How does this make you feel?

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/how
-did-the-world-begin/452.html
12/8/21

Can we see God in the design of

the world? (Yellow pages 4-5)
Aims:
• Know what the design argument is
• Understand arguments for and against this theory
• Know what the causation argument is
• Evaluate the causation argument
• Compare and contrast Scientific and Religious ideas about
creation
Key Glossary Terms
• Analogy
• Design
• Causation
• ‘Big Bang’ theory
• Creationists
• Evolution
• Natural Selection
 The design argument
• G:\Faculties\Social Sciences\RE\ICT Packages\
Religious Ethics\SI_design.pps
Overview of the design argument
Design is the result of intelligent thought

The universe has the appearance of design

This suggests that a being with intelligence and thought

designed the universe

The universe is too complex to be designed by any other being

than God

Therefore God exists

 Activities:
1. List some examples from the natural world that
appear to have been ‘designed’.
2. a) List all the facts in support of the design
argument, then list all those against.
b) Which list, in your view, contains the most
convincing arguments, and why?
3. If you were God, would you have designed the world
differently? What changes would you have made?
4. ‘The design argument fails to provide convincing
proof of the existence of God.’ Do you agree? Give your
reasons.
 Summary
• Some Christians argue that the appearance of
the world supports belief in God

• The design argument is based on the principle

that the world is so orderly and purposeful
that it cannot have come about by chance, but
is rather the work of a designing God.
 The causation argument

• G:\Faculties\Social Sciences\RE\ICT Packages\

Religious Ethics\SI_cosmological.pps
 Overview of the causation argument
Nothing can happen by itself

Everything that happens must be caused by something

else

The universe cannot have happened by itself

A very powerful cause was necessary to bring the

universe into being

This cause has to be God

Therefore, God exists

 Activities:
1. Make a list of five things(for example an
apple or a book) and show how each one was
caused or came into being (how did it get
here?). Is there anything in nature that is not
caused?
2. How might the causation argument lead
people to belief in God? Discuss this with a
partner and then write a short paragragh.
Which is the stronger argument and why?
The design argument The causation argument
 Summary:
• The causation argument is based on the
principle that nothing causes itself and it must
therefore be caused by God.
 Science, Religion or both?
• A creationist explains his belief
• Explanation of theistic evolution

1. Outline the scientific explanation for the

creation of the universe
2. Explain why this might cause some people to
doubt the existence of God
Richard Dawkins – The God Delusion

• The God Delusion – part 1

• The God Delusion – part 2

1. Why does Richard

Dawkins not believe in
God?