Man vs God

Due Date: Wednesday, September 23

Read the packet from the Wall Street Journal titled "Man vs. God"

Although the packet has Karen Armstrong's article first - read Richard Dawkins articles first.

1) After you have read the articles: write the main thesis / argument for each and then give as many of the main supporting arguments for each. I suggest that you take notes as you go so you can formulate the argument after you've read.

Dawkins- Evolution created this world, and if there was a god he would be very bored with nothing to do because evolution did everything. There could be more life out there but it is probably very basic. Dawkins doesn't know if there is life elsewhere or if it is just Earth. He also states that scientists change their formulas and theorems all the time to include new information. This modifies what was true before, therefore we don't really know what is true for sure. He shows he believes a god did not create the planet when he states, "Making the universe is the one thing no intelligence, however superhuman, could do, because an intelligence is complex-statistically improbable-and therefore had to emerge by gradual degrees...(2)" He says everything on our earth started simple and became more complex as time went on. He also believes there may be more generative processes besides Darwinism and evolution, but we haven't discovered them yet. He writes it is ok to believe in a God, and that science shouldn't try to persuade someone to give up their beliefs. He is accepting of all theories.

Armstrong-She states that Dawkins and the theory of evolution was harsh almost insulting to people of the Christian religion and others. When religions talk about God, he is merely a bigger spiritual power than ourselves. She states that by the end of the 17th century Sir Isaac Newton had proven there was a larger power. Christians became dependent on the fact they could prove God existed. Then Darwinism came about and it disproved their theories, so they lost faith because they became too science dependent. Before modern religion God was uncomprehensible, so was talked about with symbols. St.Augustine stated that if a religious text conflicted with scientific theory, it would be represented allegorically, or with symbols. More recently, however Christians began literally reading the religious texts. Greeks developed two ways for reading these texts: logos and mythos. They worked together to help one understand religious teachings. Logos corresponds with reality, and helps us function in our everyday life. Mythos helps us with emotions, or feelings that can't be answered with logical answers. Mythos was like the early psychology. Cosmology helped people discover attributes deep inside themselves that weren't always obvious to the conscious mind. She states that religion doesn't provide us with explanations we can understand, but helps us live peacefully in our world.

2) Also as you read make notes of what is most intriguing and / or interesting to you. Give at least one example of something that made you "think".

Dawkins-Dawkins surprised me when he said that no intelligent superhuman could create the universe. To me, it would seem that if a being was "superhuman" it could do more than a human could, therefore being able to create the universe. In some of his statements and points he seemed a bit contradictory. I wasn't always sure whether he fully supported the science side or the religious side.

Armstrong- She states that religion is like an art form, that allows us to think in a different way. "At its best, it holds us in an attitude of wonder...(2)" She is not trying to say religion is right and evolution is wrong. She is just stating they are both ways of thinking about the world. This is like what I have heard before, but it was interesting to read that she was not all fired up and angry that someone could undermine religion by saying God did not create the world.

3) Finally, develop a ToK approach to the reading. What is the "knowledge" presented by each of the authors.

Both authors present points that go all the way to Part 4 of what knowledge is. This means they provide evidence for what people believe, and briefly talk about how scientists have proven to people both sides of the evolution argument. The scientific article provides empirical evidence while the religion article provides a bit of empirical evidence by using historical facts, but mostly provides metaphysical evidence when talking about the beliefs of different religions.

The Four Ways of Knowing

What is it? How is it a way of knowing?

1. Sense perception-you must have senses like hearing, seeing, tactile, smelling etc. to observe the world, and “know” on your own.

2. Language- before you have language, you must have sense perception to be able to communicate. Language is any form of communication including between animals and people who can’t speak. It is essential to transfer ideas and teach others and learn more.

3. Reason- After having sense perception and language, you can begin to explain things using what you know. You know something because it makes sense to you.

4. Emotion- the reason you care about things and want to know. This is also how you remember things because when something had a large emotional impact you will remember the way you feel. You use emotion as a way of knowing because you know how you feel affects how you “know” or learn it.

Due Thursday, September 17th:

After reading pages 22 - 29 do the following in your own words:

1) Describe the reasons why people follow (or flock) to religion



People flock to a religion because they feel the need to make sense of their messed up world. It gives them a sense of hope. They can deal with their problems by using answers religion provides. It provides answers to the unanswerable questions which gives people peace. Religion also answers the question of why we have suffering. People believe religions make them happy and healthy.


