Problem
A. The Hebrew and Christian Bibles and Islamic Qur'an all present the commandments of God. They are strikingly similar. Presumably all three religions pray to the same God. Briefly explain some of the disputes they have with each other.
B. What is the "synoptic problem"? Give one reason that it should not exist. Give your own explanation of what might account for it.
C. Augustine maintained that human beings are given free will by God and thus are responsible for their sins. At the same time, he said that God, being all-knowing, must see in advance everything that we are going to do. How did Augustine reconcile these two apparently opposing ideas? Do you think he succeeded?
D. Would the discovery of life on other planets strengthen or diminish the role of religion in modern society?
E. John Scopes, a high school biology teacher, was tried and convicted for teaching the theory of evolution [which was explained in the state-mandated science textbook science teachers were told to use]. What, in your opinion, was the issue at the core of the trial? Has the issue been resolved once and for all? Explain the answer.
F. Can you have God without religion, or religion without God? In your discussion, consider Classical Greek philosophy and Buddhism
G. In your opinion, are humans natural inclined to greed, rebellion, and evil? What forces, both inner and outer, cause humans to do evil? What forces cause them to do good? Consider the fact that we need to discipline children and need governments to keep people in line.
H. Some philosophers claim that humans are naturally good, and that they are only corrupted by a depraved society. One might wonder, then, since society is made up of humans, where does this depravity come from?