ReligionReligion

Chapter 13 – TOK IIChapter 13 – TOK II

Mr. McCouryMr. McCoury

IntroductionIntroduction

Question: Why do we have religion?Question: Why do we have religion?

– ““Question with boldness even the Question with boldness even the existence of God; because if there be existence of God; because if there be one, he must approve of the homage of one, he must approve of the homage of reason that that of blindfolded fear.reason that that of blindfolded fear.

-Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)-Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

Three Broad Views Three Broad Views of Religionof Religion

TheismTheism

PantheismPantheism

AtheismAtheism

TheismTheismTheismTheism – universe is governed by an – universe is governed by an eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing all-eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing all-loving creator, God (Judaism, loving creator, God (Judaism, Christianity & Islam)Christianity & Islam)

PantheismPantheism

PantheismPantheism – God is everything and – God is everything and everything is part of God, reality is everything is part of God, reality is spiritual in nature and everyday world spiritual in nature and everyday world is an illusion (Hinduism, Taoism, & is an illusion (Hinduism, Taoism, & Buddhism).Buddhism).

AtheismAtheism

Atheism Atheism – denies the existence of creator – denies the existence of creator God and believes the universe is material God and believes the universe is material in nature and has no spiritual dimension.in nature and has no spiritual dimension.

Key DefinitionsKey Definitions

MetaphysicalMetaphysical – things that are – things that are beyond the physical world – cannot beyond the physical world – cannot determine they are true on the basis determine they are true on the basis of experience alone.of experience alone.

AgnosticismAgnosticism- a person neither - a person neither denies or admits the existence of God denies or admits the existence of God or a higher reality but keeps an open, or a higher reality but keeps an open, albeit skeptical mind abut the issue.albeit skeptical mind abut the issue.

Danger of AnthropomorphismDanger of Anthropomorphism

AnthropomorphismAnthropomorphism - God is pictured - God is pictured literally in the form of man.literally in the form of man.– Greeks pictured Gods as glorified images of Greeks pictured Gods as glorified images of

themselves.themselves.– XenophanesXenophanes (c. 580-478BCE) – if oxen and (c. 580-478BCE) – if oxen and

horses could draw, they would give either horses could draw, they would give either gods the same bodily shape.gods the same bodily shape.

Atheists claim man created God in his Atheists claim man created God in his image rather than the opposite.image rather than the opposite.

God of the PhilosophersGod of the Philosophers

Omnipotent Omnipotent – all eternal, – all eternal, all-powerfulall-powerful

OmniscientOmniscient – all knowing – all knowing

OmniamorousOmniamorous – all loving – all loving

God of the PhilosophersGod of the Philosophers

Paradox of omnipotenceParadox of omnipotence – – could God create beings that could God create beings that he could not subsequently not he could not subsequently not control? If he couldn’t, he control? If he couldn’t, he would not be perfect.would not be perfect.

God of the PhilosophersGod of the Philosophers

Paradox of changeParadox of change – How can – How can a god intervene in human a god intervene in human history as He has traditionally history as He has traditionally thought to do? He ultimately will thought to do? He ultimately will become imperfect which become imperfect which contradicts He is a perfect contradicts He is a perfect being.being.

God of the PhilosophersGod of the PhilosophersParadox of sufferingParadox of suffering – If God is so “all-– If God is so “all-loving and does not loving and does not want us to suffer, ” want us to suffer, ” then why is there so then why is there so much suffering in the much suffering in the world?world?– We could feed the We could feed the

world on what we spend world on what we spend on pet food in a year – on pet food in a year – free will?free will?

God of the PhilosophersGod of the Philosophers

Paradox of free-Paradox of free-willwill – If God is all – If God is all knowing, then we knowing, then we are merely reduced are merely reduced to characters in to characters in some kind of sick some kind of sick play (predetermined play (predetermined script).script).

God of the PhilosophersGod of the PhilosophersCounter ArgumentCounter Argument

We can no more We can no more understand God than a understand God than a worm can understand a worm can understand a human being.human being.

Human reason is unable Human reason is unable to comprehend the infinite.to comprehend the infinite.

Religious truths lie beyond Religious truths lie beyond language.language.

