Reference no: EM133497179

Assignment: Scientific Big Bang Theory & Gods Universe Creation

Part I

A. Conservative Judaism maintains the source of ethics is the Torah both written and spoken. However, as is typical of many religions, the Torah was written a long time ago. In this case, it was written around the 5th century BCE (Before Common Era). A lot has changed since the book was written.

a. Do you think it is reasonable to put your trust in any book especially one written so long ago?

B. Modern Judaism is divided upon the issue of homosexuality. Reconstructionist and Reform Judaism holds that homosexuality and same-sex marriage are allowed. Orthodox Judaism maintains the opposite view.

a. Which view do you agree with and why?

C. Conservative Judaism maintains that one must follow the Torah in order to be ethical. It follows from that claim, that atheists cannot be ethical.

a. Do you agree with the claim that one must follow the Torah in order to be ethical? And do you agree that atheists cannot be ethical?

Part II

A. Huston Smith, who was an excellent religious scholar, says that regarding Jesus, "We know almost nothing about him" (Smith 318). Does it matter that we know almost nothing about the historical Jesus? Why or why not?

B. Catholicism maintains that marriage is the union of a man and a woman. Therefore, Same-Sex marriage, as well as civil unions, are not allowed under the Catholic Church's rules. Do you agree? Should Same-Sex Marriage be allowed? Why or why not?

C. Catholicism maintains that abortion is wrong, except for indirect abortions. (An indirect abortion is an abortion that occurs as a side effect of another necessary medical procedure.) Do you agree? Should abortion be allowed? Why or why not?

D. Catholicism maintains that there is no conflict between the scientific theory of the Big Bang and the creation of the universe by God. What do you think? Is there are conflict? How would you resolve this conflict?

E. As we have seen in the first half of the semester, there are different religions that worship more than one God such as Hindusim, Mahayana Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism. Which do you think is better, having many gods to pray to or a single god to pray to? Why or why not?

F. Idolatry is typically considered wrong in the Abrahamic religions as one is worshiping an image (statues, pictures, etc...) rather than God. Yet, Catholicism allows statues (and stained glass windows, and paintings), while the Eastern Orthodox Church allows Icons such as paintings.

a. Do you think allowing statues or paintings is idolatry? Why or why not?

G. Does the corruption of the Catholic church justify the actions of the Protestant reformation? Why or why not?

H. Should someone start attending a church if he or she doesn't believe in God?

I. The different Christian denominations have different interpretations about how to interpret the Bible. Catholicism says that it is important but not as important as the Church's hierarchy and its doctrines. Protestantism claim that the Bible alone is all that is needed for salvation.

a. Which do you agree with and why?

J. Is the Bible figurative or literal? Explain (justify) your answer.

K. There's a lot of bad news on TV every day. The world is in chaos. How can there be a God? (This question is a version of the "Problem of Evil.")

a. Explain whether you think there God exists or not, taking into consideration that there is evil in the world.