atheism and faith final

Etiological Argument

God is the first cause

Cosmological Argument

an argument for the existence of God that claims that all things in nature depend on something else for their existence (i.e., are contingent), and that the whole cosmos must therefore itself depend on a being that exists independently or necessarily.

Teleological Argument

the argument for God's existence based on the evidence of design in the world

Ontological Argument

the argument that God, being defined as most great or perfect, must exist, since a God who exists is greater than a God who does not.

Argument for fear

Based on fear of the unkown (Freud and Russell

argument of evolution

Evolution can coexist with a Deistic God who created evolution

anthropomorphic

God is a projection of humans

When did atheism actually begin?

As early as people began to acknowledge their FAITH in any supreme beings. Early Greek Philosophers had their own skepticism and questioning but it was dangerous to do so publicly. Epicurius (341-270BCE) was one of the first to do so publicly.

Europe's View of Atheism

As early as the 15th century there were scholars who voiced their

stance on atheism (Voltaire). Italy, France, Britain, Germany.

Reasons for atheism

Church corruption, too powerful, and denies monarchy

Atheist scholars from the past

18th century priests show writings of frustration with the Church as well. French Revolution also sprurred atheism. 19th Century- Percy Shelley (1811) was expelled from Oxford for expressing his views on atheism. Charles Darwin (was a minister in training) influenced the role of. Science (evolution) at this time

Challenges from Philosophers

Thomas Hobbes- (1700s in England) critiqued the Anglican Church hierarchy. Francis Bacon (England)also challenged the corruption of the Church and the scandals at the time. Many scientists found ways to reconcile their views with God but it was MORE about corruption in the church than it was about

science challenging the role of religion

Reasons why people don't believe in God

How can a kind and almighty God allow pain and suffering to happen to innocent people?

What is the need for a God?

The term, God, is unknown and is invalidated.

People believing that organized religion has a negative way of portraying God, and using it as a means to justify their actions.

What is evolution?

Evolution is not a series of causes and effects, it just happens. Nothing causes or leads to evolution. God is the only one who dictates how things work, but life is free and fluctuates.

What does Jean Paul Sartre say?

Believes that he wasn't created without purpose and that a Creator gave him a purpose for existing.

What does Pascal say?

Claims that death is either a do or don't. I agree because he is saying that it's up to us to believe whether we want to live another life after death or just stop and be at peace.

What are the two basic evils?

Physical evils like natural disasters and moral evils like theft or murder.

What was said about evil if there is no God?

Without God there would be no moral evil and humans would be just as advanced as animals. Additionally, no human would understand the idea of death.

Shit Hitchens said

Literal definitions of God

Shit Hitchens said

We have free will and almost everything is random. God giving us free will is not free will.

Shit Hitchens said

Atheism offers life without an illusion

Shit Hitchens said

Religion is not the solution to conflicts

Shit Hitchens said

We are prone to tribalism (religious, cultural and ethnic)

Shit Wolpe said

God is figurative

Shit Wolpe said

God's plan and God gave us free will.

Shit Wolpe said

Judaism and other religions prescribe goodness and evolve

Shit Wolpe said

Religion does not offer violence but humans do. (Most religions did not cause most wars)

Shit Wolpe said

Religion helps with bullying like teaching children to be good.

Shit Wolpe said

Slavery's biggest opponents were religious people.

Agnosticism

Not being sure whether God exists

Athiest

a person who believes there is no god

Spirituality

search for the sacred, which may or may not extend to belief in God

Deism

A popular Enlightenment era belief that there is a God, but that God isn't involved in people's lives or in revealing truths to prophets.

Thesim

belief in a god or gods

Monothesim

belief in only one god

Polytheism

belief in more than one god

Percy Shelley

Used poetry for change. Rejected Christianity, but not an atheist. During late 1790s. Wrote Queen Mab that was a big poetic work which challenged Christianity.

Thomas Paine

During 1730s. Was a deist. Wrote pamphlets such as the age of reason which criticized institutional religion. Talked about corruption in the Church and how it was trying to gain political power. Also said that the Bible is literature

When did religious non-affiliation start?

