Belief in God

Question 1

agnosticism

Answer 1

not being sure whether God exists

Question 2

atheism

Answer 2

believing that God does not exist

Question 3

conversion

Answer 3

when your life is changed by giving yourself to God

Question 4

free will

Answer 4

the idea that human beings are free to make their own choices

Question 5

miracle

Answer 5

something which seems to break a law of science and makes you think only God could have done it

Question 6

moral evil

Answer 6

actions done by humans which cause suffering

Question 7

natural evil

Answer 7

things which cause suffering but have nothing to do with humans

Question 8

numinous

Answer 8

the feeling of the presence of something greater than you

Question 9

omni-benevolent

Answer 9

the belief that God is all-good

Question 10

omnipotent

Answer 10

the belief that God is all-powerful

Question 11

omniscient

Answer 11

the belief that God knows everything that has happened and everything that is going to happen

Question 12

prayer

Answer 12

an attempt to contact God, usually through words

Question 13

religious upbringing

Answer 13

Bible stories and discussions
praying
festivals - importance of religion, suggests factual events
church and Sunday school - taught from religious viewpoint as being factual

Question 14

arguments for God’s existence

Answer 14

argument from causation
argument from design - not coincidence
moral argument - from one source
religious experiences

Question 15

arguments against God’s existence

Answer 15

Big Bang - expanding today
evolution and natural selection
unanswered prayers
inconsistent triad

Question 16

how unanswered prayers lead to disbelief in God

Answer 16

nobody there
no presence
suffering
a loving God - would respond

Question 17

how evil and suffering lead to disbelief in God

Answer 17

omni-benevolent
omnipotent
omniscient
unanswered prayers

Question 18

Christian responses to arguments against God’s existence

Answer 18

Creationism
Conservatism
Liberalism
evolution

Question 19

Christian responses to unanswered prayers

Answer 19

only selfless prayers
works indirectly
answers unexpectedly - knows what’s best
test of faith - ‘no’ is still an answer

Question 20

Christian responses to evil and suffering

Answer 20

life is a test - strengthen us
process theodicy - God only started creation process
free will
we are only human

Question 21

how religious experiences lead to belief in God

Answer 21

DIRECT EVIDENCE
numinous - spiritual emotion
miracles - God acts in the world
conversion - God purposely entered their life
prayers

Question 22

media (positive)

Answer 22

Songs of Praise
The Nativity Story - no questioning
Jesus: The Real Story - promotes story
Bruce Almighty - importance of having faith

Question 23

media (negative)

Answer 23

Simpsons
The Big Bang Theory
Only Fools and Horses
Richard Dawkins