Science as a challenge to God

Who made the most important contribution to the science & religion

debate?• Copernicus• Brahe• Kepler• Galillei• Newton • Hubble

What does this quote suggest?

• “An expanding universe does not preclude a creator, but it does place limits on when he might have carried out his job”

Stephen Hawkings

Contrast this with Ockham’s Razor

• Named after the 14th Century Philosopher, William Ockham.

• ‘Do not multiply entities beyond necessity’. Often simplified to ‘the simplest explanation is usually the last one’.– In other words, the most simple solution is normally the

correct explanation.

Is God the simplest solution for the existence of our World?

Does the universe exist by ‘chance’?

• Explain to your neighbour: The Cosmological Argument as outlined by Aquinas and Tenant’s Anthropic Principle.

• Do these help us to ascertain whether the world was created by ‘chance’?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYHoaQjqf88

Definition: Intelligent Design

• Intelligent Design: A theory suggesting that the universe shows evidence that it is created by God.

The Goldilocks Theory

Just as Goldilocks found the porridge that was just right, the Earth

seems to be just right for living creatures. The Earth seems to be

the perfect distance from the sun for lots of water.

Venus is too close to the sun, and too hot for flowing water on its

surface. In fact, it is so hot that, like a sauna, all the water has been

evaporated into the atmosphere, and Venus has a thick and heavy

atmosphere.

The Goldilocks Theory

Mars is too far from the sun, and too cold for flowing water on its surface. Mars also has no continental drift, so particles of the atmosphere which become trapped within the ground stay trapped within the ground. Thus over time the atmosphere of Mars has become thin, and all the water is frozen into the ground.

The temperature of Earth is just right for flowing water on the surface, and for the rock which allows for continental drift. With continental drift, particles of the atmosphere which become trapped within the ground are brought back to the atmosphere through eruptions of volcanoes. These conditions cause refreshment of the planet's atmosphere. A medium sized atmosphere helps keep temperatures just right for flowing water (through the greenhouse effect). These conditions are just right for abundant life.

Answer the question below

• Does this theory offer support to

theologians or scientists?• Discuss this in your groups and write

a suitable answer

What evidence have we gathered so far?

• Religion & Science in conflict?• Religion & Science in complementary?• Religion & Science co-existing?

• Add to your A3 sheet information that you have gathered today.