Section B: Essential Points & Quotes:

Does God Exist? Morale Argument Hastings Rashdell- We know what is right and wrong. There must be someone who informs us what is right and wrong. Therefore God is the informer of these things and he must exist. Sigmund Freund- We learnt moral understanding through social conditioning- we are taught by our parents. Cosmological Argument St. Thomas Aquinas- The Earth has many processes like the sun setting, moon rising, tides etc. Somebody must have set all of these processes in motion. Design Argument William Paley- The Earth has many complicated structures such as a eye, clock etc. Someone mustve designed these structures as they couldnt have happened by chance- therefore the designer is God. David Hune- there might be many Gods that designed God. He may have died after designing earth or might not be Omni benevolent- suffering exists. Charles Darwin- Plants and animals have changed over time. They changed to survive in the world, called evolution. They had to change to get more food, (giraffe) and this is how such clever structures have evolved.

George Lemaitre- The universe was created by the Big Bang where the universe exploded into many different planets.

Edward Wilson- Moral understanding was achieved through evolution- we slowly understood that we would survive better if we worked together. This has ensured the survival of humans. General:

Religious experience- An event where the presence of God is felt. E.g. Prayer, worship etc. Religious revelation- God reveals himself through voice, vision, beyond normal. Suffering: General: God might be testing peoples faith through suffering. Suffering produces depth in our character. Suffering makes you stronger- emotionally, physically, and mentally. Its the hard times that help you in the long-run. Pain warns us of infection, which we respond to and treat. Suffering helps us learn from our mistakes. God = Omni benevolent, omniscient, omnipotent He loves us so he shouldnt want to inflict pain, but has the power and knowledge to stop the suffering.

Buddhism: Suffering is unavoidable and is part of everyday life (Dukkha). The Four Noble Truths show that Dukkha goes on every day. Its caused by craving (Three poisons). It can be diagnosed by stopping the craving. To help stop craving follow the Noble Eightfold Path. The Buddha can be compared to a doctor that:

1. Diagnoses the problem. 2. Offers a solution. Noble Eightfold Path 1) Right Understanding: How you feel about the teachings such as karma and the impact on everyday life. 2) Right Intention: This means doing things for the right reasons and for the right intentions. 3) Right Effort: A Buddhist should always have happy thoughts and leave bad habits such as drinking. 4) Right Mindfulness: A Buddhist should be relaxed and calm when they are excited or in a state of self. 5) Right Action: Where you dont commit adultery, violence or steal things. 6) Right Speech: A Buddhist should always try to speak carefully, truthfully and cause harmony between others. 7) Right Livelihood: Shouldnt harm other people in their everyday job. 8) Right Concentration: You should keep calm and relaxed, not being distracted. Dereje 16: Suffering refines us. Rana 16: Suffering is a punishment from God for doing something wrong in our previous life. The story of the Mustard Seed, how Kisa Gotami was unable to find a family that had never been through a form of suffering. Dhammapada All that we are is the consequence of what we have thought. Further reinforcing the Three poisons idea. Three poisons: Ignorance represents the pig, snake is hate, and pigeon is desire. Everything comes from ignorance. The only way to break free of the cycle of the Three Poisons and dukkha. Samsara Cycle of birth, death and rebirth (reincarnation). To end this suffering you must try to achieve nirvana after reaching enlightenment.

Christianity: The original sin of mankind is where Adam and Eve eat the fruit from the Garden of Eden. Evil came into the world because of this sin. Genesis 1: God created free will so that humans choose whether they are good or evil. Suffering was created so that people are encouraged to make correct choices in life. When Jesus died on the cross, he cancelled the original sin and opened a pathway back to God. Suffering is a test from God to see whether we are worthy of the rewards in heaven. Earth is a preparation for paradise, not a paradise itself. Therefore suffering is expected. In the next world, there will be no suffering or evil. We cannot understand Gods reasons for things- He is transcendent, beyond us. To end suffering in the world, Christians should help others that are in need just as Jesus did.

Life after Death: Christianity: Evangelical Protestants: They believe in resurrection, peoples souls will wait until the Last Day, were their souls will return to Heaven/Hell. Protestants: They believe in immortality of the soul. This means that souls are judged immediately and sent to Heaven/Hell.

Roman Catholics: They believe in the resurrection and immortality of the soul. This means that the soul is judged for a first time immediately, and then on judgement day, it is judged again. If a Christian has sinned, he can go to purgatory to be cleansed of their sins. Evidence for life after death is found in: Bible sections (1 corinthians 15, Matthew 25, revelation 20-21, Luke 23) Events of Jesus resurrection- 1) An empty tomb 2) A missing body.

Effects of the resurrection: 1. 2. 3. 4. Shows he is the son of God (Romans 1:4). Returned to the glory of Heaven (Luke 24 50-51), Power of god the father inside him (Ephesians 1: 19-22) Risen Jesus- Nobody was expecting him to rise again. He had to show proof it was really him (John: 20, 27, Luke: 24) 5. Changed the disciples views from being fearful to bold. 6. Encourages people to enter the benefits of the sacrifice- everybodys sins were forgiven. Evangelical protestants: 1 Corinthians 15: As in Adam all men die, so in Christ all will be made alive.. This shows that Jesus is the forgiver of sins and gives hope for all Christians as he overcame evil and death to be resurrected. Its a resurrection of a dead body into a spiritual soul. Roman Catholics: Matthew 25: they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. This quote explains that some people may go to Hell for sins, while others may go to Heaven for good deeds. Roman Catholics: Revelation 20-21: then I saw a new Heaven and a new earth which shows that the dead will be judged straight away when they enter life after death. Protestants: Luke 23: Today you will be with me shows immortality of the soul. Views of Christians changing due to religion Matthew 25: The parable of the sheep and the goats show you should help others in need of shelter, food, treatment, lonely, poor etc. 1 Corinthians 9 24-25: Every athlete submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned showing you should live life as best as you can and follow religion as close as possible in order to receive rewards in later life. Buddhism: Key words: Samsara: The process of birth, death, rebirth. It continues. Karmic energy: This energy sets another life in motion. Karma: Law of cause and effect. Good Action Good Consequences. Nirvana: State beyond suffering, true happiness. This is achieved through enlightenment to free them from samsara. Buddhists follow the wheel of life to show samsara and the 6 different paths that you could rebirth into. When you rebirth, the three poisons determines whether you go to a path of good karma of bad karma. Good karma a human, demi-God or God. Bad karma an animal, ghost or hell being.

It is held by Yama, the Lord of death, showing that death and suffering is inevitable unless you follow the noble eightfold path to achieve enlightenment and Nirvana.