The compatibility of science and religion Genesis 1 Other creation stories Stories of creation in fundamentalism The Big Bang and Steady State theory

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2 Areas of revision Revised Revised Tested Existence of God The existence of God The first cause arguments Arguments about the first cause argument The design argument Arguments about the design argument Religious experience Arguments about religious experience Accounts of religious experience How valid is the argument from religious experience for the existence of God? Faith Arguments against the existence of God and the nature of faith The characteristics of God God and images God in one form God in many forms Words used about God More words used about God father More words used about God King Should more inclusive words be used about God? The 99 names of Allah Words only used about God 1 and 2 Words that show God s closeness and distance Revelation and Enlightenment General revelation and revelation through nature General revelation through people General revelation: sacred texts Special revelation: prayer Special revelation: worship Special revelation: visions Special revelation: modern visions Special revelations: dreams Special revelation: enlightenment Revelation: reality and illusion The problem of evil The problem and evil and the existence of God Forms of evil: natural evil Forms of evil: moral evil The origins of evil: Adam and Eve The origins of evil: Iblis The existence and evil and suffering 1 and 2 The free will defence The concept of karma and the existence of evil Believers responses to evil and suffering Do people need evil and suffering? The compatibility of science and religion Genesis 1 Other creation stories Stories of creation in fundamentalism The Big Bang and Steady State theory

3 The role of God in creation Evolution The implication of evolution for humans The contrasting views of the place of humanity in creation from religious dimensions Fundamentalist views of evolution The Afterlife Evidence for and against the afterlife Eternal life Heaven, hell and paradise Reincarnation and rebirth Out-of-body and near-death experiences How belief in the afterlife affects this life Judaism, Christianity and Islam How belief in the afterlife affects this life Eastern religions Practice GCSE Questions: The Existence of God: 1. Explain how religious experience might be used to prove that God exists. (6 marks) 2. All religious experiences are just made up and cannot be used to prove anything. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have considered more than one point of view. (6 marks) 3. Explain what it meant by the design argument. (6 marks) 4. It is easier to believe in god than not to believe in God. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. (6 marks) The Characteristics of God: O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139: Explain why the above passage is a good example of God as immanent. (3 marks) 2. In what ways would a transcendent God be different from an immanent God? (3 marks) 3. It is limiting to think about God as only in one form. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. (6 marks) Revelation and Enlightenment: 1. Explain how sacred texts are seen as special revelation. (3 marks) 2. Explain why some people would reject the idea that God reveals himself to believers. (3 marks) 3. Revelations are only important for the individuals who get them. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have considered more than one point of view. You must refer to religious arguments in your answer. (6 marks) The Problem of Evil: 1. Explain how the existence of evil can make it difficult for people to understand the nature of God. (6 marks) 2. The stories about the origins of evil do a good job of dealing with the problem of evil. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. (6 marks) 3. (i) Explain how believers try to remove the effects of evil in the world. (ii) Explain why believers try to remove the effects of evil in the world. (6 marks0 4. Human free will needs evil to exist. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. (6 marks)

4 Science and Religion: 1. Describe how science explains the origins of the universe. (6 marks) 2. Science leaves no room for God in creation. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. (6 marks) 3. Explain how the religious accounts of creation give humanity a special place. (6 marks) 4. Evolution does not treat humanity as special. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to religious argument in your answer. (6 marks) The Afterlife: 1. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2 Explain what types of beliefs about life after death are shown in this passage. (3 marks) 2. Explain two pieces of evidence that people might put forward to justify belief in life after death. (4 marks) 3. Believers lives are not affected by what they believe about life after death. What do you think? Explain your answer. (3 marks) 4. Rebirth and reincarnation make sense of life after death. What do you think? Explain your answer. (3 marks)

5 Key words: Key word Agnostic Aquinas Argument from design Atheist Awe Cosmological Faith First Cause Paley Proof Religious Experience Teleological Theist Valid Vision Compassionate Eternal Father Forms Inclusive terms Immanent Impersonal King Merciful Monotheism Nature of God Parent Personal Polytheism Ruler Transcendent Enlightenment General revelation Revelation Special revelation Vision Definition The Existence of God A person who does not know if there is a God or not. Thomas Aquinas is the person who thought of the cosmological argument. A proof for the existence of God based on the idea that there is so much design and purpose in the universe that it could not happen by accident; there has to have been a designer God. Also called the teleological argument. A person who believes that there is no God. A feeling of great respect mixed with wonder. To do with the nature of the universe and used in particular with the cosmological argument that says there has to be a God to explain the existence of all things. Believing in something without proof. Also known as the cosmological argument. A proof for the existence of God based on the idea that there had to be an uncaused cause that made everything else happen otherwise there would be nothing now. William Paley the person who thought of the teleological argument. Evidence that guarantees the truth of something. An experience of God that cannot be explained. To do with design and order, particularly the attempt to prove the existence of God by showing that there is design and order in the universe. A person who believes that there is a God who is directly involved in creation. Something that supports the truth of a statement or fact. Seeing something, especially in a dream or a trance, that shows something about the nature of God or the afterlife. The Characteristics of God One of the qualities of God, showing concern for the sufferings of others; literally suffering with. Without limits in time; outside time. A name given to God to explain that he has qualities like a father. The different ways in which people picture God. Words that are not specific to a gender or a particular group. The idea that God is very close and is involved in what goes on in the world. He is not distant or uncaring. The idea that God is a force or abstract idea and cannot be described in human terms. A name given to God to show that he protect us, rules us, leads us and should be obeyed. A quality of God that stresses God s willingness to forgive the wrongdoer. The belief that there is only one God. The qualities that combine to make up what God is. An inclusive name for God to show he has the qualities of a parent. When used about God, the idea that God cares about the individual and is involved in the individual s life. The belief that there are many gods. An inclusive name for God to show that he has the qualities of someone who leads. The belief that God is beyond space and time, and that there are no limitations on what he can do. Revelation and Enlightenment The gaining of true knowledge, particularly in the Buddhist tradition, that frees a person from the cycle of rebirth by seeing what the truth about life really is. The belief that God can be known by anybody who is prepared to accept the idea that though creation, e.g. nature God shows his true nature. God shows himself to believers; this is the only way anybody can really know anything about God. God shows himself to an individual or group of individuals in a specific, direct way, as opposed to general revelation that anyone can know God. Seeing something, especially in a dream or trance, that shows something about the nature of God or the afterlife.

