RE GCSE RE GCSE

Belief in Belief in GodGod

Mrs Strange

How to revise for REHow to revise for RE

Use this Power Point to investigate or Use this Power Point to investigate or revise key points on the unit shown on the revise key points on the unit shown on the front coverfront cover

GCSE Bite size is also a valuable revision GCSE Bite size is also a valuable revision tooltool

Mrs Strange

Belief in GodBelief in Godclick on the links to revise a key areaclick on the links to revise a key area

Reasons & theories

Reasons & theories

Miracles

Miracles

Evil and suffering

Evil and suffering

What and where is God?What and where is God?

A person or a force?A person or a force? Inside or outside the universe?Inside or outside the universe? One or many gods?One or many gods? God supports and caresGod supports and cares God is omnipotent (everywhere at God is omnipotent (everywhere at

once)once) Term personal God refers to him as a Term personal God refers to him as a

concept, force or idea of goodness concept, force or idea of goodness and light.and light.

Belief in GodBelief in God

Reasons for believing in Reasons for believing in God: TheistGod: Theist

There are several reasons for There are several reasons for believing in God.believing in God.

The universe seems to have The universe seems to have been designed by someone – been designed by someone – the designer must be God the designer must be God

Science says that everything Science says that everything has a cause including the has a cause including the universe therefore God must universe therefore God must existexist

Humans cannot be here by Humans cannot be here by chance – life must have a chance – life must have a meaning and purpose.meaning and purpose.

So many people in the world So many people in the world belong to a religion – they belong to a religion – they can’t all be can’t all be wrong.wrong.

Reasons against believing in Reasons against believing in God: AtheistGod: Atheist

There are several reasons There are several reasons against believing in God. These against believing in God. These are:are:

Science explains the world better Science explains the world better than religion and often leads than religion and often leads people to be agnostic or atheist.people to be agnostic or atheist.

Miracles are seen as a problem Miracles are seen as a problem because why would God help because why would God help some people and not others.some people and not others.

Some people argue that if God Some people argue that if God cares for everyone why doesn’t cares for everyone why doesn’t he answer prayers.he answer prayers.

If God is all powerful If God is all powerful (omnipotent) why does he let (omnipotent) why does he let people suffer form earthquakes people suffer form earthquakes and other natural disasters that and other natural disasters that he could stop?he could stop?

Theories in the belief in GodTheories in the belief in God

Cosmological Argument Cosmological Argument This argument is This argument is

based on the ideas of based on the ideas of Thomas Aquinas and Thomas Aquinas and on his observations of on his observations of the world. The the world. The cosmological cosmological argument for God’s argument for God’s existence is that: The existence is that: The world could not exist world could not exist on its own so there on its own so there must have been a first must have been a first cause that brought it cause that brought it into being. This first into being. This first cause is God. Or put cause is God. Or put another way, the another way, the universe could not just universe could not just exist on its own—exist on its own—someone or something someone or something must have made it. must have made it. This cause of the This cause of the universe is God. universe is God.

Teleological Argument Teleological Argument The teleological argument is also known as The teleological argument is also known as

“the argument from design” (The Greek word “the argument from design” (The Greek word “telos” means “purpose” or “design.”). The “telos” means “purpose” or “design.”). The argument is: The universe evidence shows argument is: The universe evidence shows great complexity or design; thus, it must great complexity or design; thus, it must have been designed by a great Designer or have been designed by a great Designer or God. God.

The best known example of this argument is The best known example of this argument is by William Paley who says the argument by William Paley who says the argument from design can be likened to a watch. A from design can be likened to a watch. A watch is obviously made by a watchmaker. watch is obviously made by a watchmaker. The world, which is much more complex than The world, which is much more complex than a watch, must also have been designed by a a watch, must also have been designed by a great Designer or Divine Watchmaker (God). great Designer or Divine Watchmaker (God).

