Religion, Enlightenment, and the existence of God

• Design argument


  An argument suggesting that proof of God's existence can be seen through the evidence of 'design' in the world; also known as the teleological argument
• Enlightenment


  A state of spiritual awakening and the gaining of a deeper understanding of reality
• Evil


  A cause of suffering; the moral opposite of good. Believed by some to be contrary to the will of God
• First cause argument


  An argument suggesting that God's existence can be proved by logical argument and the evidence of a universal chain of causes and effects. Therefore, the universe requires an uncaused cause at the start, which must be God
• General revelation


  Indirect revelation; the idea of being able to see something of God through nature and scriptures which are readily available in everyday experience
• Special revelation


  Direct revelation; God being revealed directly to an individual or group through experiences such as visions
• Revelation


  When God is revealed to humans; can be special or general
• Immanent


  A characteristic of God; the belief that God is present and involved in the world, (eg through special revelations/miracles)
• Personal


  A characteristic of God; belief that humans can build relationships with God
• Impersonal


  A characteristic of God; the belief that God is beyond human understanding
• Omnipotent


  All-powerful; believed by theists to be an attribute of God
• Omniscient


  All-knowing; believed by theists to be an attribute of God
• Transcendent


  A characteristic of God; belief that God is outside space and time
• Science


  The collection of knowledge from observation and testing
• Suffering


  An effect of evil; undergoing pain and hardship
• Ultimate reality


  Belief in a supreme and fundamental power in the universe. In Hinduism, Brahman is often referred to as the ultimate reality and supreme cosmic power
• Vision


  An experience of seeing/experiencing something in the imagination or through a dream
• Miracle


  An event that contradicts the laws of nature, and is usually thought to be impossible, (eg being raised from the dead)