The Challenge of Secularism

• What is the main topic of this study material?

  The challenge of secularism in religion
• What does secularism challenge in relation to religion?

  Truth, morality, political power, and social benefit
• What is secularisation?

  The process of religion playing a smaller role
• What does theocracy/fundamentalism advocate?

  Religion should have total political power
• How does secularism view the relationship between religion and government?


  They should be separate
• What is militant atheism or anti-theism?

  Belief that religion is harmful to society
• According to Freud, what causes belief in religion?

  Fear of a chaotic, unpredictable world
• What does Freud suggest religion provides to believers?

  Comfort by projecting an order-providing God
• What does Freud mean by "religion is the process of unconscious wish fulfilment"?

  It fulfills psychological needs for order
• What does Freud argue should replace religious belief?

  A scientific understanding of the world
• How does Dawkins view religion?

  As irrational wishful thinking
• What does Dawkins argue about belief in supernatural beings?

  It is common due to psychological predispositions
• How does Dawkins compare religion to fairy stories?

  Both are unscientific and childish explanations
• What is McGrath's response to the analogy of religion with Santa Claus?

  Many adults convert to religion later in life
• What does McGrath argue about the motivations for religious belief?

  They include moral and spiritual guidance
• What does Freud suggest about questioning religious beliefs?

  It should be discouraged as an 11th commandment
• How does Dawkins view faith?

  As an excuse to evade critical thinking
• What story does Dawkins reference to illustrate his point about faith?

  The story of doubting Thomas
• What does McGrath argue about Aquinas' 5 ways?

  They show logical reasons to believe in God
• How does McGrath defend the rationality of religious belief?

  By showing logical arguments for God's existence
• What is the "God of the gaps" argument?

  Religion is irrational due to scientific ignorance
• How does McGrath respond to the "God of the gaps" argument?

  It is an outdated method of arguing for God
• What do modern Christian philosophers argue about science?

  Science cannot answer questions of purpose
• How does Dawkins view questions of purpose?

  He considers them silly and invalid
• What does Dawkins say about the limits of science?

  Some questions may remain unsolved
• What is militant atheism's stance on religion?

  It should be completely eliminated from society
• How does Hitchens view the nature of religion?

  It is a threat to freedom and community
• What does Hitchens argue about religious beliefs?

  They are arrogant and totalitarian
• How does McGrath critique Dawkins' view of religion?

  Dawkins unfairly generalizes from extremists
• What does Harris argue about moderate religious belief?

  It deserves criticism for enabling fundamentalism
• How does Dawkins view the role of moderate religion?

  It makes the world safe for fundamentalism
• How does McGrath characterize Dawkins' militant atheism?

  As a fundamentalist view in itself
• What does McGrath argue about Dawkins' use of quotes?

  He misattributes quotes without proper context
• What does McGrath conclude about Dawkins' engagement with Luther?

  It is inept and lacks evidence
• What do Dawkins and Harris argue about moderate religion?

  Moderate religion is partly responsible for fundamentalism.
• How does McGrath view Dawkins' atheism?

  He considers it a form of fundamentalism.
• What does McGrath say about the 'lunatic fringe'?

  It exists on both sides of the God debate.
• What quote did Dawkins misattribute to Tertullian?

  “We should believe because it is absurd.”
• What does McGrath suggest about Dawkins' source-checking?

  Dawkins fails to properly check his sources.
• What context does McGrath provide regarding Luther's concerns?

  Luther referred to salvation through faith alone.