“Everyone has some kind of philosophy, some general worldview, which to men of other views will seem mythological.”
― H. Richard Niebuhr, Christ and Culture
Theism
An infinite God is beyond and in the universe. The physical universe is not all there is. An infinite, personal God beyond the universe created it, sustains it, and can act within it in a supernatural way. (Judaism, Islam, Christianity)
Basic Beliefs of Theism: 1. God exists beyond and in the world. 2. The world was created ex nihilo (out of nothing) 3. Miracles are possible/have occurred. 4. Man is made in God’s image. 5. There is a moral law. 6. Man is immortal. 7. Man will be rewarded or punished.
Contributions of Theism: Criticisms of Theism:
1. An exalted view of God. 1. The universe does not need a cause.
2. An absolute basis for morality. 2. There could be an infinite series of causes.
3. The dignity of man. 3. A first cause need not be infinite.
4. Life has ultimate meaning. 4. The universe need not be designed.
5. Theism is other-worldly in outlook.
6. Theism absolutizes inhumanities.
Basic Beliefs of Theism: 1. God exists beyond and in the world. 2. The world was created ex nihilo (out of nothing) 3. Miracles are possible/have occurred. 4. Man is made in God’s image. 5. There is a moral law. 6. Man is immortal. 7. Man will be rewarded or punished.
Contributions of Theism: Criticisms of Theism:
1. An exalted view of God. 1. The universe does not need a cause.
2. An absolute basis for morality. 2. There could be an infinite series of causes.
3. The dignity of man. 3. A first cause need not be infinite.
4. Life has ultimate meaning. 4. The universe need not be designed.
5. Theism is other-worldly in outlook.
6. Theism absolutizes inhumanities.
Atheism
God does not exist
beyond the universe or in it. The universe is all there is and all there will
ever be. It is self-sustaining.
The tenets of Atheism: 1. God does not exist. 2. The world is eternal. 3. Evil exists. 4. Man is material. 5. Ethics are relative. 6. Man’s destiny is death.
Contributions of Atheism:
1. The presence of evil
2. Contradictions in some concepts of God
3. Positive human values
4.The loyal opposition
Criticisms of atheism:
1. If the objections against theistic arguments are invalidated then much of the evidence for atheism fails
2. A finite cause needs an infinite cause
3. The cause of the universe must be perfect
4. Chance does not explain the origin of all things: an intelligent cause is needed
5. The principle of causality does not need to be proven
6. It is not possible to have an actual infinite series of causes
7. It is logically possible that nothing ever existed, including a necessary being
The tenets of Atheism: 1. God does not exist. 2. The world is eternal. 3. Evil exists. 4. Man is material. 5. Ethics are relative. 6. Man’s destiny is death.
Contributions of Atheism:
1. The presence of evil
2. Contradictions in some concepts of God
3. Positive human values
4.The loyal opposition
Criticisms of atheism:
1. If the objections against theistic arguments are invalidated then much of the evidence for atheism fails
2. A finite cause needs an infinite cause
3. The cause of the universe must be perfect
4. Chance does not explain the origin of all things: an intelligent cause is needed
5. The principle of causality does not need to be proven
6. It is not possible to have an actual infinite series of causes
7. It is logically possible that nothing ever existed, including a necessary being