Christianity – Theme 3 – Challenges From Science By the end of this lesson you will have: Re-capped what you know about challenges from secularisation Understood how science poses a challenge for Christianity Explored contrasting views to Dawkins from Alister McGrath

Spec Check AO1 AO2 Richard Dawkins’ and Alister McGrath’s contrasting views on the relationship between religion and science, and the nature of proof; the limits of science; the ‘God of the gaps’ argument The extent to which a scientist should be an atheist Whether Science has reduced the role of God in Christianity

Re-Cap Odd one out: Write the odd one out on your post it and stick it on the board: A) Secularisation / politics / atheism B) 54% in 2001 census / No Religion / Christian C) Anti-religion / No religion / young people D) Indoctrination / good value base / too selective E) Hijab / Ms Eweida / Cross

Modern Atheist How to be a modern day atheist Whilst watching this video, try and pick out the key arguments FOR atheism as a challenge against Christianity

Challenge from Science Some scientists believe that science and religion are at a dichotomy This is because, they argue, science is based on observation and testing those observations to arrive at a theory. Because it is difficult to observe and test Christian beliefs, it is argued that belief in God is therefore a fallacy Dawkins believes that no answers come from religion – in fact, he argues that religion is anti-intellectual

Challenges from science The main challenges then are: God didn’t create the world – the natural world evolved and adapted Religion is an aberration (a product which helped us obey elders and offered meaning to us in a way which could save our lives). This psychological tool has become a cultural ‘meme’ passed down through non-genetic means There is a wall between religion and science – science provides evidence and religion provides answers without any evidence Religion is just a ‘God of gaps’ argument – where people can’t find a definitive answer, they place God i.e the world seems designed, therefore God must have designed it. Science can fill gaps in our knowledge through explanation, exhortation, consolation and inspiration

Challenge from Science However, many Christians believe that this is a false dichotomy and that science doesn’t have to pose a threat to religion Watch the following debate between Dawkins and McGrath and write down the basic arguments from both sides (this video is a summary of the whole specification letter) McGrath vs Dawkins

Limits From Science McGrath accused Dawkins of confusing ‘science’ with ‘scientism’ (the faith that scientific knowledge and techniques will find answers to everything) McGrath claims Dawkins has little evidence for his claims made in ‘the God delusion’ (such as religion being a virus of the brain)

Practise Essay – 25mins ‘Explain how science poses a challenge for Christian truth claims’ (20)