Knowledge Organiser Why do some people believe

Knowledge organiser for the ‘Why do some people believe God exists?’ Focuses on main arguments (design, first cause, evil, personal experience) with vocabulary.

Good and Evil:
Some theists think that the good things that happen in the world are evidence that God exists and that we should be grateful for them. Some theists also think that it is wrong to blame God for moral evil because it is caused by human choices, not by God. Some atheists think that natural evil, such as floods, earthquakes and disease, are evidence that God does not exist.

Design:
Some theists think that such a complex and beautiful world must have been designed by God. Some atheists argue that evolution is a better explanation for the amazing variety of living things in the world, so this does not prove God exists. Some theists agree that evolution produced plants and animals, but believe that God is involved at the start or throughout the process and that it has a purpose.

First Cause:
Many theists believe that the universe could not have appeared out of nowhere, so must have been created by God. Some atheists argue that the universe was created by the Big Bang. Some theists agree, but believe that God was responsible for the Big Bang.

Personal Experience
Some theists believe in God because of personal experiences. These might include prayers or positive life experiences. Some theists also believe that they have experienced a miracle, or that someone they know or have heard about has experienced one. Some theists believe that this personal experience stops their life from being meaningless.