Therefore the teleological argument says Therefore the teleological argument says there is too much design – it cannot be there is too much design – it cannot be chance.chance.

Belief in God and religious upbringingBelief in God and religious upbringing

Religious Upbringing:Religious Upbringing: Christianity teaches that Christianity teaches that

God exists by:God exists by: Children are baptisedChildren are baptised Children are taken to Children are taken to

church and taught how to church and taught how to praypray

Thank God for gifts Thank God for gifts especially at especially at Easter/ChristmasEaster/Christmas

Could attend church schoolCould attend church school With this sort of upbringing With this sort of upbringing

they would think that God they would think that God existed.existed.

Islamic religious Islamic religious upbringing:upbringing:

God is greatGod is great Family prays five times a Family prays five times a

dayday RamadanRamadan Madrasah (mosque school)Madrasah (mosque school) Learn Arabic and Qur’an as Learn Arabic and Qur’an as

God’s wordGod’s word

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Types of evil and sufferingTypes of evil and suffering

What is evil?What is evil? Moral evil: evil which is deliberately caused by humans Moral evil: evil which is deliberately caused by humans

such as cruelty or dishonesty.such as cruelty or dishonesty. Natural evil: evil which is not anyone’s deliberate fault such Natural evil: evil which is not anyone’s deliberate fault such

as floods and diseases.as floods and diseases. Many people think that the existence of evil and suffering in Many people think that the existence of evil and suffering in

the world shows there is no God…or it there is a God…he the world shows there is no God…or it there is a God…he isn’t very kind.isn’t very kind.

Why is there evil and suffering?Why is there evil and suffering? Sometimes Christians say the world was made perfect but Sometimes Christians say the world was made perfect but

that people disobeyed God. This is called THE FALL. This that people disobeyed God. This is called THE FALL. This happened when Eve gave Adam the apple to eat. In the happened when Eve gave Adam the apple to eat. In the Bible God gave Man many opportunities to ‘do the right Bible God gave Man many opportunities to ‘do the right thing’ but man wasn’t interested therefore suffering is a thing’ but man wasn’t interested therefore suffering is a punishment for sin.punishment for sin.

Evil and Suffering: Christian and Islamic responseEvil and Suffering: Christian and Islamic response Evil and sufferingEvil and suffering This is a problem for Christians because if God is good (benevolent) he This is a problem for Christians because if God is good (benevolent) he

would not want evil and suffering. would not want evil and suffering. If God is all-powerful he should be able to get rid of suffering. Therefore If God is all-powerful he should be able to get rid of suffering. Therefore

atheist says that as there is evil and suffering God must not exist.atheist says that as there is evil and suffering God must not exist. A A Christian responseChristian response would be that Christians pray and help those who would be that Christians pray and help those who

suffer. People suffer because humans have misused their free will. Jesus suffer. People suffer because humans have misused their free will. Jesus showed how people should fight against evil. If there was no suffering/evil showed how people should fight against evil. If there was no suffering/evil Christians would not be able to develop into good people and would not get Christians would not be able to develop into good people and would not get to heaven. Christians should help those who suffer e.g. Christian Aid. to heaven. Christians should help those who suffer e.g. Christian Aid. Christian attitude to suffering and evilChristian attitude to suffering and evil

suffering is a test of faithsuffering is a test of faith it is a punishment from Godit is a punishment from God part of god’s planpart of god’s plan acts of nature God allows to happenacts of nature God allows to happen God gave us Free will to use as we wish.God gave us Free will to use as we wish. Muslim attitudes to suffering and evilMuslim attitudes to suffering and evil It is a test for the next life (a better life to come – if they remain strong It is a test for the next life (a better life to come – if they remain strong

they will be awarded a place in paradisethey will be awarded a place in paradise Allah has a planAllah has a plan Good can come of sufferingGood can come of suffering Humans have free willHumans have free will

Is suffering part of God’s plan?Is suffering part of God’s plan?Why does God allow suffering?Why does God allow suffering? God gave people FREE WILL to live their lives as they choose. God gave people FREE WILL to live their lives as they choose.

