1. STARTER
Go over the keywords for today’s test – do you know the words and their meanings??

2. What are the arguments for and against the existence of God?
Sunday, 26 May 2019
What are the arguments for and against the existence of God?
Learning objectives:
To examine some of the arguments of the existence of God.
To analyse which are the most convincing arguments for and against God’s existence.

3. THE BIG PICTURE Introduction to Religious Education
What is RE all about?
Does God exist?
What are the arguments for and against the existence of God?
Is there a God? (Assessment)

4. Keyword Test – Self Assessment
Meaning
Atheist
Someone who does NOT believe in God.
Theist
Someone who DOES believe in God.
Agnostic
Someone who is not sure whether or not God exists.
Monotheist
Someone who believe in only one God.
Polytheist
Someone who believe in more than one God (many gods).

5. OUTCOME 1: To examine some of the arguments of the existence of God.
With your partner sort out the arguments into those which support the existence of God and those which are against the existence of God
The Big Bang
The world was created by a big explosion. There is no need for the idea of a God as creator of the world.
The Problem of Evil
There is so much evil and suffering in the world that there cannot be a God because if there was He would do something about it.
Unanswered Prayers
Many people pray to God and yet their prayers are left unanswered.
Miracles
Something which goes against the laws of nature and is thought to be caused by God.
Answered Prayers
Some people believe that they have prayed to God and He has answered their prayers either by directly speaking to them or by giving them a sign some other way.
The Creation of the World
Some people would argue that someone must have created the world and that someone must be God.

6. The Creation of the World
OUTCOME 2: To analyse which are the most convincing arguments for and against God’s existence.
Arguments FOR God’s existence – rank depending on which is the most convincing
Miracles
Something which goes against the laws of nature and is thought to be caused by God.
Answered Prayers
Some people believe that they have prayed to God and He has answered their prayers either by directly speaking to them or by giving them a sign some other way.
The Creation of the World
Some people would argue that someone must have created the world and that someone must be God.

7. Many people pray to God and yet their prayers are left unanswered.
OUTCOME 2: To analyse which are the most convincing arguments for and against God’s existence.
Arguments AGAINST God’s existence – rank depending on which is the most convincing
The Big Bang
The world was created by a big explosion. There is no need for the idea of a God as creator of the world.
The Problem of Evil
There is so much evil and suffering in the world that there cannot be a God because if there was He would do something about it.
Unanswered Prayers
Many people pray to God and yet their prayers are left unanswered.

8. OUTCOME 2: To analyse which are the most convincing arguments for and against God’s existence.
‘The miracle argument is the most convincing when thinking about God’s existence? ’ Do you agree? Why?
POINT- make your point
EVIDENCE- Supply evidence
EXPLAIN- explain what this means
Peer Assessment
Read your partners work. Have they answered the question? Is their answer fully explained.
Write a comment so that your partner can TMPC
(To make progress and challenge)
I think that the miracle argument is/is not the most convincing argument for the existence of God.
This is because…
I also think this because…
Therefore this evidence shows that…