belief in god Flashcards
(37 cards)
What is the main influence on belief in God
A religious upbringing is the biggest influence on whether someone believes in God
What are typical elements of a religious upbringing?
Initiation ceremonies, attending worship, participating in religious activities, praying, and attending faith schools.
Why does a religious upbringing often lead to belief in God
Authority figures (parents, teachers, religious leaders) influence children to adopt similar beliefs
What is a religious experience
An event that leads someone to believe in God or strengthens their belief.
Name the four types of religious experience
Miracles, numinous experiences, answers to prayer, and near-death experiences.
What is a miracle in religious terms
An event that appears to break natural laws or is highly improbable, attributed to God’s intervention
What does “numinous” mean
A feeling or awareness of the presence of God, often inspired by beauty, kindness, or worship.
How can prayer lead to belief in God
When prayers are answered, it can confirm or strengthen faith in God.
What is a near-death experience
A conscious experience during cardiac arrest, often involving out-of-body sensations and encounters with deceased loved ones
What is conversion in a religious context
A radical change in beliefs, often following a religious experience.
What is the argument from causation
The idea that everything has a cause, so the universe must have a first cause-God
What is the Kalam argument
- Everything that begins to exist has a cause; 2. The universe began to exist; 3. Therefore, the universe has a cause - God
What is the argument from design
Complexity and purpose in the universe imply a designer, just as a watch implies a watchmaker
Who is associated with the argument from design
William paley
What are the four main reasons for belief in God according to Edexcel
Religious upbringing, personal religious experience, argument from causation, and argument from design.
What is the first main reason some people do not believe in God
Scientific explanations for the origins of the world
How does science challenge belief in God
Theories like the Big Bang and evolution explain the universe and life without needing God
What is the second main reason for atheism discussed
The existence of evil and suffering
What is moral evil
Suffering caused by human actions, like murder.
What is natural evil?
Suffering caused by nature, like earthquakes or volcanoes
What is the “inconsistent triad”
The idea that God is all-loving, all-powerful, and evil exists-these three can’t all be true at once
Why does the existence of evil challenge belief in God
If God is all-loving and all-powerful, He would want and be able to prevent suffering, yet suffering exists
What is the third main reason for not believing in God
Unanswered prayer
2 ways unanswered prayer lead to atheism
1 If prayers aren’t answered, people may doubt God’s existence or care 2 Never experiencing a sense of God’s presence can lead to doubt.