2) Compare and contrast the following:

Religion and Philosophy

• Religion-rituals and traditions, uses revelation to answer questions, uses belief

-believes in miracles

Similarities: both have ethics, explain what is good, believe in a religious historical figure (one through scientific findings, one through testaments)

• Philosophy- shows what is good, how we should act, uses reason to answer what is true

-accept miracles, not necessarily believe that they happen

Compare Spirituality and Religion:

• Spirituality: does not require membership, no authority structure, willingness to follow what one wants in terms of traditions and beliefs, can even combine religious beliefs, don't need clear ideas

Similarities: help people live in a harsh world

• Religion: clear ideas, requires membership, there is an authority structure (priest, pastor etc.), typically religions tell one what to believe and which traditions to follow. Can not combine religious beliefs within one religion, need clear answers and ideas

What Do You Know? TOK Part 1

Under what circumstances could you be sure you knew something?

Under no circumstances could you be sure you knew anything. Nothing is sure in the world, not even the speed of light. Everyone’s reality is different, therefore there is no reality but your own.

Everything is relative to what we know.

1. You must believe before you know something is true.

2. It must be true before you believe it.

3. Truth is eternal, it does not change.

What is the difference between believing and knowing something?

Believing is you think it is true but you are not sure. Knowing is that you believe it is fact, even though it may not be. The difference is how strongly you believe in something.

Can a statement be true for you and not true for someone else? (what is truth?)

As previously answered, truth is reality, and each person has their own reality, therefore there is no one truth.

Under what circumstances could you justifiably claim your watch keeps perfect time?

There is no such thing as perfect time because it is something we invented. Therefore no one person has the answer or perfect time.

Ways of Being Religious

Read pages 4, 5 and 6:


Describe each of the 6 "ways of being religious" in all religions

Sacred Rite-physical things to do to be religious, following traditions

Reasoned Inquiry-answer questions with what you know/ are taught

Right Action-taking what your religion says into the real world, like 10 commandments

Devotion-worship the god or trust in what one is following

Shamanic Mediation-like praying, speaking with "spiritual reality" or a god of some sort

Mythical Quest-use right action to follow a journey in life with the aim of being rewarded

Using page 9 - 10:What are the advantages of studying religion using this method?

1. They help avoid generalizations- make people stop assuming things about religions and realize that if they hear of one tradition, it does not represent the entire religion

2. They help one understand examples in a religion
-must consider how traditions answer the eternal questions
-look at all traditions within a religion to understand the religion
-don't focus on the specific "mystical experiences", but instead study how their teachings are carried on in the religion

3. They define religious differences-expolore the ways each religion answers the eternal questions. This helps further apreciate differences between religions. We also inadvertantly find similarities.

4. They get rid of false religious contrasts- need to remember when contrasting traditions of different religions that they both answer the eternal questions in their own way

5. They promote in depth studies of religion- the framework allows one to explore the religion in multiple aspects, allowing for a more in depth study

6. They promote peaceful discussions between members of different religions- these six ways promote mutual understanding between people of different religions without fear of attack on their religion



Using the "distinctive traits of Western Religions"Explain what you think are the two greatest differences between the western and eastern traditions.

One God: In western religions there is a God which unites what is and what will be within himself. He is the beginning and the end. He commands all. Everything depends on him for its being and meaning. Anything is possible with God, in essence- miracles are possible. He can do whatever he pleases, but still shows his faithfulness through regular occurances such as seasons.

No God: In eastern religions there is no God. Everything is of one order and works together. These religions worship more person-like beings who have acheived a higher state of being.

Good and Evil: God is the ultimate judge of good and evil. He decides and executes the rewards and punishments. God represents the right, good and just, and is the ultimate enemy of injustice and evil. These beliefs are found in western religions.

Good and Evil: Everything is beyond good and evil. There is more meaning to life such as the belief of Karma. Karma states that "as you sow, so you shall reap (Cannon)."
Right and wrong are impersonal standards. Ultimate reality is composed of both good and evil, maintaining a balance of both. These beliefs are found in eastern religions.

The Human Ego: The human ego should be redeemed not destroyed. One can "cleanse their soul" by following traditions common of western religions.

The Human Ego: The human ego should be destroyed, and the person should become one with Ultimate reality by following traditions commonly found in eastern religions.

Sara

Jesus Shaves

Read the article: "Jesus Shaves" by David Sedaris. Although a humorous essay, what is the important point Sedaris addresses in relation to religious belief? Why is this an important thing to keep in mind when studying religions?

Sedaris addresses the fact that many religions have drastically different beliefs, and that some people can find them ridiculuous or humorous if they hold a different belief. He uses the example of an Easter Bunny that comes on Easter, and the teacher finds this ridiculous. She says that a bell from Rome flies into Paris. Sedaris finds this funny, but near the end of the article he states that if he can hold faith in his beliefs, why not "give other improbabilities the benefit of the doubt? (Sedaris)" Everyone holds faith in their beliefs no matter how ridiculous they might sound to another person. The message Sedaris sends is that any belief can sound rediculous to someone who holds a different opinion.

This is important to keep in mind when studying religions because if you are not open to accept another idea as another belief, you will not learn them. There needs to be understanding between all people of different religions or there will not be peace.

Sara