1. Theism “Our lives have intrinsic value” God Exists-We are valued-Free Will Collated by Ms McIntosh Year 10 Religion Cabra Dominican College

2. What is Theism? A philosophy based on the belief in the existence of a God (or Gods). God is the creative source of the human race and the world.

3. What do Theists believe? God God exists and there is an Afterlife Everything owes its existence to God God is ‘Omnipotent’ (all powerful) God is ‘Omniscient’ (all knowing) God is ‘Immutable’ (unchanging) God is beyond all human comprehension God is still involved in and interested in creation God is perfect and eternal

4. What do Theists believe? God God is a loving God, not one who punishes or causes suffering. A belief in God is a source of hope and strength, giving clear meaning and guidance in people’s lives.

5. What do Theists believe? Human life Human life is intrinsically valuable (based on internal, our essence, genuine and true). The value of our lives does not depend on our actions or attitudes towards life. We have INTRINSIC VALUE merely by the fact that we have been CREATED. Even if we do nothing good in our lives we still have value because God loves each of us.

6. Types of Theism Monotheism (Classical Theism): belief in one God only. Christians, Jews and Muslims (Islam) are all Monotheistic religions.

7. Types of Theism Polytheism: there are many Gods Hinduism has many Gods.

8. Theism & Questions Death, Evil & Suffering If God exists and is still interested in the world how do we reconcile this with the existence of Evil in the world? - Why do good people suffer? - Why those we love die? - Why are people starving in the world?

9. Theism & Questions Death, Evil & Suffering Theists believe that Evil does exist in the world but people who do evil were created good and simply made poor choices in life. Humans all have free will. We have the choice to do good or evil. Death is a natural part of the cycle of life. God does not want anyone to suffer.

10. Theism & Questions Death, Evil & Suffering A belief in the afterlife brings some comfort. We have been given free will and God does not interfere with that. We have to live with our choices. If the world was perfect without suffering, we would have nothing to be grateful for, nor nothing better to strive for. Life is for learning how to love better.

11. Theism & Rival positions Atheism: the absence of belief in a God or an active disbelief in a God.

12. Theism & Rival positions Agnostic: indecision concerning God’s existence, or the view that the question as to whether God exists is one that can never be answered.

17. Theism: So what do you think? Does God Exist? If so, what type of God exists and what does God want? All powerful, all knowing, still interested in creation? Are all religions valid? Our lives are valuable no matter what our actions (good or bad)? A belief in God provides hope and strength?

18. Theism: So what do you think? There are no evil people just evil actions? Humans all have free will? Suffering is required in life if we are to learn and grow?

19. Are you a Theist?

20. Sources Used: Encyclopaedia Britannica www.britannica.com/Updated February 10, 2010. Accessed 25/2/10 Garth Kemerling.www.philosophypages.com Last modified 29 October 2006. Accessed 25/2/10 www.theism.info. Accessed 25/2/10 www.atheism.about.com. Accessed 25/2/10 Ms Samuel ‘Meaning of Life PowerPoint’ and various handouts Ms Woodbridge Class notes Images from: www.gofbw.com, www.evolutionoftruth.com, www.openparachute.files.wordpress.com