Unit 2: The God Unit

Unit 2: The God Unit

Questions to Guide our Studies

Major Themes of the UnitMajor Themes of the Unit

Theism: Belief in Higher Power Polytheism Monotheism

Atheism: Belief there is no Higher Power Agnosticism: Unsure if a Higher Power

exists Polytheism/Monotheism

Concept of God Concept of God Transcendent: God is outside this world & is distinct

from our universe. Immanent: God is identical to the cosmos as a whole. Pantheism: God is everything Universal Spirit: God is the emotional connection

inside all humans Process: God must be understood as a continual

process (constantly self-creating) Transcendent Creator: God made world & left Leap of Faith: God can only be known through Faith

What is God?What is God?

Is God a force or presence?

Is God an idea created by humans?

Does God change over time?

Could you describe God?

Arguments for GodArguments for God

Cosmological Argument Argument from Design Ontological Argument Moral Argument Pascal’s Wager Irrational Faith

Are Holy Books from Divine origin?Are Holy Books from Divine origin?

Is the Book written by God?

Can human-translation of the text change the Word?

How can a follower deal with contradictions in the text?

Non-Overlapping Magisteria? Non-Overlapping Magisteria? Stephen J. Gould asserted that Science

and Religion were two separate, non-overlapping magisteria.

Science, Gould felt, is empirical study; whereas religion is the study of ultimate meaning and morality.

Do you believe Science and Religion are studying separate phenomena?

Do they ever overlap and address the same issues? Which issues?

Will Religion End?Will Religion End?

When, Why and how will religion end? If not, why not? Will this be a good/bad event? Does this imply religion is necessary or

superfluous?

What should this unit teach you?What should this unit teach you? 1). To understand the logical and faith-

based frameworks for Theism.

2). How to engage in meaningful discussion about religion with people that disagree.

3). To recognize how philosophy and the study of religion have influenced one another.