Summary of Religious Experience People claim to experience God in miracles, answered prayers, the numinous and conversion. Religious experience makes people feel that God is real.

Miracles Learning Objective: To know why some religious experiences can support a Christians faith in God To recognise a non-religious response to these phenomena

Starter Lourdes DVD The Church by day The Grotto Procession by Night The Virgin Mary & Bernadette

Miracles A miracle is an event that seems to break a law of nature. When science cannot explain the event then the only explanation to a believer is that it is the work of God. If you saw someone walking across a lake towards you, how would you decide whether or not it was a miracle? If a friend was dying from a disease and you prayed to God to cure them, what would convince you it was the work of God if they recovered?

Miracles Experiencing a miracle is a religious experience. Experiencing a miracle is a religious experience. An example of a miracle from the Bible is from Mark 5: Jesus raised a girl from the dead. An example of a miracle from the Bible is from Mark 5: Jesus raised a girl from the dead. Miracles are common to most religions they serve as a proof of God’s existence. Miracles are common to most religions they serve as a proof of God’s existence.

For A miracle is an event that cannot be explained by natural laws alone. It is outside our normal experience. A miracle is an event that cannot be explained by natural laws alone. It is outside our normal experience. A change for the better that can take place in a person even in the most unlikely situation. A change for the better that can take place in a person even in the most unlikely situation. The believer considers the event to have religious significance. Belief. The believer considers the event to have religious significance. Belief. It may be seen as an event that is caused by God, this is either in accordance with natural laws or brought about by another person. It may be seen as an event that is caused by God, this is either in accordance with natural laws or brought about by another person. It may be an which is insignificant to others but very important to the believer. An example would be a change of attitude to your life; hope instead of sadness. It may be an which is insignificant to others but very important to the believer. An example would be a change of attitude to your life; hope instead of sadness. Examples of miracles: bible, Lourdes and others. Evidence. Examples of miracles: bible, Lourdes and others. Evidence.

Against We can argue that miracles do not exist at all, we can say that these events are a result of a lack of scientific knowledge. We can argue that miracles do not exist at all, we can say that these events are a result of a lack of scientific knowledge. Miracles are not impossible but that it is impossible for us to prove them. Miracles are not impossible but that it is impossible for us to prove them. The laws of nature continue to occur and we have millions of examples of this, millions of dead do not return to life etc. Any miracle would need to outweigh all this evidence. The laws of nature continue to occur and we have millions of examples of this, millions of dead do not return to life etc. Any miracle would need to outweigh all this evidence. There is very little evidence, what evidence there is, is questionable. There is very little evidence, what evidence there is, is questionable. There is a natural tendency of those seeing an event to suspend their reasons and support the claim. Psychology – wanting a miracle to happen. There is a natural tendency of those seeing an event to suspend their reasons and support the claim. Psychology – wanting a miracle to happen.

Miracles in Bible Great flood - Genesis 7 Great flood - Genesis 7 Red Sea parting - Exodus 14: 22 Red Sea parting - Exodus 14: 22 Feeding Luke 9: Feeding Luke 9: Raising Lazarus - John 11: Raising Lazarus - John 11: 40-46

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Miracles Reasons why some people do not believe in miracles Not enough evidence Reasons why some Christians believe in miracles Evidence in OT and NT, Lourdes, miracles in Hinduism and Islam

Do you think miracles prove that God exists? Give TWO reasons for your point of view. (4) If you think miracles do not prove God’s existence, you could use these two reasons: All miracles can be explained, for example, Jesus was not dead when he was taken down from the cross. All miracles can be explained, for example, Jesus was not dead when he was taken down from the cross. All miracles rely on the evidence of eye witnesses and witnesses can always be deceived. All miracles rely on the evidence of eye witnesses and witnesses can always be deceived. The reason this is a good answer is that even though you do not believe in miracles you are using religious evidence in your answer. The reason this is a good answer is that even though you do not believe in miracles you are using religious evidence in your answer.