Is Religious Language Is Religious Language Meaningless?Meaningless?

Logical positivistsLogical positivists – if religion can’t tell – if religion can’t tell us anything about the nature of God, the us anything about the nature of God, the n you aren’t saying anything when you n you aren’t saying anything when you say God exists.say God exists.– A statement is genuinely meaningful only if it A statement is genuinely meaningful only if it

can be verified or falsified.can be verified or falsified.

““God exists’ is metaphysical rather than God exists’ is metaphysical rather than an empirical position – impossible to an empirical position – impossible to determine truth from an inductive method.determine truth from an inductive method.

The Argument from Religious The Argument from Religious ExperienceExperience

All religions are founded on a bedrock of All religions are founded on a bedrock of intense and personal feelings.intense and personal feelings.– Patterns of meditation and food deprivation Patterns of meditation and food deprivation

create hallucinations that seem like religious create hallucinations that seem like religious experiences.experiences.

Bertrand RussellBertrand Russell (1872-1970) –”From a (1872-1970) –”From a scientific point of view, we can make little scientific point of view, we can make little from the man who eats little and sees from the man who eats little and sees heaven than the man who drinks much heaven than the man who drinks much and sees snakes.”and sees snakes.”

The Argument from Religious The Argument from Religious ExperienceExperience

Religious experiences are very different Religious experiences are very different from everyday experiences.from everyday experiences.– Skeptics would say that is simply a part of Skeptics would say that is simply a part of

random events in a complex universe.random events in a complex universe.

Some have argued that people have had Some have argued that people have had medical conditions such as epilepsy that medical conditions such as epilepsy that simulated a religious experience.simulated a religious experience.– St. Paul and Joan of Arc may have been St. Paul and Joan of Arc may have been

epileptics.epileptics.

The Argument from Religious The Argument from Religious ExperienceExperience

People tend to see religious experience as People tend to see religious experience as cultural traditions.cultural traditions.– Buddhists do not see the Virgin Mary nor do Buddhists do not see the Virgin Mary nor do

Christians see Buddha.Christians see Buddha.

MiraclesMiracles““Days pass, Days pass, years vanish, years vanish, and we walk and we walk among among miracles.”miracles.”–Jewish Sabbath Jewish Sabbath

Prayer.Prayer.

MiraclesMiraclesAn extraordinary event which is brought An extraordinary event which is brought about by God’s intervention in the natural about by God’s intervention in the natural order of things.order of things.Skeptics say “one in a million” chances Skeptics say “one in a million” chances happen every day.happen every day.True miracles would defy the everyday True miracles would defy the everyday laws of nature.laws of nature.– Water into wine, loaves and fishes, parting of Water into wine, loaves and fishes, parting of

the Red Sea, resurrection of Lazarus.the Red Sea, resurrection of Lazarus.

Argument Against MiraclesArgument Against Miracles

David HumeDavid Hume (1711-76) – weight of (1711-76) – weight of evidence is against them.evidence is against them.

There is no uniform body of There is no uniform body of evidence to prove it – either the evidence to prove it – either the person is lying or the law of gravity person is lying or the law of gravity has been broken (the former is more has been broken (the former is more probable scientifically speaking).probable scientifically speaking).

Does Hume’s Argument Prove too Does Hume’s Argument Prove too Much?Much?

If he is correct in assuming that no If he is correct in assuming that no miracles exist, then ANY observations that miracles exist, then ANY observations that do not fit with our current understanding of do not fit with our current understanding of the world also MUST be irrational.the world also MUST be irrational.

What about Mercury?What about Mercury?– Its orbit deviates from the path accordinh to Its orbit deviates from the path accordinh to

Newton’s law.Newton’s law.– We would have to reject Newton’s law We would have to reject Newton’s law

according to Hume.according to Hume.

Does Hume’s Argument Prove too Does Hume’s Argument Prove too Much?Much?

If we adopt Hume’s approach, not only If we adopt Hume’s approach, not only would we have to discount miracles but would we have to discount miracles but extraordinary events in science – this extraordinary events in science – this would bring progress in science to a halt.would bring progress in science to a halt.

