Critiques of Religious belief . To explore the strengths and weaknesses of Religious Belief. To explore the different types of Atheism and Agnosticism Positives of Religion. Do Now: Do two mind maps in your book. One for all the positive impacts religion has (generally speaking) and one for all the negative impacts religion has. Negatives of Religion.

Add to your mind map using the reasons below: How might these cause Atheism? Explain each one on your tables.

Activation: Use the different sources to answer the questions on Atheism and Agnosticism. What is the origin of the word Atheism? What are the two types of Atheism? Why is positive (strong) atheism a logically flawed position to hold? How does lack of belief in God link to ethics? What are the origins of the word agnostic? What are the types of agnosticism? Which philosophers influenced development of agnosticism?

Richard Dawkins on Religion. Watch the video and mind map Richard’ Dawkins’ view on religion. Richard Dawkins’ view on Religion.

Demonstration: Explore key ideas associated with Atheism and Agnosticism. (8 Marks). Types of Atheism. Types of Agnosticism. Influential thinkers. Reasons why people are atheist.

Consolidation: True/False Quiz! Positive Atheism can be considered as illogical. The actual meaning of Atheism is ‘without God’. A child who has never thought about God is a positive atheist. Richard Dawkins is a very famous Theist. You cant be an atheist and a Deist at the same time. Agnostic means ‘without knowledge’. Agnosticism is incompatible with strong atheism but compatible with weak atheism. Kant was an agnostic about reality as well as about God. Negative atheists can go on to deny God altogether whereas agnostics cannot. TRUE TRUE FALSE FALSE FALSE TRUE TRUE TRUE TRUE