1.3 Morality argument

What is the Morality Argument?

Immanuel Kant said that people have a powerful sense of right and wrong; an inbuilt sense of morality. This sense comes from a source outside themselves. It must be very intelligent, good, and must have existed before time; it is a higher authority, i.e. God. Therefore God exists. 

Strengths

• State the Morality argument
• People have an inbuilt sense of morality since they know right from wrong 
• Everyone has a conscience even if he or she does not follow it; some theists argue that conscience is the voice of God 
• People follow moral principles even when they would prefer to do something else
• Being moral deserves justice, but not everyone who acts morally has a happy life, therefore God must exist to reward people for living a good life

Weaknesses

• Morality itself cannot easily be proved to exist - no scientific proof
• Morality is formed from socially defined rules or laws that were developed to control people
• Morality is part of evolution since survival depends on cooperation with others 
• Guilty feelings are not from God; guilt occurs when people go against their upbringing / society / family / religion. Furthermore, not everyone feels guilty.
• Some people seem not to have a conscience
• Atheists question why being good should be rewarded by a happy life / no such link between the two / there is no afterlife so no reward for a moral life.

3.2 What is evil?

• Evil is the opposite of good; a devil (personification of a negative power)
• An action that causes harm or suffering to others; actions that go against God’s will. 
• There are two types; moral and natural; human caused and environmental disasters respectively
• Examples include murder / rape / war / stealing, etc., hurricanes, tsunamis, tornados respectively.

2.5 Is general or special revelation better?

General revelation is better because:

• General revelation is open to everyone; not exclusive. For example sacred texts are accessible to all whereas special revelation is only for the people who receive it. Conscience is available to all as general revelation; it guides people how to behave.
• General revelation is available at all times; at all places whereas special revelation occurs at a specific time / place. 
• General revelation is ongoing so religions can update their thinking, whereas special revelation is tied to its historical time and may be outdated. 

Special revelation is better because:

• Special revelation is direct; it is received first hand so it has a stronger impact.
• Special revelation shows the whole of God’s message; e.g. the Qur’an was the total revelation of Allah whereas general revelation discloses only part. 
• People who receive a special revelation have enough confidence to lead others to faith. A special revelation to an individual is more personal as it conveys God’s love to the person.

6.9 How evolution challenged religious belief

How did evolution challenge religious belief?

• Evolution said that animals adapted to their environment, not the other way round as the Bible says. Also, humans were meant to have been fully formed by the 6th day of creation.
• Evolution contradicted the Design Argument since the world changed from its beginning and improved.
• Darwin’s theory challenged the Christian belief that God created humans in God’s image; that humans were superior to animals; humans were unique and not descended from apes.

1.2 What is the Design Argument?

Design Argument

William Paley argued that if you were walking in a deserted place and found a stone, you might conclude it had always been there or was natural to that place. But if you came across a watch, even if you had never seen one before, its inner workings (cogs, wheels and springs) would convince you that someone had designed it. The intricate pieces could not have come together by themselves. Paley said that the universe is even more complicated than the watch. Therefore the universe, like the watch, must have had a designer. The only designer able to design such a complex and intricate universe is God.

1.1 What is the First Cause Argument?

What is the First Cause Argument?

Thomas Aquinas was a monk who spoke of the First Cause Argument. The universe itself is the best evidence for God; everything that exists has a cause; the universe exists, so it too must have a cause; there had to be something eternal (without beginning or end) that was not caused by anything; that eternal first cause is God; therefore God exists.

Strengths of the First Cause Argument
·        State the First Cause argument
·        The Big Bang could have been caused by God. Big Bang explains how the universe came to be, but what caused the Big Bang?; the measurement of time suggests there was a starting point
·        There is no proof of any other ‘cause’
·        The causer must have been eternal and omnipotent – it defies the laws of nature!

Weaknesses of the First Cause Argument

·        Scientific explanations (Big Bang) more credible.  See Unit 6 for more details of the Big Bang.
·        No scientific proof
·        Argument is flawed - even if universe had a beginning, there is no proof that God caused that beginning; If everything has a cause, then who or what caused God?
·        Eternal universe – The universe could have been eternal; the causes might go on forever.

Exercise 1.1
1.      Who spoke of the First Cause Argument? (1)
2.      Explain the First Cause Argument. (4)
3.      Give two reasons why the First Cause Argument is flawed. (2)
4.      'The First Cause Argument proves that God exists'. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to religious arguments in your answer. (6)

Cosmological Revolution Booklet

Here is a nice booklet on the Cosmological Revolution. Hope it helps!