Plenary State 3 reasons why people do not believe in miracles State 3 reasons why people do not believe in miracles Give 3 reasons why Christians believe in miracles Give 3 reasons why Christians believe in miracles

Question A: What is non-voluntary euthanasia? Answer 1: Ending someone’s life painlessly. This would get 1 mark as a partially correct answer. Answer 2: Ending someone’s life painlessly when they are unable to ask, but you have good reason for thinking they would want you to do so. This would get 2 marks for a correct definition of the key word. Question 3A: 2 marks

Question B: Do you agree with abortion? Give two reasons for your point of view. Answer 1: Yes I do agree with abortion because I don’t think a foetus is a human life until it is capable of living outside the mother. This would get 1 mark for giving one reason. Answer 2: Yes I do agree with abortion because I don’t think a foetus is a human life until it is capable of living outside the mother. Therefore abortions before 20 weeks are not taking life. By developing the reason the answer moves up to 2 marks. Question 4B: 4 marks

Question B: Do you agree with abortion? Give two reasons for your point of view. Answer 3: Yes I do agree with abortion because I don’t think a foetus is a human life until it is capable of living outside the mother. Therefore abortions before 20 weeks are not taking life. I also believe that a woman should have the right to do what she wants with her own body. The answer now gives another reason and so it moves up to 3 marks. Question 4B: 4 marks

Question B: Do you agree with abortion? Give two reasons for your point of view. Answer 4: Yes I do agree with abortion because I don’t think a foetus is a human life until it is capable of living outside the mother. Therefore abortions before 20 weeks are not taking life. I also believe that a woman should have the right to do what she wants with her own body. The problems caused to a woman by having an unwanted baby justify her having an abortion. By developing the second reason, the answer moves up to 4 marks for two developed reasons – full marks. Question 4B: 4 marks

Question C: Choose one religion other than Christianity and explain why most of its followers are against euthanasia. Answer 1: Muslims are mainly against euthanasia because in the Qur’an it teaches that humans are one of Allah’s greatest creations and so to take away Allah’s creation is a sin. Muslims regard the Qur’an as the word of Allah and so they must obey what the Qur’an says. LEVEL 1: 2 marks for a reason expressed in basic English. Question 4C: 8 marks

Question C: Choose one religion other than Christianity and explain why most of its followers are against euthanasia. Answer 2: Muslims are mainly against euthanasia because in the Qur’an it teaches that humans are one of Allah’s greatest creations and so to take away Allah’s creation is a sin. Muslims regard the Qur’an as the word of Allah and so they must obey what the Qur’an says. Muslims also believe that life is a test from Allah, so if someone is terminally ill they should not be relieved of their pain as it is a test of their faith in Allah. LEVEL 2: by developing the reason, the answer goes up to level 2 and because the answer is written in clear English it would gain 4 marks. Question 4C: 8 marks

Answer 3: Muslims are mainly against euthanasia because in the Qur’an it teaches that humans are one of Allah’s greatest creations and so to take away Allah’s creation is a sin. Muslims regard the Qur’an as the word of Allah and so they must obey what the Qur’an says. Muslims also believe that life is a test from Allah, so if someone is terminally ill they should not be relieved of their pain as it is a test of their faith in Allah. If they stay true to Allah they will be rewarded for that with an afterlife in eternal paradise. Therefore to commit euthanasia is not necessary as people will be relieved of their suffering in Allah’s own way. LEVEL 3: by developing the second reason the answer moves up to level 3 and because the answer is written in a clear style of English with some use of specialist vocabulary (Allah, Qur’an, test, eternal paradise) it would gain 6 marks. Question 4C: 8 marks

Answer 4: Muslims are mainly against euthanasia because in the Qur’an it teaches that humans are one of Allah’s greatest creations and so to take away Allah’s creation is a sin. Muslims regard the Qur’an as the word of Allah and so they must obey what the Qur’an says. Muslims also believe that life is a test from Allah, so if someone is terminally ill they should not be relieved of their pain as it is a test of their faith in Allah. If they stay true to Allah they will be rewarded for that with an afterlife in eternal paradise. Therefore to commit euthanasia is not necessary as people will be relieved of their suffering in Allah’s own way. Another reason is that most Muslims regard any type of euthanasia as a form of murder. As murder is totally forbidden in the Qur’an, no Muslims should commit or allow euthanasia. LEVEL 4: by adding a further reason, the answer moves up to level 4 and because it is written in a clear and correct style of English with the specialist vocabulary from level 3 it would gain 8 marks – full marks. (If time allows, it is always worth adding an extra reason just in case one of the ones given is wrong.) Question 4C: 8 marks

