Why don’t some people believe in God? Reasons for atheism

Why don’t some people believe in God?

In this lesson you’re going to learn: Reasons why some people don’t believe in God

Reasons why some people don’t believe in God

Keywords: Theist – someone who believes in God Atheist – someone who doesn’t believe in God Agnostic – someone who believes it is not possible to know whether or not God exists

Theist – someone who believes in God

Atheist – someone who doesn’t believe in God

Agnostic – someone who believes it is not possible to know whether or not God exists

What are some reasons for atheism? The problem of evil Unanswered Prayers Scientific explanations that ‘rule out’ God Moral and natural evils

The problem of evil

Unanswered Prayers

Scientific explanations that ‘rule out’ God

Moral and natural evils

Scientific Explanations: Steady state theory Biochemical theories Chaos theories

Steady state theory

Biochemical theories

Chaos theories

Steady State Theory The universe has always been here – nothing caused it

The universe has always been here – nothing caused it

Biochemical theories Big bang theory Evolution

Big bang theory

Evolution

Chaos Theory Everything happened by chance – no creator, no plan

Everything happened by chance – no creator, no plan

Christian Explanations: Religion and Science can be in harmony – this is called ‘Conservatism’ +

Religion and Science can be in harmony – this is called ‘Conservatism’

The Problem of Evil: If God is omnipotent – he must be able to stop our suffering If God is omniscient – he must know we suffer If God is benevolent – he cannot want us to suffer

If God is omnipotent – he must be able to stop our suffering

If God is omniscient – he must know we suffer

If God is benevolent – he cannot want us to suffer

Moral & Natural Evils Moral: Natural: : Borderline: :

Moral:

Unanswered Prayers: If God existed – surely he would answer our prayers When people pray for something, and it doesn’t happen – they may come to the conclusion that God doesn’t exist

If God existed – surely he would answer our prayers

When people pray for something, and it doesn’t happen – they may come to the conclusion that God doesn’t exist