Started in the 1990s after 9/11 and the cold war. People saw religion with a negative light.

Why did religion grow in the 1970s?

Ties with Republican party, sexual revolution, Roe v. Wade, divorce laws, and anti-war movement

How is God limited?

The laws of nature, evolution of human nature, and human moral freedom

Benefits of a limited God

It's an explanation as to why there is still suffering in the world

What's the point of God if there is suffering?

He helps us overcome it, manage it, and inspire others to help people.

Why do bad things happen to good people?

God can't prevent suffering.

Theodicy

the theological question that tries to connect belief in God's justice with the reality that sometimes good people suffer unjustly and die

1st assumption

God is all good, powerful, and knowing

2nd assumption

The universe was created by God and/or exists in a relationship with God

3rd assumption

Why does evil exist in the world?

Privation

Lack of substance. Humans don't have full divine goodness, which is why we sin.

Why does the world have suffering?

It was created and doesn't have God's eternal being so it constantly changes.

A theodicy

The spiritual justification of the goodness of God in regards to his power.

Why can't God intervene?

He is a limited god or it would break laws of nature and free will.

Moral evil

Actions done by humans which cause suffering

Natural evil

Natural events that cause suffering

Reasons why there is suffering

God is testing us, it's part of the human condition, God is limited and suffers with us, or God is all powerful but it messes with free will.

What are two ways of seeing God?

Left and right sides of the brain.

Left side of the brain.

Analytical and logical way.

Right side of the brain

Emotional and spiritual way

What did Carl Jung state?

There needs to be a connection between the patient and the doctor to treat them. In addition, the approach between patient and doctor is also important.

Numinous

To have a strong spiritual quality or something that suggests the presence of divinity.

What is the moral of the Story of Job

It is important to be in a relationship with God and deal with issues directly with God.

Story of Job

Job looses everything including his family, land, and money because of a test from Satan. Job is weeping and struggling and his friends assist him through his hard times. All throughout this time Job remained faithful to God. For remaining faithful to God, God rewarded Job with double everything he lost.

Kushner's beliefs

God is limited and suffers with us when tragedy occurs. God needs us and loves us.

How is God limited?

The laws of nature, evolution of human nature, and human moral freedom

Benefits of a limited God

It's an explanation as to why there is still suffering in the world

What's the point of God if there is suffering?

He helps us overcome it, manage it, and inspire others to help people.

Why do bad things happen to good people?

God can't prevent suffering.

Theodicy

the theological question that tries to connect belief in God's justice with the reality that sometimes good people suffer unjustly and die

1st assumption

God is all good, powerful, and knowing

2nd assumption

The universe was created by God and/or exists in a relationship with God

3rd assumption

Why does evil exist in the world?

Privation

Lack of substance. Humans don't have full divine goodness, which is why we sin.

Why does the world have suffering?

It was created and doesn't have God's eternal being so it constantly changes.

A theodicy

The spiritual justification of the goodness of God in regards to his power.

Why can't God intervene?

He is a limited god or it would break laws of nature and free will.

Moral evil

Actions done by humans which cause suffering

Natural evil

Natural events that cause suffering

Reasons why there is suffering

God is testing us, it's part of the human condition, God is limited and suffers with us, or God is all powerful but it messes with free will.

What are two ways of seeing God?

Left and right sides of the brain.

Left side of the brain.

Analytical and logical way.

Right side of the brain

Emotional and spiritual way

What did Carl Jung state?

There needs to be a connection between the patient and the doctor to treat them. In addition, the approach between patient and doctor is also important.

Numinous

To have a strong spiritual quality or something that suggests the presence of divinity.

What is the moral of the Story of Job

It is important to be in a relationship with God and deal with issues directly with God.

Story of Job

Job looses everything including his family, land, and money because of a test from Satan. Job is weeping and struggling and his friends assist him through his hard times. All throughout this time Job remained faithful to God. For remaining faithful to God, God rewarded Job with double everything he lost.

Kushner's beliefs

God is limited and suffers with us when tragedy occurs. God needs us and loves us.