Evidence and Faith
Does God exist? Presented here are lively discussions on the relationship between evidence, reason and faith. The topics are given below each video. Most of these topics are disputed questions and can be used as a standalone activity as the basis of group discussions.
1. Evidence and Faith
Topics include:
The difference between:
o faith and blind faith
o evidence and proof
· Faith is a judgement based on, but not compelled by, the evidence.
· Science involves having faith.
· In religion, faith has the extra element of existential trust.
· Mathematics is based on agreed axioms, not truths.
· In science, there is often uncertainty about the best way to interpret observations.
· In philosophy, people are never going to agree.
The difference between:
o faith and blind faith
o evidence and proof
· Faith is a judgement based on, but not compelled by, the evidence.
· Science involves having faith.
· In religion, faith has the extra element of existential trust.
· Mathematics is based on agreed axioms, not truths.
· In science, there is often uncertainty about the best way to interpret observations.
· In philosophy, people are never going to agree.
2. Is religious faith reasonable?
Topics include:
· Is religious faith reasonable?
· Sometimes faith goes beyond reason.
· If God exists:
o it is likely that he would reveal himself to humans.
o he would be a person.
· God wants to be found.
· In addition to evidence from nature, Revelation by God is another source of evidence.
· The spiritual experience of others is also evidence.
· Humans desire altruism which can liberate them from their own moral imperfections.
· Is religious faith reasonable?
· Sometimes faith goes beyond reason.
· If God exists:
o it is likely that he would reveal himself to humans.
o he would be a person.
· God wants to be found.
· In addition to evidence from nature, Revelation by God is another source of evidence.
· The spiritual experience of others is also evidence.
· Humans desire altruism which can liberate them from their own moral imperfections.