6 Evil Free will defence Karma Moral evil Natural evil Preparation Rebirth Reincarnation Soul-making Suffering Big Bang Compatibility Darwinian view Evolution Faith Fundamentalist Genesis Natural Selection Proof Steady state theory Valid Afterlife Heaven Hell Karma Near death experience Paradise Rebirth Reincarnation Resurrection The Problem of Evil The opposite of good. A force or a negative power that is seen in many traditions as destructive and against God. An argument to justify both the existence of a loving God and the existence of evil. It is based on the idea that what makes humans special is their ability to choose. For this to happen they have to live in a world in which things can, and do, go wrong. A belief in Hinduism and Buddhism that a person s good and bad actions in this life and in their previous lives contribute to the quality of future lives. The harm that results from a bad choice made by human beings misusing their free will. The harm or damage that is done to people and creation as a result of the forces of nature and the structure of the Earth (evil and suffering causes by nature e.g. earthquakes) Getting ready for the next stage or phase. In Buddhism the belief that after this life there is a continuity into a new life form that is affected by the karma gained so far. The Hindu belief that after this life the soul moves on to a new, usually bodily, form. The belief that suffering makes it possible for people to grow into more mature individuals. The experience of something bad and painful. The Compatibility of Science and Religion Many scientists think that the universe began with an explosion from which everything that makes up the universe came into being. When two or more different ideas can be used together without problems or tensions. Names after Charles Darwin who pioneered the idea of evolution; the idea that creatures have gradually changed and adapted to suit the environment, the survival of the fittest. The process made popular by Charles Darwin that describes how simpler life-forms gradually changed and adapted to more complex life forms. A commitment to something that goes beyond proof and knowledge, especially used about God and religion (believing in something without proof). A person who believes in the basics of a religion, particularly believing that what is contained in a sacred text is an accurate, almost factual, record that cannot be questioned. The book of the Bible that contains the Christian creation story. The method by which evolution works. Those creatures that are not able to adapt to the environment change or die out and those that adapt to the new conditions thrive. Evidence that guarantees the truth of something. An alternative to the Big Bang theory that says that the universe is infinite and constantly changes. Something that supports the truth of a statement or fact. Afterlife What happens to a person when the present life comes to an end. The state of eternal happiness in the presence of God that Christians believe will be granted to the faithful after this life. The state of eternal separation from God after this life. A belief in Hinduism and Buddhism that a person s good and bad actions in this life and in previous lives contribute to the quality of future lives. Some people, when they are close to death, claim to have had a sense of themselves leaving their bodies and seeing what exists beyond this life. The ideal place in which the faithful are rewarded for all eternity; a name used about heaven especially by Muslims. In Buddhism the belief that after this life there is a continuity into a new life form that is affected by the karma gained so far. The Hindu belief that after this life the soul moves on to a new, usually bodily, form. The Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead and entered into eternal life and that all souls will join this resurrection on the Last Day.

7 What do people believe? Theist: A person who believes there is a God. Atheist: A person who says there is no such as God. Agnostic: A person who does not know if there is a God. What is proof? Proof is the evidence that shows whether something is a fact or true. Proof should remove all doubt from someone mind. Proof is usually something that is physical e.g. something you can see with your own eyes or the result of a well-conducted experiment. Can the existence of God be proved? There are some problems with trying to prove the existence of God: - As human beings, we can only prove things with our senses: smell, sight, touch and so on. - God cannot be proved by humans using their senses because we cannot see God. - Evidence for the existence of God through a vision or through hearing God, is not really valid for other people. It is only valid for the person who has had the experience. - Some people argue that only logic and reason can show that God must exist. What do people believe about God? God is the Supreme Being who has no limits in time, space or power. For Jews, Christians and Muslims and other religions who only believe in one God (monotheistic religions), God is seen as the creator of the universe. Some of the terms used about God include omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (allknowing), and benevolent (all-loving). Cosmological is to do with the nature of the universe and used in particular with the cosmological argument that says there has to be a God to explain the existence of all things in the universe. THE FIRST CAUSE ARGUMENT (THE COSMOLOGICAL ARGUMENT St Thomas Aquinas believed he could prove that God exists. God is the UNCAUSED CAUSE: 1. Everything which exists has a cause 2. The universe exists 3. Therefore... The universe has a cause 4. That cause must be God 5. Therefore God exists and is the First Cause. God is a NECESSARY BEING: 1. Everything comes into being and then goes out of being (either death or destroyed). 2. But this means there must have been a time when nothing existed. 3. If there was nothing then something cannot come from nothing. 4. Therefore something must have always existed. This is called God. God is the UNMOVED MOVER: 1. We see things moving. 2. Things do not move by themselves but have to be moved by something else. 3. However, everything that moves has to be moved by something that existed before it. 4. There must be something that started all of the movement in the universe that is not moved by anything else. 5. God is the being that moves everything but is not moved by anything else.