A miracle could simply be that an A miracle could simply be that an unexplained event simply shows the unexplained event simply shows the limitations of our current understanding of limitations of our current understanding of the world.the world.

Does Hume’s Argument Prove too Does Hume’s Argument Prove too Much?Much?

Some scientists say the underlying order and Some scientists say the underlying order and harmony in the universe is in itself a miracle.harmony in the universe is in itself a miracle.

The Argument from DesignThe Argument from Design

According to the design argument, the According to the design argument, the order and harmony of the universe could order and harmony of the universe could not have come about because of chance.not have come about because of chance.

God must exist because the universe has God must exist because the universe has a mechanical and precise working.a mechanical and precise working.

The Argument from DesignThe Argument from Design

““This most beautiful system of the sun, This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets could only proceed planets, and comets could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being.”intelligent and powerful Being.”– Isaac Newton (1642-1727)Isaac Newton (1642-1727)

The complexity of nature was enough to The complexity of nature was enough to convince most 18convince most 18thth century scientists of an century scientists of an intelligent design.intelligent design.

Hume’s Argument Against DesignHume’s Argument Against Design

Little resemblance between the world and Little resemblance between the world and a machine.a machine.A design theory proves an A design theory proves an architectarchitect god god rather than a rather than a creatorcreator god. god.If we look at the universe objectively, it is If we look at the universe objectively, it is very faulty and imperfect compared to a very faulty and imperfect compared to a superior standard.superior standard.– ““Don’t worry God is alive and well and is now Don’t worry God is alive and well and is now

working on a less ambitious project.”working on a less ambitious project.”

Read!!!Read!!!

Read the short story by Philip K. Dick – Read the short story by Philip K. Dick – “Project Earth.”“Project Earth.”– How does Dick’s story resemble David How does Dick’s story resemble David

Hume’s argument?Hume’s argument?– Who doe the first “winged” group represent in Who doe the first “winged” group represent in

Project A?Project A?– Project B?Project B?– Project C?Project C?

Does Theory of Evolution Make Does Theory of Evolution Make Design Unnecessary?Design Unnecessary?

Complex biological features have Complex biological features have “evolved” from many mutations and “evolved” from many mutations and natural selection/natural selection/

Nature is the watchmaker rather than Nature is the watchmaker rather than “God.”“God.”

Physics and the New Argument Physics and the New Argument from Designfrom Design

Physics can argue for design – intricaceies Physics can argue for design – intricaceies make the universe impossible to be make the universe impossible to be coincidence.coincidence.

Multiverse Theory – suggests there are Multiverse Theory – suggests there are infinite universes with infinite values infinite universes with infinite values explored in each universe.explored in each universe.

Maybe the laws of nature are just brute Maybe the laws of nature are just brute facts that we will never be able to explain.facts that we will never be able to explain.

The Cosmological ArgumentThe Cosmological ArgumentWhat caused the Big What caused the Big Bang?Bang?

Nothing can come Nothing can come from nothing.from nothing.

The Universe is The Universe is something.something.

Therefore, God Therefore, God (something) created (something) created the universe.the universe.

Alternatives to a Creator GodAlternatives to a Creator God

(1) The universe has always existed(1) The universe has always existed – crunching & expanding for infinitycrunching & expanding for infinity

(2) (2) The Big Bang was the uncaused The Big Bang was the uncaused first causefirst cause – universe created from a wrinkle of universe created from a wrinkle of

nothingness (appeared by chance)nothingness (appeared by chance)

Does everything except God have a cause Does everything except God have a cause – Who created God?– Who created God?

Alternatives to a Creator GodAlternatives to a Creator God

Why did God created the universe? Why Why did God created the universe? Why bother? (Project Earth)bother? (Project Earth)– Was he bored? Lonely? Incomplete?Was he bored? Lonely? Incomplete?

This is an answer like:This is an answer like:– ““Why do WE exist?Why do WE exist?– ““What is MY purpose?”What is MY purpose?”– ““What AM I?”What AM I?”

