Philosophy of Religion: Arguments, Beliefs, and Worldviews

What is the cosmological argument?

The argument that the world's existence requires an explanation.

What does the ontological argument assert?

The idea of a supremely perfect being requires existence; if being is most perfect, it must exist.

What is the teleological argument?

The argument that the world's order requires a designer, exemplified by the anthropic principle.

What does the moral argument state?

Moral duty requires a source, suggesting that our understanding of right and wrong comes from a higher power.

What is the evidential problem of evil?

It argues that the existence of evil makes it unlikely that God exists.

What is the logical problem of evil?

It posits that one cannot believe in an all-powerful, all-good God and the existence of evil simultaneously.

Define an atheist.

A person who does not believe in God or a higher power.

What is an agnostic?

A person who is uncertain about the existence of God, often stating 'I don't know' or deeming it unimportant.

What are some reasons people believe in God?

Personal experiences, comfort, fear of death, and the search for meaning and purpose.

What are some reasons people do not believe in God?

Negative experiences, lack of evidence, scientific explanations, and family beliefs.

Who created the theory of evolution?

Charles Darwin, which contradicted the church's teachings.

What did Copernicus contribute to our understanding of the universe?

He proposed that the planets revolve around the sun, not the Earth, establishing a heliocentric model.

What is the biblical worldview regarding human creation?

Humans are at the center of creation and were created without evolving.

What is the scientific worldview regarding the age of the Earth?

Charles Lyell estimated the age of the Earth to be approximately 4.6 billion years.

What is the anthropic principle?

It states that the constants in physics are exactly the values needed for life to exist.

What is Alston's concept of M-beliefs?

It refers to manifestations that make us aware of God's presence.

What does Plantinga suggest about intuiting God's presence?

He compares it to tuning a radio to the right frequency to perceive God.

What is Ignatian spirituality focused on?

Finding where one's greatest joy meets the world's biggest need.

What are the four weeks of the spiritual exercises in Ignatian spirituality?

1. Loved sinners, 2. Life of Christ, 3. Death of Christ, 4. Resurrection of Christ.

What is the concept of disordered attachment?

Anything that keeps you from God, even if it is a good thing.

Explain the analogy of the jar in prioritizing life.

Big rocks represent the most important aspects of life, pebbles are short-term goals, and sand represents trivial matters.