8 Arguments in favour of the first cause argument: - People thing that the first cause argument can help to explain where the big bang came from. - Supports Genesis that God created the world. - Can explain the how evolution happened God caused evolution to happen. - We can see evidence of causes in the world around us so it makes sense that the universe has a cause. Arguments against the first cause argument: - Just because we thing of things having a cause, doesn t mean we have to apply this to the whole universe. - Things outside our world and universe might work differently. - Some people believe the universe needs a cause but they are happy to believe that God doesn t need a cause. - If everything has a cause, who caused God? The Design Argument (The Teleological Argument) Does the first cause argument lead to belief in one God? Some people do not think that it is wrong to assume that the first cause is a caring, personal God. Some people cannot accept that God is eternal (infinite) and so cannot believe that God is the first cause. Some people believe that God is the first cause and that this explains how the big bang and evolution happened. St Thomas Aquinas Design Argument says that an arrow will not hit a target by itself, it needs someone to intend to shoot it towards the target. In the same way the whole universe needs an intelligent designer for there to be order and purpose within it. If you came across a watch in an uninhabited place, you could not say it had been put there by chance. The complexity of its mechanism would make you say it had a designer. The universe is a far more complex mechanism than a watch, and so it a watch needs a watchmaker, the universe needs a universe maker. As the only being that could design the universe would be God, it follows that God must exist Paley argued that there is evidence of design in the world. Just like a watch needs a watchmaker, the universe also needs a designer. Paley said that the universe must have been created by an intelligent designer.

9 Arguments in favour of the design argument: - Some people believe there is order in the universe e.g. the way animals cooperate to produce balance in nature, which is important for the survival of the whole species. - There is just the right balance of chemicals in the air and earth to allow for the evolution and development of human beings, which suggests there is design. Examples of religious experiences: Arguments against the design argument: - Some people argue that if the world was designed by God then there would be no evil and suffering, why would a designer create bad things? - Some people think that everything that happens is random and that there is no order to the universe. - Some people believe evolution explains how we have developed. The Vision of Bernadette: On a cold February day in 1859, Bernadette was asked by her mother to go down to the river to collect driftwood and fallen branches for the fire. She was with two younger children. When they got to the water, the two younger girls crossed, but Bernadette dawdled on the river bank, removing her stockings to prepare herself for crossing the river. Suddenly Bernadette heard a sound like a rush of wind. She looked around her and saw a golden cloud gradually float down from a nearby cave to reveal a beautiful young lady within it. The lady sat upon a rock and smiled at Bernadette, her eyes blue and gentle. She wore a soft white robe with a girdle of blue around her waist and her hair was partially covered by a long white veil. Bernadette s fear was calmed by the lady s beautiful smile, and she walked towards her, and then knelt in reverence. Bernadette was a religious girl, and took her rosary from her pocket to say her prayers, as she so often did when she felt unsettled. The mysterious lady also produced a rosary and as Bernadette prayed; she passed the large white beads between her fingers along with her, not speaking, except to repeat the word Gloria with Bernadette. When the prayers were finished, the lady and the glowing cloud around her disappeared into the cave and Bernadette was left alone. Bernadette remained kneeling, a peaceful faraway look on her face, for some time, until the other girls returned looking for her. As they started on their way home, Bernadette excitedly told them what had happened, asking them not to tell anyone else about it. After this the lady appeared on another seventeen occasions Faith is a commitment to something that cannot be totally proved but that is not contrary to the facts. Faith is a different type of thing to knowledge. Faith is a leap into the unknown and unknowable. Knowledge is based on facts, or The Transfiguration: Mark 9:2-8 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. He did not know what to say, they were so frightened. Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him! Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. Arguments for religious experiences Religious Experience: A religious experience is the experience of God in your life. There are four different types of religious experiences: - Miracle something that breaks the laws of nature. - Numinous the feeling of the presence of someone greater than you. - Prayer communicating with God. - Conversion when your life is changed by giving your life to God. - So many people have experiences they must be true. - Religious experiences happen to all different types of people not If the thing that was believed in was just certain types of people. shown to be a fact, then it would no longer be a matter of faith. For example, if the Loch Ness Monster Arguments against religious experience - There is no evidence that the people who say that they have religious experiences are telling the truth. There are examples of faith in the Bible - Why does God not appear to but there are everyone? also stories and modern say examples of people having faith believing in God even though they cannot

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11 Jews, Christians and Muslims believe in ONE GOD in one form. Christians believe that God reveals himself to us in three different ways: - The Father = the creator - The Son = Jesus who died on the cross for us. - The Holy Spirit = God in the world today. Hindus belief in one God, Brahman. Brahman can be seen in many forms. Hindus believe in the Trimurti three different gods that show a different part of the nature of Brahman. The Trimurti is made up of Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the sustainer) and Shiva (the destroyer). There are lots of gods and goddesses in Hinduism that show the different aspects of Brahman and Hindus worship the one that means most to them. Jews were the first people to believe in only one God. Because God is so holy, Jews never write it in full. God cannot be shown in any paintings or statues. Jews call God Yahweh but write Y-hw-h. God called himself I AM when he spoke to Moses. Muslims believe in one God. There statement of faith says There is no God but Allah. God is so different to us as humans that we cannot portray God in any way e.g. paintings, statues, drama. Mosques are also not decorated because it can distract from Allah. Christians believe in one God. Christians believe that God came down to earth in the person of Jesus. Christians believe in the Trinity Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is involved in the world not distant. Christians have no problem with paintings, statues and dramas about God (the Father and Jesus) because they help us to understand the nature of God. Some Christians believe images of God break the commandment Do not worship false idols. What do all these beliefs have in common? All religions use words or images to show their understanding of God. All religions are trying to make sense of something that cannot be limited. All religions, whether believing that God is in one form or many, are trying to explain the nature of God.