Question D: ‘Your soul will never die.’ (i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3 marks) (ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3 marks) Answer 1: (i) I disagree. I don’t see how the soul can live on after the death of the brain. What is your soul if it is not the brain? 1 mark for a personal opinion with a reason. Answer 2: (i) I disagree. I don’t see how the soul can live on after the death of the brain. What is your soul if it is not the brain? The evidence of science is that the human mind developed as the brain grew more complex, and so the mind cannot exist without the brain (e.g. people who are brain dead on a life-support machine). An extra reason for their opinion is given, so it moves up to 2 marks. Question 3Di: 6 marks

Question D: ‘Your soul will never die.’ (i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3 marks) (ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3 marks) Answer 3: (i) I disagree. I don’t see how the soul can live on after the death of the brain. What is your soul if it is not the brain? The evidence of science is that the human mind developed as the brain grew more complex, and so the mind cannot exist without the brain (e.g. people who are brain dead on a life-support machine). Also where would souls live after the death of the body? Space exploration has shown there is no heaven above the sky and physics has shown there is no non-material world on earth. The answer now gives another reason for their opinion, so it moves up to 3 marks. Question 3Di: 6 marks

Question D: ‘Your soul will never die.’ (i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3 marks) (ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3 marks) Answer 4: (i) I disagree. I don’t see how the soul can live on after the death of the brain. What is your soul if it is not the brain? The evidence of science is that the human mind developed as the brain grew more complex, and so the mind cannot exist without the brain (e.g. people who are brain dead on a life-support machine). Also where would souls live after the death of the body? Space exploration has shown there is no heaven above the sky and physics has shown there is no non-material world on earth. Finally there is no evidence for souls living after death. All the evidence for the paranormal is capable of being disproven. Although the last reason gains no marks because the top level is already reached, an extra reason is a good idea in case one is wrong. Question 3Di: 6 marks

Question D: ‘Your soul will never die.’ (i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3 marks) (ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3 marks) Answer 1: (ii) Christians might disagree with this because they believe there is life after death because Jesus rose from the dead. 1 mark for a reason why some people might disagree. Question 3Dii: 6 marks

Question D: ‘Your soul will never die.’ (i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3 marks) (ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3 marks) Answer 2: (ii) Christians might disagree with this because they believe there is life after death because Jesus rose from the dead. Also it is part of the creeds to believe in the life everlasting, which means the soul cannot die. Another reason is given so it moves up to 2 marks. Question 3Dii: 6 marks

Question D: ‘Your soul will never die.’ (i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3 marks) (ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3 marks) Answer 3: (ii) Christians might disagree with this because they believe there is life after death because Jesus rose from the dead. Also it is part of the creeds to believe in the life everlasting, which means the soul cannot die. They might quote as evidence that Jesus said to one of the robbers crucified with him, ‘This day you will be with me in paradise.’ They take this to mean that the robber’s soul would not die at the crucifixion but live on in heaven. The answer now gives another reason for some people disagreeing, so it moves up to 3 marks. Question 3Dii: 6 marks

Question D: ‘Your soul will never die.’ (i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3 marks) (ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3 marks) (i) I disagree. I don’t see how the soul can live on after the death of the brain. What is your soul if it is not the brain? The evidence of science is that the human mind developed as the brain grew more complex, and so the mind cannot exist without the brain (e.g. people who are brain dead on a life-support machine). Also where would souls live after the death of the body? Space exploration has shown there is no heaven above the sky and physics has shown there is no non-material world on earth. Finally there is no evidence for souls living after death. All the evidence for the paranormal is capable of being disproven. (ii) Christians might disagree with this because they believe there is life after death because Jesus rose from the dead. Also it is part of the creeds to believe in the life everlasting, which means the soul cannot die. They might quote as evidence that Jesus said to one of the robbers crucified with him, ‘This day you will be with me in paradise.’ They take this to mean that the robber’s soul would not die at the crucifixion but live on in heaven. This answer to question D can gain full marks because part ii) gives Christian reasons. Question 3D: 6 marks