The Problem of SufferingThe Problem of Suffering

Why is there so much suffering in the Why is there so much suffering in the world?world?– The CrusadesThe Crusades– The Black PlagueThe Black Plague– Rape & incestRape & incest– Nazi Rule & Concentration CampsNazi Rule & Concentration Camps– The Atomic BombThe Atomic Bomb– GermsGerms

The Free-Will DefenseThe Free-Will Defense

God gave humans free-will and we have God gave humans free-will and we have misused it (sin).misused it (sin).

Since 1500, 142 million have died in more Since 1500, 142 million have died in more than 600 wars around the worldthan 600 wars around the world– 36 genocides36 genocides– Over 20 million have died from AIDS since Over 20 million have died from AIDS since

1981.1981.– 24,000 people starve to death each day (US & 24,000 people starve to death each day (US &

pet food…remember that statistic)pet food…remember that statistic)

The Free-Will DefenseThe Free-Will Defense

Why did God allow us to make weapons of Why did God allow us to make weapons of mass destruction?mass destruction?– We could have the choice to not make themWe could have the choice to not make them

Couldn’t the laws of physics be altered to Couldn’t the laws of physics be altered to make us “safe?”make us “safe?”– We could have chosen not to make unsafe We could have chosen not to make unsafe

things.things.

The Free-Will DefenseThe Free-Will Defense

Why were we not made to do only “good?”Why were we not made to do only “good?”– We have a choice (free will)We have a choice (free will)

If God knows our past as well as our If God knows our past as well as our future, are we just characters in a divine future, are we just characters in a divine novel or computer game?novel or computer game?– Since God does not force us to choose a Since God does not force us to choose a

path, divine foreknowledge is compatible with path, divine foreknowledge is compatible with human free-will.human free-will.

Natural SufferingNatural Suffering

Nature is beautiful and UglyNature is beautiful and Ugly– EarthquakesEarthquakes– TornadoesTornadoes– SharksSharks– Poisonous Plants & AnimalsPoisonous Plants & Animals– CancerCancer– ParasitesParasites

Such cruelty is difficult to balance with a Such cruelty is difficult to balance with a benevolent creator.benevolent creator.

Natural SufferingNatural Suffering

Despite appearances, we live in a balance Despite appearances, we live in a balance of good and bad – impossible to have a of good and bad – impossible to have a perfect world in nature.perfect world in nature.We fight challenges of nature to strive to We fight challenges of nature to strive to become better – a perfect world would become better – a perfect world would stagnate growth.stagnate growth.Perhaps this is to make the point that what Perhaps this is to make the point that what matters in life is relationships and not matters in life is relationships and not material wealth.material wealth.

All Things Bright and BeautifulAll Things Bright and Beautiful

All things bright and beautiful,All things bright and beautiful,All creatures great and small,All creatures great and small,All things wise and wonderful, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all.The Lord God made them all.Each little flower that opens,Each little flower that opens,Each little bird that sings –Each little bird that sings –

He made their glowing colors,He made their glowing colors,He made their tiny wings.He made their tiny wings.

--Cecil Frances AlexanderCecil Frances Alexander

All Things Dull and UglyAll Things Dull and Ugly

All things dull and ugly,All things dull and ugly,All creatures short and squat,All creatures short and squat,

All things rude and nasty, All things rude and nasty, The Lord God made the lot.The Lord God made the lot.

Each little snake that poisons,Each little snake that poisons,Each little wasp that stings –Each little wasp that stings –He made their brutish venom,He made their brutish venom,He made their horrid wings.He made their horrid wings.

--Cecil Frances AlexanderCecil Frances Alexander

2 Problems with Defense of 2 Problems with Defense of SufferingSuffering

Unclear whether more good comes Unclear whether more good comes out of the world than bad.out of the world than bad.

If good people prospered and bad If good people prospered and bad people suffered, then why then “do people suffered, then why then “do the little children suffer?”the little children suffer?”– The good suffer as well as the badThe good suffer as well as the bad

– How does the deaths of millions of How does the deaths of millions of children equate with an all-loving God?children equate with an all-loving God?

Religion Versus FaithReligion Versus Faith

Certainty can’t be found in any other AOK, Certainty can’t be found in any other AOK, so why would religion be any different?so why would religion be any different?