12 He: In early societies God was called He because the man was the strong protector and the provider. The belief that God is a male makes it easier for people to relate to God. He is also called He in the Bible. In English we call people or objects he, she or it. Many people think it would be wrong to call God it as it suggests we cannot have a relationship with God. In Hinduism there are female gods but they have a male partner, so the female god is not separate but a pair. All-powerful: God is omnipotent (all-powerful) this means he can do anything. Some people argue that God cannot do anything- for example he cannot make a square circle but then a square circle could never exist! All-powerful means that God is the source of all things and nothing can exist without him. Some people think the problem of evil proves that God is not all-powerful. All-merciful: This is a name used by Muslims but also shows the idea that God is forgiving and this is something all religions believe. Mercy is a willingness to let people off for what they have done wrong. God is willing to forgive us and this is shown the Forgiving Father parable. Being all-merciful also shows us that God is all-loving because he is willing to forgive. All-loving: God is benevolent (all-loving) means that God cares for his creation. Love means wanting good for another person. God shows that he wants good for us through creation this is how he shares his love. God is totally self-giving of himself to us. For example he sent Jesus to die because he loves us so much. Therefore, God is all-loving. Father: In the Old Testament God is referred to as a parent because he called his people sons. In Isaiah God is called Father But you are our father. In the Old Testament Jews recognise that God shows care and love like a father. In the New Testament Jesus called God father Jesus said, I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth. When Jesus was praying before his arrest he said My Father, take this cup of suffering Jesus taught his disciples to pray the Our Father showing a personal and intimate relationship with God like a Father and his child. It also makes us feel like God is involved in creation and cares for us, watches over us and responds to us. The Truth: Sikhs call God The Truth because they think this is the only name that can truly fit with him. Sikhs believe that God never changes and therefore he is always true. Sikhs statement of faith says One Universal Creator God, The Name Is Truth.

13 All-knowing: All-knowing (omniscient) means that God is aware of everything that happens. This means there is nothing we do that God is not fully aware of. However, for some people this means that we do not have true free will because God already knows what we will do. So some people believe that God can limit his knowledge of the future so that we can shape our own future. All-compassionate: This is a name that Muslims give to God and it is an idea that expresses the understanding of God by most religions. Compassion means that God is aware of human weakness and is concerned for the problems that these weaknesses create for people. A compassionate God shares with and supports us. God is involved in everything that is happening to us. King: In the Old Testament God is called King by the Jews The Lord reigns.. and The Lord, the King of Israel.. In the New Testament Jesus is called King and his kingdom is referred to Then the thief said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. When Jesus is arrested Pilate asked Jesus You are a king, then! and Jesus said he was right. The role of the king was to protect his people, govern them (set laws), lead them in battle against the enemy and to be obeyed. God has these qualities he guides and protects, leads his people against evil (the enemy), lays down laws e.g. the 10 Commandments. Although many countries do not have a king anymore, people keep the idea to help them to talk about God. Some people think more inclusive names like parent and ruler should be used for God. Should more inclusive names be used about God? Yes Some people can get the wrong impression if words like father or king are used. Some people might not have had a positive experience of a father and so to call God father is not positive. King is old-fashioned and many countries have no king so people don t know what it means to call God king. No God has always been called father and so this should not be changed. Even if people have had a negative father experience, everyone knows what it means to be a good father. The Bible shows what it means to call God father. Other words might not mean the same thing. Parent Calling God parent would help people focus on the loving qualities of a father and a mother, without using sexist language. It would help people to stop seeing God as a male and not as loving as a mother. Ruler A ruler is someone who guides, protects and lays down the law for those in his care. God does this and therefore ruler is a better word to use. However, ruler is not a part of our everyday vocabulary. There are also many examples of bad rulers so calling God ruler can be seen as bad.

14 Evidence of God being immanent and personal. Answered prayers God has answered prayers Religious experiences an experience of God s presence. Believing a miracle has happened. Evidence of God being transcendant and impersonal When we pray to God but feel that our prayers have not been answered. Evil and suffering suggest that an allloving, all-powerful, allknowing God is not directly involved in the world.

15 Revelation means God shows himself to believers: this is the only way anybody can really know anything about God. General revelation means that God can be known by anybody who is prepared to accept the idea that through creation e.g. nature, God shows his true nature. When God reveals himself this helps people to make sense of what God is telling humans about himself. The more God reveals himself the more we can get to know him. We can see what God is like through people. Nature and the universe are dependent on God who is greater and reflect God The wind, night sky, vastness of the universe are a reflection of tehe greatness of God. We can know God through creation General revelation through nature Nature tells us someithing about God Creation is the work of God It shows his power and his ability to create General Revelation We have qualities that are like God but they are not as perfect as God s qualities. We can know what God is like by looking at the qualities of other people People like Maximilian Koble and Mother Teresa show God's love God reveals himself to us through other people. Genesis tells us humans were made in God's image General revelation through people Humans share in the qualities of God. Our qualities are a reflection of God. God reveals himself to us through nature. We can know what God is like through nature. Some qualities are perfect and must belong to the nature of God. Truth, Forgiveness, Justice They are limited by humans and show the true nature of God. Love can be seen in the world e.g. a mother's love for her child. Love is a qualitiy tha reflects God.

