Challenges From Science (Theme 3)

Question 1

What are the contrasting views of science and religion?

Answer 1

Dawkins believes in science and that religion has no answers

The McGraths believe that science is compatible with their faith

Question 2

What is Dawkins problem with the God Hypothesis?

Answer 2

• Natural selection shows that the development of eye does not seem improbable in evolution
• God would need to be more complex than his creations meaning the solution is to improbability is even more improbable

Question 3

What are Dawkins beliefs on the origins of life?

Answer 3

The multiverse theory (The idea that there are endless numbers of universes with different variations and ours is the one that supports life). This is the Darwinian way of thinking and explains life in developments instead of just God

Question 4

How is religion an aberration?

Answer 4

Religion is the product of two survival qualities;
- The human tendency to obey elders
- The biologically programmed tendency to assign meaning and purpose to animals and objects

Peoples have a psychological disposition that favours religious beliefs

Question 5

How do the McGraths break down the wall between science and religion?

Answer 5

The McGraths disagree with Dawkins and believe that there are scientists who have clear beliefs. A survey in 1997 showed 40% of scientists believe in God

Question 6

What are the arguments against Dawkins?

Answer 6

The McGraths highlight the significance of religious believers becoming so as adults

One of the greatest weaknesses in atheism is that it religion continues to exist even when there is supposedly nothing to believe in

There should be scientific evidence that religion is a ‘virus of the mind’ but Dawkins hasn’t given this and makes faulty assumptions

Question 7

What is the God of gaps argument?

Answer 7

The God of gaps argument is the idea that God can be used to explain our gaps in knowledge. Intelligent design theorists use God to explain complex features of biology

Question 8

What are the flaws with the God of gaps argument?

Answer 8

Due to the decrease in the gaps of knowledge God is becoming decreasingly relevant

Question 9

What are another way to fill the gaps?

Answer 9

Dawkins fills the gap in 4 ways religion has failed;
- Explanation (science means we no longer need religion to explain life’
- Exhortation (you can be good without God. Dawkins believes religions leads to violence and segregation)
- Consolation (atheists can be consoled through new ways of thinking of the world)
- Inspiration (seeing the complexity and grandeur of life is endless inspiration)

Question 10

Is religion the axis of evil?

Answer 10

The McGraths believe that Dawkins mischaracterises religion and highlights the areas which he ignores;
- The prophetic critique of religion (the prophets criticised religious practices that involved social oppression)
- The inclusive ministry of Jesus (Jesus teaches to love your enemy and the parable of The Good Samaritan)
- The capacity of religion to transcend and transform human conflicts (Bible passages encourages compassion, hospitality, forgiving, prohibiting slavery)
- The danger of an absence of religion (society could turn ideas into idols and commit violence against those who disagree)
- The fact that religion is more than a belief

Question 11

What are the limits of science?

Answer 11

There are three questions that science cannot answer;
- How did everything begin?
- What are we here for?
- What is the point of living?