Humans cannot comprehend the vastness Humans cannot comprehend the vastness and complexity of the universe, so it must and complexity of the universe, so it must be ultimately be up to faith.be ultimately be up to faith.

Religion is man made – faith is individual Religion is man made – faith is individual belief.belief.

IS Faith Rational?IS Faith Rational?

Some say it is Some say it is wish fulfillmentwish fulfillment – what we – what we wish to be true – don’t need evidence.wish to be true – don’t need evidence.Science diminishes the role of God Science diminishes the role of God (atheists) – Science will someday prove (atheists) – Science will someday prove everything – no room for God in the everything – no room for God in the universe.universe.Faith can make us see “god’s fingerprints” Faith can make us see “god’s fingerprints” everywhere on everything. – Thomas everywhere on everything. – Thomas AquinasAquinas

Pascal’s WagerPascal’s Wager

Blaise PascalBlaise Pascal (1623- (1623-62) – a rational person 62) – a rational person should bet on the should bet on the existence of God.existence of God.– Chances are 50/50 – Chances are 50/50 –

Most gamblers would Most gamblers would take that bettake that bet

– Win heaven, lose Win heaven, lose nothing (better world nothing (better world too!)too!)

Against Pascal’s WagerAgainst Pascal’s Wager

Pascal said this was a Pascal said this was a way to push an atheist way to push an atheist towards God – towards God – ultimately making ultimately making them believe in God them believe in God as a matter of as a matter of practicepractice..

Is Faith Irrational?Is Faith Irrational?

Reason’s last and greatest step is to Reason’s last and greatest step is to recognize that there are many things that recognize that there are many things that lie beyond it.lie beyond it.– Blaise PascalBlaise Pascal

Doubt is everywhereDoubt is everywhere

Is Faith Irrational?Is Faith Irrational?

Truth/Certainty/Core Intuitions ARE of the Truth/Certainty/Core Intuitions ARE of the following (b/c we need PROOF:following (b/c we need PROOF:– Life is not a dreamLife is not a dream– Other people have mindsOther people have minds– The laws of physics will not break down The laws of physics will not break down

tomorrowtomorrow– The past really happenedThe past really happened

Faith is irrational but so are our core Faith is irrational but so are our core beliefs (morals/ethics) – no proof of those beliefs (morals/ethics) – no proof of those either, so we must make a either, so we must make a leap of faithleap of faith..

The Varieties of ReligionThe Varieties of Religion

Christian (2,000 million)Christian (2,000 million)

Islam (1,300 million)Islam (1,300 million)

Hinduism (900 million)Hinduism (900 million)

Buddhism (360 million)Buddhism (360 million)

Millions of others including: Shinto, Millions of others including: Shinto, Taoism, Judaism, Sikhism, Voodoo, Taoism, Judaism, Sikhism, Voodoo, etc.etc.

The Varieties of ReligionThe Varieties of Religion

If we take them at face value, they If we take them at face value, they contradict each other.contradict each other.

3 Possible ways to respond to this 3 Possible ways to respond to this contradiction:contradiction:– 1) One religion is true and all others is false1) One religion is true and all others is false

– 2) All religions are false2) All religions are false

– 3) All religions point towards the SAME 3) All religions point towards the SAME underlying truth (religious pluralism).underlying truth (religious pluralism).

PantheismPantheismThe feeling that something The feeling that something BIGGER is out there when a sense BIGGER is out there when a sense or wonder is felt about nature.or wonder is felt about nature.

God and Nature are one.God and Nature are one.

Atheist materialism which lacks Atheist materialism which lacks sense of wonder as ma merely sense of wonder as ma merely exploits nature for human ends.exploits nature for human ends.

READREAD

Tests of FaithTests of Faith p. 13 p. 13– Why did religion emerge in the human brain?Why did religion emerge in the human brain?– How is epilepsy contributing to the study of How is epilepsy contributing to the study of

religious belief?religious belief?– Will science ever eradicate religious belief?Will science ever eradicate religious belief?

Dialogue on the Cosmological Dialogue on the Cosmological ArgumentArgument p. 13 p. 13 – What were the most compelling arguments of What were the most compelling arguments of

the theist and the atheist?the theist and the atheist?