16 Sacred Texts: Religions believe that God revealed what he wanted to be passed on to specific people. For example, Muslims believe God revealed the Qur an to Muhammad. Hindu s believe their Holy Book (the Vedas) have no human author but were seen in visions by priests. Jews believe God revealed his law to Moses on Mount Sinai e.g The 10 Commandments and so follow the Torah exactly. The Buddhism scriptures are the teachings of the Buddha and do not have the same sacred (holy feeling) that other religious texts have. For Christians the Bible in the word of God and God directed people or inspired people to write down his word. The Qur an was revealed to Muhammad who recited it and then wrote it down. It is the word of God. For Sikhs the Guru Granth Sahib has teachings of the 10 Gurus as well as teachings from Hindu and Muslim writers. It is treated like a human being. Interpreting the sacred texts: FUNDAMENTALIST: Read the texts literally because they are the direct word of God. They try to live according to what is written down in the text regardless of when the text was written down. They do not question the sacred texts. LIBERAL: The texts come from God but were written down by human beings in a very specific time and social setting, so reflects the true word of God but in a way that could be understood by people at time. They do not follow the laws literally. They do not question the truth but they question how modern society should follow the teachings and interpret them. Prayer: Prayer is an opening up of the heart and mind to God. This allows God o reveal himself to the person praying, as there is an acceptance of the presence and reality of God. Forms of prayer: Silent prayer: being still in the presence of God. Not speaking but simply sitting at peace and letting their presence express their faith in God. Meditation: Similar to silent prayer. A person empties their mind from all distractions to focus on God. Communal prayer: When a group of believers pray together, often using a set format. Liturgical prayer: Prayer that follows a set format and lead by a religious leader e.g. Mass in the Roman Catholic Church. Repetition of a phrase: Short sayings that the believer repeats and that help them to think about the central principles of faith. E.g. Sikhs use the Ik Onkar. Prayer through physical posture: Many believers take a special position e.g. Muslims go through a whole series of movements when praying to show the whole person is involved. Worship: Worship is an act of religious praise, honour or devotion to show that God is important. Only God should be worshipped. If anyone else is worshipped it is breaking the commandment Do not worship false idols. Worship can take many forms e.g. going to a place of worship (on a Sunday for Christians, Saturday for Jews and on Friday for Muslims), taking care of a shrine at home (Hindus have a shrine at home dedicated to one of the gods or goddesses, Sikhs uncover the Guru Granth Sahib to wake it up). Worship can include living by the laws of God all the time. Worship can be done individually or as part of a group. Worship can help us to get a better understanding of God and to accept God into our lives. However some people think it is pointless because God doesn t exist, because if God is perfect there is nothing we can do that will make any difference to God and the only person to get anything from worship is the person doing the worshipping.

17 Visions: A vision is an experience that comes from outside in image or picture form. The person believes that they are seeing or hearing someone (usually) that no one can see. The vision usually has a deep meaning for the person receiving it and enables them to become aware of a reality in a new way. There are many visions in the Bible e.g. Isaiah 6:1-10 and Acts 10:9-16. In Acts Peter has a vision. Before this Peter was concerned with eating Kosher food and did not allow non-jewish people to join Christianity. In the vision God spoke to Peter telling him that nothing that God mad clean was impure. After this the early Christians started to eat all meats and allowed non- Jewish people to join the faith. Modern visions: Visions have been recorded throughout history. One of the most famous visions are the visions Bernadette has in Lourdes of the Virgin Mary. The full story of Bernadette s vision is under the Existence of God revision Religious Experiences. Bernadette saw Mary 17 times and prayed the Rosary with her. Mary told Bernadette she was the Immaculate Conception, a term that had not been used in the Church yet so Bernadette couldn t have known this phrase any other way. It is difficult for a person to explain their vision (remember with religious experiences it is difficult to express the feeling or experience). Many people don t believe the vision because only the individual saw it. They think there is some other explanation like drugs or alcohol. They think that there is no guarantee it was actually God or that it is not just an over-active imagination. Dreams: Enlightenment: Dreams are a series of thoughts, images and sensations occurring in a person s mind during sleep. There are some dreams that can make a deep impression on the person dreaming and, as with visions, they might give the dreamer new insights into reality and into God. The dreams can give a new direction to a person s life. For these dreams to be valid, they need to free from any artificial stimulus e.g. drugs and alcohol. In Genesis 28:12-17 Jacob had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven and the angels of God were on it. God was at the top and said that he would give Jacob and his descendants land. When Jacob woke he knew God had been there. He Pharaoh had a dream in Genesis 41: Some people question if dreams are real because it is impossible to know how accurately the person remembers it. As with visions and religious experiences it is difficult to explain the dream to others. Enlightenment refers to the attaining of spiritual insight. Buddhists are trying to reach enlightenment. To reach enlightenment a person needs to look beyond this world and look to the eternal world. Once this has been achieved the person will be free from the cycle of rebirth (reincarnation). Enlightenment helps a person to see what lies beyond all things in this world. The Buddha became enlightened. He was called Siddhartha Gautama lived in 563BCE (before Jesus). He was kept in the Castle grounds so that he would not see suffering. When he finally left he saw four signs of suffering: poverty, sickness, old age and death. He left the Castle and meditated under a tree where he reached enlightenment. He was a normal human.

18 Illusion An illusion is something that is seen which is false. Some people think that God and religion are based on an illusion. People who think this give the following reasons to explain why people believe in God and claim to have religious experiences. God is only what society demands of people Some people think God is just there to have the qualities that humans strive for and to give us something to hope for. A philosopher called Ludwig Feuerbach believed this. People think the qualities that humans give to God gives them an insight into what is important to humans. However, there could be an ultimate quality set by God that we are striving for. The future of an illusion God is only human qualities on a bigger scale Some people think that the qualities given to God are those that we try to encourage in society. Some people think that leaders want the lower classes to obey rules and so say that they are part of their religion. This will make them less likely to go against the way the leaders want them to live. Sociologists think like this. However, some people think that religion actually challenges society and does not support it e.g. religion is against laws like allowing abortion. The psychologist, Sigmund Freud, claimed that people hide behind religious to avoid having to face up to the realities of life. Freud said that God was invented by humans who wanted to avoid taking responsibility for their actions because they could blame God for their actions instead. Religion might help with problems but it doesn t prove that religion isn t real. Is God a reality? Despite what people have said against religion, religion is not dying in the world. There might be a change of emphasis away from organised religion but there is a great focus on the spiritual side of life throughout the world. This would suggest that there is some type of absolute being, even though its existence cannot be proved.