If people are to have real freedom they have the opportunity If people are to have real freedom they have the opportunity to make the wrong choice.to make the wrong choice.

If there was no evil or suffering we would not develop as If there was no evil or suffering we would not develop as human beings. We would not be brave unless there was human beings. We would not be brave unless there was danger. We wouldn’t be generous unless there were people danger. We wouldn’t be generous unless there were people in need. We wouldn’t learn to be patient if we received in need. We wouldn’t learn to be patient if we received everything we wanted immediately.everything we wanted immediately.

Is suffering part of God’s plan?Is suffering part of God’s plan? Some people say suffering is a test from God to see how Some people say suffering is a test from God to see how

people will respond. Others disagree saying God does not people will respond. Others disagree saying God does not need to test us. God has a plan of this world and humans need to test us. God has a plan of this world and humans have to accept that suffering is part of this plan as God can have to accept that suffering is part of this plan as God can see the whole picture.see the whole picture.

Some Christians believe evil and suffering are the work of the Some Christians believe evil and suffering are the work of the devil – he encourages people to do wrong. It is the devil who devil – he encourages people to do wrong. It is the devil who causes disease and natural disasters. Others believe that the causes disease and natural disasters. Others believe that the Devil cannot exist as this would imply hat God isn’t all Devil cannot exist as this would imply hat God isn’t all powerful.powerful.

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MiraclesMiracles

Miracles can be defined as:Miracles can be defined as: An event that appears to be contrary to the An event that appears to be contrary to the

laws of nature and is regarded as an act of laws of nature and is regarded as an act of God.God.

An event or action that is totally amazing, An event or action that is totally amazing, extraordinary, or unexpected.extraordinary, or unexpected.

Something admired as a marvellous creation or Something admired as a marvellous creation or example of a particular type of science or skillexample of a particular type of science or skill

For many Christians the accounts of miracles in For many Christians the accounts of miracles in the Gospels are factual stories detailing God’s the Gospels are factual stories detailing God’s power through Jesus to intervene in the world power through Jesus to intervene in the world and overcome death, sin, disease and nature.and overcome death, sin, disease and nature.

Arguments that show miracles Arguments that show miracles are the work of Godare the work of God

God is all-powerful and is able to manipulate our lives God is all-powerful and is able to manipulate our lives and our world if he desires. Miracles therefore occur as and our world if he desires. Miracles therefore occur as and when God commands them.and when God commands them.

God shows us what he is like through miracles. Every God shows us what he is like through miracles. Every miraculous event tells us something about the nature miraculous event tells us something about the nature of God. We learn of his power, his wisdom and his of God. We learn of his power, his wisdom and his love.love.

God uses miracles to balance out the existence of the God uses miracles to balance out the existence of the evil/bad forces in the world.evil/bad forces in the world.

God responds to those who pray for his help and God responds to those who pray for his help and assistance by rewarding with miracles. The occurrence assistance by rewarding with miracles. The occurrence of miracles inspires a stronger faith in others.of miracles inspires a stronger faith in others.

Arguments that show miracles Arguments that show miracles are not the work of Godare not the work of God

Nature is not fully understood by science. Nature is not fully understood by science. Miracles are therefore misunderstood natural Miracles are therefore misunderstood natural forces at their most awesome.forces at their most awesome.

Miracles can be explained by coincidence if Miracles can be explained by coincidence if looked at logically.looked at logically.

Miracles are human inventions and are advertised Miracles are human inventions and are advertised by people wanting fame, fortune and power.by people wanting fame, fortune and power.

Miracles are part of historic events – the work of Miracles are part of historic events – the work of Jess reminds us Christ was God’s son. However Jess reminds us Christ was God’s son. However miracles are no longer part of our world.miracles are no longer part of our world.

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