1. RE GCSE Belief in God Mrs Strange

2. How to revise for RE Use this Power Point to investigate or revise key points on the unit shown on the front cover Use this Power Point to investigate or revise key points on the unit shown on the front cover GCSE Bite size is also a valuable revision tool GCSE Bite size is also a valuable revision tool Mrs Strange

3. Belief in God click on the links to revise a key area Reasons & theories Reasons & theories Miracles Miracles Evil and suffering Evil and suffering

5. 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 cares God supports and cares God is omnipotent (everywhere at once) God is omnipotent (everywhere at once) Term personal God refers to him as a concept, force or idea of goodness and light. Term personal God refers to him as a concept, force or idea of goodness and light.

6. Belief in God Reasons for believing in God: Theist Reasons for believing in God: Theist There are several reasons for believing in God. There are several reasons for believing in God. The universe seems to have been designed by someone – the designer must be God The universe seems to have been designed by someone – the designer must be God Science says that everything has a cause including the universe therefore God must exist Science says that everything has a cause including the universe therefore God must exist Humans cannot be here by chance – life must have a meaning and purpose. Humans cannot be here by chance – life must have a meaning and purpose. So many people in the world belong to a religion – they can’t all be wrong. So many people in the world belong to a religion – they can’t all be wrong. Reasons against believing in God: Atheist Reasons against believing in God: Atheist There are several reasons against believing in God. These are: There are several reasons against believing in God. These are: Science explains the world better than religion and often leads people to be agnostic or atheist. Science explains the world better than religion and often leads people to be agnostic or atheist. Miracles are seen as a problem because why would God help some people and not others. Miracles are seen as a problem because why would God help some people and not others. Some people argue that if God cares for everyone why doesn’t he answer prayers. Some people argue that if God cares for everyone why doesn’t he answer prayers. If God is all powerful (omnipotent) why does he let people suffer form earthquakes and other natural disasters that he could stop? If God is all powerful (omnipotent) why does he let people suffer form earthquakes and other natural disasters that he could stop?

7. Theories in the belief in God Cosmological Argument This argument is based on the ideas of Thomas Aquinas and on his observations of the world. The cosmological argument for God’s existence is that: The world could not exist on its own so there must have been a first cause that brought it into being. This first cause is God. Or put another way, the universe could not just exist on its own—someone or something must have made it. This cause of the universe is God. This argument is based on the ideas of Thomas Aquinas and on his observations of the world. The cosmological argument for God’s existence is that: The world could not exist on its own so there must have been a first cause that brought it into being. This first cause is God. Or put another way, the universe could not just exist on its own—someone or something must have made it. This cause of the universe is God. Teleological Argument The teleological argument is also known as “the argument from design” (The Greek word “telos” means “purpose” or “design.”). The argument is: The universe evidence shows great complexity or design; thus, it must have been designed by a great Designer or God. The teleological argument is also known as “the argument from design” (The Greek word “telos” means “purpose” or “design.”). The argument is: The universe evidence shows great complexity or design; thus, it must have been designed by a great Designer or God. The best known example of this argument is by William Paley who says the argument from design can be likened to a watch. A watch is obviously made by a watchmaker. The world, which is much more complex than a watch, must also have been designed by a great Designer or Divine Watchmaker (God). The best known example of this argument is by William Paley who says the argument from design can be likened to a watch. A watch is obviously made by a watchmaker. The world, which is much more complex than a watch, must also have been designed by a great Designer or Divine Watchmaker (God). Therefore the teleological argument says there is too much design – it cannot be chance. Therefore the teleological argument says there is too much design – it cannot be chance.

8. Belief in God and religious upbringing Religious Upbringing: Religious Upbringing: Christianity teaches that God exists by: Christianity teaches that God exists by: Children are baptised Children are baptised Children are taken to church and taught how to pray Children are taken to church and taught how to pray Thank God for gifts especially at Easter/Christmas Thank God for gifts especially at Easter/Christmas Could attend church school Could attend church school With this sort of upbringing they would think that God existed. With this sort of upbringing they would think that God existed. Islamic religious upbringing: Islamic religious upbringing: God is great God is great Family prays five times a day Family prays five times a day Ramadan Ramadan Madrasah (mosque school) Madrasah (mosque school) Learn Arabic and Qur’an as God’s word Learn Arabic and Qur’an as God’s word Click to return to choices

10. Types of evil and suffering What is evil? Moral evil: evil which is deliberately caused by humans such as cruelty or dishonesty. Moral evil: evil which is deliberately caused by humans such as cruelty or dishonesty. Natural evil: evil which is not anyone’s deliberate fault such as floods and diseases. Natural evil: evil which is not anyone’s deliberate fault such as floods and diseases. 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 isn’t very kind. 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 isn’t very kind. Why is there evil and suffering? Sometimes Christians say the world was made perfect but that people disobeyed God. This is called THE FALL. This happened when Eve gave Adam the apple to eat. In the Bible God gave Man many opportunities to ‘do the right thing’ but man wasn’t interested therefore suffering is a punishment for sin. Sometimes Christians say the world was made perfect but that people disobeyed God. This is called THE FALL. This happened when Eve gave Adam the apple to eat. In the Bible God gave Man many opportunities to ‘do the right thing’ but man wasn’t interested therefore suffering is a punishment for sin.