19 What is the problem of evil? God is all-powerful, God is all-loving, God is all-knowing. Evil exists People argue that God is all-powerful, all-loving and all-knowing then he wouldn t allow evil to exist. What does Genesis mean? Evil entered the world because Adam and Eve were tempted by the serpent. Natural evil: the harm or damage caused to people and creation because of nature e.g. earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis. Moral evil: Evil caused by the actions of humans e.g. the Holocaust. The story is not about something that happened in the past but something that is happening every day. God provided everything that humans need to be happy and he gives them one very special gift: the gift of freedom, means that Adam and Eve have a choice. The serpent stresses what Adam and Eve are not allowed to do. No one likes to be told what to do so Adam and Eve assert their independence from God. God allows Adam and Eve to acknowledge what they have done. Then he lets them live with the consequences of their decision: they cannot expect God to provide everything they want. They now have to look after themselves and they will find it difficult. Adam means man (as in mankind). God provides everything that humans need to be happy and he gives them one very special gift: the gift of free will. This is shown by his request for Adam and Eve not to ear the fruit of one particular tree. Adam and Eve have a choice: they are not just God s puppets, always doing what he wants. The serpent phrases his question in such a way that it stresses what Adam and Eve are not allowed to do, and because no one likes to be told what to do they make the choice not to do what God has asked them to. Christianity: The Fall of Man St Augustine said that evil exists because of the fall of humans in Genesis 3:1-24. In the story God told Adam and Eve not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The serpent came along and asked Eve if this were true, she said yes. The serpent said that God had only given this comment because if they eat the fruit they will become like God. So Eve ate from the tree and convinced Adam to eat from it to. As soon as they had eaten it they realised they were naked and sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. When God looked for them they were hiding in the Garden because they were ashamed. They told God what had happened. God said that Eve would suffer pain in child birth, Adam would have to toil and the serpent would crawl on his belly. God then threw then out of the Garden of Eden. Once God had allowed them to acknowledge what they had done and lets them have they want to be independent from God, they cannot expect God to provide everything they want anymore. They now have to look after themselves and they will find it difficult. By giving them clothes before throwing them out of the garden, God shows that he stills cares for Adam and Eve.

20 Islam: Iblis Muslims believe that evil entered the world because of Iblis. Iblis was an angel of the Lord. When Allah created Adam he told the angels to prostrate to Adam but Iblis refused. When Allah asked him why he refused, Iblis said he was better than Adam because Adam was made from clay and he was made from fire. In this story from the Qur an the angel Iblis refused to bow down before mankind as Allah wished and so Iblis is sent from heaven. Iblis now travels around the world getting people to reject Allah and to join Iblis in hell. Iblis is Satan and leads Adam and Eve astray. They eat from the tree that Allah commanded them no to. Adam and Eve turn to Allah to ask for forgiveness. Both the Bible and the Qur an see God as the creator of all that is good. God did not want evil in the world and it is a misuse of free will. God allows evil but does not will it. God is not to blame for evil. Allah said that Iblis was disgraced and expelled him from Paradise. Iblis said that he will tempt humans and they will not be thankful so Allah said he would fill Hell with all those not thankful. Adam and Eve were in paradise but were tempted by Iblis (Satan)and they ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Arguments for the need for evil 1: Humans need a contrast We need bad to show us what is meant by good Allah sent them to earth and there they shall live and die and from it they will be resurrected. Why does evil exist? Evil is necessary so that we know good and so that we can choose good It would be impossible to value one thing over another, as there would be nothing to judge against Humans need a contrast If nothing went wrong then life would have no meaning - we wouldn't know what good and bad meant. If everything was the same, we would have no understanding of anything

21 Arguments for the need for evil 2: God only created the good Why does evil exist? Genesis tells us everything God made was good God gave humans free will and humans used it to do what they wanted not what God wanted The world as a place of preparation: Evil is not God's will but he accepted it so that humans have true free will Evil exists because of humans not because of God. It was the choice humans made not God God only created the good Evil is the absence of good. God wants a good world but the world has been ruined because we fail to reach God's standard Christians this life is a preparation for the afterlife in heaven. God couldn't make bad because evil is not part of his nature People who struggle with the demands of life become more complete human beings Soul making means that we can develop and become stronger as we react to experience Life is about developing and we need to experience things to learn and grow. We need to experience good and bad things to be able to develo, This life is a preparation for the next life and we need to lean now in order to make better choices in the future If we cannot make choices between good and evil we can never appreciate what God offers us in the afterlife. Other religions believe we need evil for the next life e.g. karma for reincarnation We need evil to grow as mature people. This is called soulmaking We can only learn by making mistakes and seeing the mistakes that others make.

