholic responses to question of proof of God’s existence

A

God is not bound by laws of nature as omnipotent
Faith doesn’t require proof or evidence
The Church don’t recognise religious experiences as private revelations lightly

33
Q

Classical design argument summary

A

Teleological argument
Much of the natural world appears to have deliberate order so there must be a designer
The designer is God

34
Q

Earliest record of teleological argument

A

Roman philosopher Cicero

“What could be more clear.. when we look up to the sky.. that there is some divinity”

35
Q

St Thomas Aquinas on teleological argument

A

Things that lack knowledge still have direction or purpose - must be guided by God
Arrow can’t know where to aim but archer gives it purpose

36
Q

Paley’s watch

A

William Paley
A watch is so complex that you don’t assume that it came together by chance
The universe and its order shouldn’t be seen as accidental but as something made with purpose

37
Q

Strengths of teleological argument

A

Based on own experience of design
Complements Christian view of God
Encourages scientific examination of universe

38
Q

How teleological argument complements Christian view of God

A

Suggests purpose for human lives, strengthening faith
Designer must be omnipotent and omniscient, supporting Catholic view of God
Provides complete explanation of design in universe

39
Q

How teleological argument encourage scientific examination of universe

A

Argument brings science and religion to argument
Encourages and deepens study of science and nature
Underlying rules of universe make sense if they were created by an intelligent designer

40
Q

Evidence against teleological argument

A

David Hume says universe is unique so can’t use an analogy to explain it
Evil exists
Richard Dawkins says people looking for order will see order (biased)
Evolutionary theory shows extinction (design failures)

41
Q

Catholic arguments against evidence against teleological argument

A

Experience and evidence can still be used to explain unique things
Humans can learn goodness from experiences of evil
Science and evidence support concept of order
Science suggests would could not exist without specific evolution so it must have been directed

42
Q

Cosmological argument summary

A

Cause and effect are key features of universe
There must be a first cause (prime mover)
Without first cause, chain of cause and effect would stretch backwards infinitely and illogically (infinite regress)

43
Q

Strengthens of cosmological argument

A

Based on own experience
More logical than believing in an infinite chain of cause and effect
Compatible with scientific evidence (Big Bag Theory)

44
Q

What cosmological argument reveals about God

A

His omnipotence as he has power to do all things

45
Q

Evidence against cosmological argument

A

Bertrand Russel says total explanation of everything is impossible (all explanations rely on other earlier explanations)
The universe is unique so there is nothing wrong to claim things existed without a cause
First cause doesn’t have to be God

46
Q

Why evil exists despite God being benevolent and omnipotent

A

Lactantius says God is also omniscient and knows that we can’t know good unless we know evil
Isaiah 45 says there is a reason for the suffering of good people that only God knows

47
Q

Inconsistent triad

A

God is omnipotent
God is benevolent
Evil exists
Any combination of two makes the third logically impossible

48
Q

Natural evil definition

A

Suffering that comes from natural events (humans can’t control)

49
Q

Natural evil examples

A

illness and disease

natural

50
Q

Why natural evil exists

A

Humans can’t know good without knowing evil

Ways to test faith

51
Q

Moral evil definition

A

Suffering caused from actions carried out by humans

52
Q

Moral evil examples

A

Murder
Terrorism
Arson

53
Q

Why moral evil exists

A

Price to pay for having true free will

54
Q

Main Catholic belief to evil

A

Evil is not a thing itself (just absence of good)

Evil is necessary to know good

55
Q

Book of Job’s response to evil

A

Reasons for suffering can’t always be understood by humans

“Should a faultfinder contend with the Almighty?” Job 40:2

56
Q

Psalms main teachings about evil

A

Christians can learn from previous suffering

“It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn thy statutes” Psalms 119:7

57
Q

St Irenaeus response to suffering

A

2 stages of humans
1) imago dei but incomplete
2) growing towards perfection by exercising free will
Evil is the best way for humans to develop

58
Q

St Augustine of Hippo response to suffering

A

Evil exists in the world as humans have abused free will and corrupted goodness
Humans should choose right actions to improve their soul

59
Q

Practical responses to evil

A

Prayer

Charity

60
Q

Why prayer helps against suffering

A

Shares suffering with God (sense of relief)

Prayers of intercession help those in suffering

61
Q

Why charity helps against suffering

A

Helping others is the same as helping Christ

Parable of Sheep and Goats says this those who help others will be rewarded with heaven

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