11. Evil and Suffering: Christian and Islamic response Evil and suffering Evil and suffering This is a problem for Christians because if God is good (benevolent) he would not want evil and suffering. This is a problem for Christians because if God is good (benevolent) he would not want evil and suffering. 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. 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. A Christian response would be that Christians pray and help those who suffer. People suffer because humans have misused their free will. Jesus 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 to heaven. Christians should help those who suffer e.g. Christian Aid. Christian attitude to suffering and evil A Christian response would be that Christians pray and help those who suffer. People suffer because humans have misused their free will. Jesus 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 to heaven. Christians should help those who suffer e.g. Christian Aid. Christian attitude to suffering and evil suffering is a test of faith suffering is a test of faith it is a punishment from God it is a punishment from God part of god’s plan part of god’s plan acts of nature God allows to happen acts 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 evil Muslim attitudes to suffering and evil It is a test for the next life (a better life to come – if they remain strong they will be awarded a place in paradise It is a test for the next life (a better life to come – if they remain strong they will be awarded a place in paradise Allah has a plan Allah has a plan Good can come of suffering Good can come of suffering Humans have free will Humans have free will

12. Is suffering part of God’s plan? Why does God allow suffering? God gave people FREE WILL to live their lives as they choose. If people are to have real freedom they have the opportunity to make the wrong choice. God gave people FREE WILL to live their lives as they choose. If people are to have real freedom they have the opportunity to make the wrong choice. If there was no evil or suffering we would not develop as human beings. We would not be brave unless there was danger. We wouldn’t be generous unless there were people in need. We wouldn’t learn to be patient if we received everything we wanted immediately. If there was no evil or suffering we would not develop as human beings. We would not be brave unless there was danger. We wouldn’t be generous unless there were people in need. We wouldn’t learn to be patient if we received everything we wanted immediately. Is suffering part of God’s plan? Some people say suffering is a test from God to see how people will respond. Others disagree saying God does not 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 see the whole picture. Some people say suffering is a test from God to see how people will respond. Others disagree saying God does not 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 see the whole picture. Some Christians believe evil and suffering are the work of the devil – he encourages people to do wrong. It is the devil who causes disease and natural disasters. Others believe that the Devil cannot exist as this would imply hat God isn’t all powerful. Some Christians believe evil and suffering are the work of the devil – he encourages people to do wrong. It is the devil who causes disease and natural disasters. Others believe that the Devil cannot exist as this would imply hat God isn’t all powerful. Click to return to choices

14. Miracles Miracles can be defined as: Miracles can be defined as: An event that appears to be contrary to the laws of nature and is regarded as an act of God. An event that appears to be contrary to the laws of nature and is regarded as an act of God. An event or action that is totally amazing, extraordinary, or unexpected. An event or action that is totally amazing, extraordinary, or unexpected. Something admired as a marvellous creation or example of a particular type of science or skill Something admired as a marvellous creation or example of a particular type of science or skill For many Christians the accounts of miracles in the Gospels are factual stories detailing God’s power through Jesus to intervene in the world and overcome death, sin, disease and nature. For many Christians the accounts of miracles in the Gospels are factual stories detailing God’s power through Jesus to intervene in the world and overcome death, sin, disease and nature.

15. Arguments that show miracles are the work of God God is all-powerful and is able to manipulate our lives and our world if he desires. Miracles therefore occur as and when God commands them. God is all-powerful and is able to manipulate our lives and our world if he desires. Miracles therefore occur as and when God commands them. God shows us what he is like through miracles. Every miraculous event tells us something about the nature of God. We learn of his power, his wisdom and his love. God shows us what he is like through miracles. Every miraculous event tells us something about the nature of God. We learn of his power, his wisdom and his love. God uses miracles to balance out the existence of the evil/bad forces in the world. God uses miracles to balance out the existence of the evil/bad forces in the world. God responds to those who pray for his help and assistance by rewarding with miracles. The occurrence of miracles inspires a stronger faith in others. God responds to those who pray for his help and assistance by rewarding with miracles. The occurrence of miracles inspires a stronger faith in others.

16. Arguments that show miracles are not the work of God Nature is not fully understood by science. Miracles are therefore misunderstood natural forces at their most awesome. Nature is not fully understood by science. Miracles are therefore misunderstood natural forces at their most awesome. Miracles can be explained by coincidence if looked at logically. Miracles can be explained by coincidence if looked at logically. Miracles are human inventions and are advertised by people wanting fame, fortune and power. Miracles are human inventions and are advertised by people wanting fame, fortune and power. Miracles are part of historic events – the work of Jess reminds us Christ was God’s son. However miracles are no longer part of our world. Miracles are part of historic events – the work of Jess reminds us Christ was God’s son. However miracles are no longer part of our world.

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