22 The Freewill Defence: The Freewill defence is an argument to justify both the existence of a loving God and the existence of evil. It is based on the idea that what makes humans special is their ability to choose. For this to happen they have to live in a world in which things can, and do, go wrong. We must be totally free to love God or to reject the love of God. This means that God cannot interfere with the choses that people make because this would stop humans from being free. If God interfered he would be taking over the running of our lives. This does not mean that God does not have the power to intervene but that if he used this power then he would be interfering with people s freedom. This can also explain natural evil. If people lived in a world where unexpected disasters did not happen, then there would be no opportunity for people to take responsibility for their actions. Freedom not only means being about to choose, but also being able to accept the consequences. If unexpected things did not happen then life would be predictable and we would not have the freedom to act and ensure that we are not harmed or to help those who are harmed. The concept of Karma and the existence of evil: Karma is a belief in Hinduism and Buddhism that a person s good and bad actions in this life and in previous lives contribute to the quality of future lives. Karma is the law of consequences. It plays a large part in the beliefs about the cycle of reincarnation and rebirth. Every action is seen to produce either good or bad results (consequences) for the person who performs the action. These consequences will come into play at some stage, maybe at a later point in this life or possibly in the next reincarnation. Good actions have good consequences and bad actions have evil consequences. Good karma will lead to a positive result in the next life and bad karma leads to a negative result in the next life. Karma is not seen as reward and punishment, but the inevitable consequences of actions. For there to be consequences to our actions there has to be the possibility of bad actions. If people could only do good actions then their actions could not really be called good and therefore, they should not have good consequences to their actions. Suffering is the consequence of bad actions. Evil brings about suffering and this helps to show a contrast between good and bad actions. In Hinduism the challenge is to escape the cycle of reincarnation but in order to do this good karma needs to be built up. Once they break the cycle there is no more evil and suffering. For Sikhs karma is the law that brings back the results of actions to the person doing them; so a good action leads to some kind of reward and a bad action leads to suffering. In Buddhism suffering affects every life. The faithful Buddhist tries to live a life free from negative qualities to reach true enlightenment. Then there is no more karma. Rebirth and reincarnation means that people experience all of the good and bad things that life has to offer them and that by the time they escape the cycle everyone has had the same experience of good and bad.

23 How do believers respond to evil and suffering? Help homeless people like the St Vincent De Paul Society All all religions the faithful are called to help people in need. They feel that doing something is better than doing nothing Respect for fellow human beings and a belief that everyone is equal makes people want to act to help those who are suffering. Some people help those in need to build up good karma or to gain a reward in heaven. Most believers help because they want to change things. Jesus taught that we should help those in need (The Good Samaritan and The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats). Do we need evil and suffering in the world? Help the victims of famine and disaster like CAFOD do Gandi tried to remove social inequality in India. Religious responses to evil and suffering: People can help the outcasts of society like Mother Teresa did. God is loving and doesn't want to see suffering so we should help those in need - Buddhists see suffering as a part of life that needs to be dealt with and not ignored. - Christians believe that God understands our suffering because Jesus suffered when he died on the cross. Jesus taught us to help those in need. - Muslims believe that we need to help those in need and give 2.5% of their earnings to charity. This is one of the 5 Pillars of their faith and is called Zakat. - Religious people try to find a solution for the problem of evil. However, we cannot stop evil and all we can is help those who are suffering to try to reduce the effects of evil. Yes we need evil and suffering in the world - Without evil and suffering we would not be able to help those in need. This would mean that we would become shallow and selfish. - We would not know what good and bad is without suffering. - By helping those in need we can learn and develop by the experience we have. No we do not need evil and suffering in the world - In the UK we are among 20% of the world s population that uses 80% of the world s resources. But we do not realise this and unless major disasters are reported then we do not think about those who are less well-off. So even with suffering we can be selfish and not think of others if we don t know it is happening. - There are people who do not help even when they know people are suffering. - Suffering causes pain and no one wants to be in pain.

24 Genesis is a poem based on seven days. The story was probably written down about 450 BCE and it reflects the idea that God is all powerful, creating by his word only. All things that God makes are good. Mankind is the high point of creation as everything is made ready for man. Man was created in the image of God. Hindu creation story: The Hindu creation story reflects the idea that the gods are involved in creation. Creation is a thing of harmony and beauty, not a think of violence and hardship. Creation is made to enable human beings to live as an integral part of the whole, not as an abuser of the gifts of the gods. All creation must be treated with respect. - Before creation there was no heaven, earth or sky, only nothingness. - A great snake floated on top of the sea, protecting Lord Vishnu. - Suddenly a deep humming sound began to vibrate the seas with a low Aum. - The sound soon spread across the nothingness, rumbling and filling it with sound and motion. - Vishnu awoke. As the dawn broke, the petals of a lotus flower bloomed in Vishnu s navel, revealing Brahma sitting in the middle. Vishnu said to Brahma, It is time to begin. - At Vishnu s command a wind swept the waters. He and the snake vanished leaving Brahma floating on the lotus flower. - Brahma broke the flower into 3 pieces creating the heavens, the earth and the skies. He created grass, flowers, trees and plants. He gave each of these feeling. - Next he created animals for the land, birds for the air and fish for the sea and gave to each creature senses.

25 Fundamentalists are people who believe in the basics of a religion. They believe that what is contained in the sacred texts is an accurate and almost factual record that cannot be questioned. Creationists believe that the Bible was created in 6 24 hour days. Fundamentalists reject scientific beliefs like the Big Bang and Evolution because it is not in the Bible Want to go back to the fundamentals of the faith Fundamentalists Sacred texts are holy because they come from God. No human being can reject God's word The role of God in religious stories of creation: The stories tell us God is the creator and gave humans a special role in creation. They focus on the relationship between God and humanity. Look for the meaning behind creation. Not written to be factual or historical. Tell us that God made everything, he made everything to be good and humanity is the high point of his creation. Without God, life has no value. Intelligent design: Fundamentalist believers who accept that there have been changed and mutations over the ages. Rejects any random change like evolution. God directs these changed to bring variations in creation. God is the intelligence behind design, the one who is driving change forward. Genesis is the word of God and should not be questioned. But 1 day could be a period of time not 24 hours. Christian fundamentalists read Genesis literally. The Holy Spirit inspired the writers The sacred texts must be followed Fundamentalists reject evolution because they accept that everything written in the Bible is correct AND they support the idea of intelligent design. They believe everything in the Bible is true. Evolution is contradicting the word of God. The Bible was given by God and so provides scientific truth. God has let us know the truth and we do not need to search anywhere else.

