unit 3 mini test

Question 1

give two examples of natural suffering

Answer 1

earthquakes and volcanoes

Question 2

give three examples of moral evil

Answer 2

murder, stealing and lying

Question 3

explain what one world religion teaches about the origin of evil?

Answer 3

Christianity
• God created humanity as all good.
• Fallen angels (Satan) tempted humanity to sin.
• Humanity in the Garden of Eden disobeyed God’s command.
• As a result, suffering and evil entered life.
•two origins satan and adam and eves misuse of freewill

Question 4

Explain what one religious tradition you have studied teaches about the purposes of suffering.

Answer 4

•Suffering is a test
• Suffering is a punishment for human sin – Judaism, Christianity and Islam all teach that Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden as a punishment for their sin.
• Suffering can bring strength and deeper faith.

the suffering caused by the famine. Romans 5:3–5 – “Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us”
• Suffering is intended to encourage humanity to freely choose the god

Question 5

The suffering of the innocent makes it impossible to believe in the existence of God.” Do you agree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer

Answer 5

AGREE
• the suffering of the innocent challenges belief in monotheism.
• Epicurus’ Inconsistent Triad explores this dilemma.
• The God of Classical theism is omnibenevolent, omnipotent and omniscient yet evil exists.
• While we might accept the suffering of the sinful as punishment for sin innocent suffering is harder to explain.
Disagree:
• If one is polytheistic this is less of a challenge.
• Sacred texts suggest responses for human suffering: as a test, a punishment for original sin.
• Religions present various theodicies to resolve this problem-Augustine’s theodicy+Irenaeus theodicy

Question 6

Religion is a great source of good in the world.”
Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer 6

AGREE:
• All religions promote the power of good over evil and many religious believers work to highlight and overcome injustice in the world – candidates may refer to religious individuals and organisations engaged in humanitarian work
• Most religions encourage devotees to suppress evil in their own lives and practice what is good, showing love towards humanity and generally setting an example of how to live in a way that pleases God. Candidates may refer to specific teachings, e.g. the law of karma, Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount.
DISAGREE
• Reference may be made to the fact that religion has historically been associated with warfare, e.g. the crusades, the sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland, terrorism associated with extreme forms of Islam
• Many people experience guilt if they do not live their lives in the manner they were taught through their religious up-bringing
• There is often great negativity and bitterness in the relationships between different world faiths, e.g. between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. In this sense religion can promote and encourage division, rather than harmony.