theme C rs p2

• what’s an atheist response to design argument 


  nature and science are responsible for world around us and so called design is the result of chance and natural selection
• what are the strengths of the design argument

  -the DA only comes up with probabilities so it can continue to develop as new discoveries in science come along

  -DA fits well with biblical stories of creation, whether they are understood symbolically or literally

  -some developments of the argument provide us ways for ideas about evolution and belief in the existence of God to work together
• what is the first cause argument

  By Thomas Aquinas, it argues there must be an uncaused cause that made everything else happen and that must be God because he is eternal. And that nothing moves 1st without being pushed
• what are arguments against the firsts cause?

  -If all things are caused, what caused God. -If God has always existed and is eternal then why cant the universe have always existed? -religious creation stories are just myths, not to be taken literally -big bang was random and spontaneous, not caused by God
• how can scientific explanation explain how God doesn’t exists

  Explains world and universe better than religion and discoveries of space make it difficult to think of anywhere God could be. Also science can explain natural disasters, there not acts of God or punishments and universe can be scientifically explained
• what are problems with miracles

  most miracles can be explained and seem unjust
• what’s the problem with evil and suffering

  if God is good he would want to get rid of this but it continues to disturb people
• what 2 types of miracles could jesus preform?

  nature and healing
• what are arguments for miracles

  -if theres no scientific proof it must come from God, many religious believers accept this. -christains believe God works through miracles and shows us signs from God to help us believe in him
• what are arguments against miracles (p1)

  -miracles are lucky coincidences -science may be able to explain it it the future -mind over matter, placebo effect can be why people believe there healed
• to christian’s what is god

  God is omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing), benevolent
• what’s a personal god

  has human characteristics and christains can form a relationship with them through prayer
• what’s a transcendent god

  exists beyond life on earth and is not limited to laws of physics - "for you, O lord and the most high on earth"
• what’s an immanent god

  active and involved in life on earth and can play a role in events that happen here. this could be through the holy spirit answering prayers
• what is an ultimate reality

  a supreme fundamental power thats eternal and unchanging
• what is the ultimate reality in buddhism

  the external truth of sunyata and nirvana that governs the universe
• what is the ultimate reality is christianity

  God is a personal being who is present in 3 forms through the holy spirit
• Arguments against miracles (p2)


  -doctors misdiagnose things -people fake things for personal gain. -why would God send miracles to some people but allow thousands to starve and die (like in the Holocaust)
• what can revelations lead to


  -people starting a new religion

  -people joining a religion

  -helps people to know what God wishes of them