26 The role of God in these theories: Science can explain the steps they take to find their theories and so have to be correct. There is no need for God. However, some people think that science is based on ideas and needs support and sometimes the evidence doesn t support the theory. Some scientists believe that God created the Big Bang and there are no contradictions between God and science. Science cannot always explain why things happen. God is the explanation. A common question asked by believers is Where did the material that created the Big Bang come from? Believers would answer God. Things just happened by themselves All agree that one day life on earth will not sustained The laws of science govern the universe Some thing the universe will collapse in on itself What do these theories suggest about the universe? Some believe God caused the BigBang Some scientists thing tha universe will carry on growing But the theories do not need God

27 Evolution- The theory that all species change over time as only those with the features to survive their environment live long enough to breed and pass on their features to the next generation. Charles Darwin travelled the world on the HMS Beagle. When he was on the Galapago Islands he noticed that the finches on each island had differences, on one island they had short, heavy bills while others had think, delicate bills. Darwin published a book called On the Origin of Species and he explained his theory of evolution in it. Natural Selection is also called the survival of the fittest. It means that only the creatures with the adaptations to help them in their environment survive. Those who do not adapt die out. Fossil records contain a large number of species that have not survived. Arguments for evolution - God could have used evolution to create animals. - There is evidence for evolution in fossil records. Arguments against evolution - There are gaps in the fossil records. Evolution takes place over a long period of time and so the gaps are filled with hypothesis. - Some people say that the complexity of animals shows a special creation not evolution. - Evolution undermines a perfect God. God would not let his creation change so much. According to evolution all animals come from a common starting point. As genetic changes took place and as animals responded to changed conditions, the different species emerged. Human beings and chimpanzees had a common ancestor that lived in Africa 7.5 million years ago. This ancestor s descendants split into two different lines: chimpanzees and human beings. This process took a long time and humans only started looking like they did 200,000 years ago. Positive The implications of Darwin s theory for humanity The race as a whole is important not just the individual. Each person contributes to the race by passing on his or her genes. Every individual is essential within the human race. The way we treat each other is important because it shows we value the human race. Negative Humans are just another animal The creation of humans was just a lucky genetic mutation Humans have no more right to the earth than any other animal. Human life has no value apart from the short time each individual is alive.

28 The contrasting view of the role of humanity as shown in creation stories Believe Monotheistic religions believe in only one God Judaism, Christianity and Islam and monotheistic religions. Polytheistic religions believe in more than one God many believe that Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. Humans were given power to look after the earth Humans are made in the image of God We have qualities that reflect God e,g, love Humans were given the power to name the animals Beliefs in monotheistic religions God breathed life into humans so we share in his life force Both believe in karma and good karma leads to human life. God gave humans free will and did not give it to any other animal God told humans to multiply and fill the earth The value of humans is how they deal with this life now. Beliefs in Hinduism and Buddhism Humans are on the higher plane of life, so can make choices and live with the consequences of their choices Those humans who have bad karma might come back as an animal so animals are below humans Animals cannot escape the cycles of rebirth and reincarnation.

29 Why do people believe in an afterlife? Life seems unfair bad things happen to good people and some bad people do well. There has to an afterlife for good people to be rewarded and bad people to be punished. People seem to be aware of a deeper aspect to life. Why would this happen if there is nothing to raise this awareness? Eternal Life: Eternal life means that life continues after death, either in heaven or through reincarnation in a new body on earth. The idea of eternal life is built on an awareness of the love of God. If there is no afterlife for God s creation then life has no purpose and God does not love what he has created. Evidence for and against the existence of an afterlife: People believe in life after death because of: - The existence of ghosts. - The resurrection of Jesus as witnessed in the Bible. - Memories from a previous life. - Out of body experiences and near death experiences - The teaching of Holy Books like the Bible and the Qur an. Resurrection: In the early Jewish scriptures, the belief was that all souls went to Sheol, a place the dead would go but had no contact with God. They believed that God would restore the faithful to life. Some believed when the Messiah came the good people would be rewarded. Other people thought this would happen at the end of time. Resurrection means the person will be in an eternal state of happiness with God. Heaven: the state of eternal happiness in the presence of God that Christians believe will be granted to the faithful after this life. Hell: the opposite of heaven, a place of eternal despair and separation from God. Hell is chosen by those who reject what God has to offer. Paradise: the ideal place in which the faithful are rewarded for all eternity; a name used about heaven especially by Jesus Resurrection Jesus taught about God s kingdom and this included heaven. Jesus taught that God s love continued after death. God created a perfect place and this had been destroyed by sin and the power of evil. Jesus defeated the power of death and sin when he rose from the dead. Jesus died on the cross, rose again 3 days later and gave the message to his disciples that he had risen from the dead. It was the women who believed him first. Through Jesus resurrection we can all have access to God in heaven. We all be resurrected to eternal life like Jesus was. The validity of these arguments: - No one has come back to tell us what life in the afterlife is like (except Jesus), so writers imagine what life with or without God would be like. - The language used about heaven and hell is too physical and cannot give us any idea of the reality. + These beliefs have made sense to millions of people through the ages so they must be true. + Humans feel there must be more to us than this life, so the afterlife completes this picture. + Punishment in hell supports the idea of a just God, punishing those who appear to get away with bad actions.