R.S.

REVISION
GOOD AND EVIL
Good that which is considered morally right (for Christians this is what is in
accordance with Gods commands)
Bad - that which is considered morally wrong (for Christians this is what goes
against Gods commands)
Anicca the Buddist idea that everything changes all the time and nothing is
permanent

SOURCES OF MORAL BEHAVIOUR

Consequences e.g. Utilitarian we must act to create the greatest happiness

for the greatest number BUT need all details, different things make people
happy, hard to determine total happiness, takes long time to decide, ignore
rights of minority
Duty (Immanuel Kant) certain moral principles true at all times and all
situations, we use our reason to work out these moral principles BUT depends
on situation, can cause more harm than good, no exceptions, doesnt deal
well with contradictions
Emotions (emotivism) statements of right and wrong neither true nor false
as dont state facts but simply express the emotions of speaker BUT someone
enjoyed doing bad things they could justify it, people have different feelings
about things
Conscience An inner feeling that advises us on whether our actions are right
or wrong (from God (why do people have different consciences? why did God
put some moral values above others if there were no standards? if there were
standards then God is not the ultimate source of moral authority?), parents,
society, evolved attitudes?)
Prayer Asking God for help in making decisions through prayer
The Church The Church is guided by the Holy Spirit and Gods will is
revealed through its teachings, traditions and the Pope
The Bible The word of God and gives clear moral guidelines
Jesus Follow the example of Jesus because he was perfect and did not
commit sin

GOD AND THE DEVIL

God omnibenevolent, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, wise, just,

forgiving
The Devil
Origins (Apocrypha) Lucifer, fallen angel, wanted to be more powerful
than God, cast out of Heaven
Physical Characteristics goat-like, trident, forked tail, horns, shape
shifter, red
Psychological Characteristics cunning, greedy, cruel, power hungry,
sinful, tempter, manipulative, malevolent, knows your deepest desires
Different Interpretations

Catholics real, literal description in Bible, possess people/

buildings
Quakers metaphorical, represents struggle between good and
evil everyone faces

THE FALL
Eve was told by a snake (Satan) to eat fruit from the tree of knowledge good and evil
the one tree God had told them not to eat from. She gave into temptation and also
offered some to Adam who accepted it. They both realised they were naked so hid
from God. God then realised they disobeyed him and so banished them and the
snake from the Garden of Eden. That is how humanity fell from perfection and
brought sin to humanity/ evil into a perfect world.

ORIGINAL SIN
The Christian doctrine that says everyone is born sinful as a result of when Adam
and Eve disobeyed God which turned the whole human race away from God. It
separates individuals from God and explains the presence and universality of sin in
human history.

REDEMPTION
The only way to be saved from the consequences of original sin is by the grace of
God. This can be achieved by accepting his love and forgiveness, believing Jesus
died on the cross to redeem their sins and getting baptised.

THE PROBLEM OF EVIL

If God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent, why does he not stop
suffering?
Irenaeus Theodicy When we are born, we do not have knowledge of God
so we are an epistemic distance from him. God gave us free will to choose to
become good and turn to him which is the meaning to our lives (soul-making).
Moral evil is a result of trying to become a child of God and misusing our free
will. Natural evil is allowed by God for a divine purpose e.g. developing
compassion.
Too much evil? Benevolent God allow/ create evil?
Augustines Theodicy The world was created perfectly good. Evil is not a
force or power (which would suggest the God is not omnipotent) but instead a
lack of good like blindness is a lack of sight. Moral evil is a result of angels
and humans misusing their free will. Natural evil is a punishment for sin.
Evil cant be created ex nihilo? World must be imperfect otherwise
wouldnt have knowledge of misusing free will? Evolution says world
developing from chaos so imperfect? If Hell is real then God knew evil
would happen?
The Free Will Defence Humans must be able to freely choose whether to
turn to God or not. God cannot stop evil as this jeopardises human free will.
God justified in letting such great evils happen?
Process Theodicy We must change the definition of God as he is not
omnipotent because he was not responsible for creation but instead a part of

it. He is limited by the laws of physics but tries to use the forces of nature to
create good he is the fellow sufferer who understands.

COPING WITH SUFFERING

Christian Methods
Trust in God God cares about people and wouldnt let them suffer
unnecessarily so we should put our faith in him that there is a god reason. If
you follow God even when its hard to understand his actions then you will be
rewarded in the end
Forgiveness Follow the example of Jesus who forgave Judas and the
Romans. It gives both parties closure and allows you to move on.
Prayer Through prayer you can become closer to God. You can speak to
him and lift the burden of suffering off your shoulders. You can draw strength
from him and no longer feel alone
Other methods
Buddhists Suffering is a result of bad karma. You can prevent suffering if
you accept anicca (impermanence) and release yourself from attachment to
worldly things so that when they are lost, you do not suffer.
Nietzchean Suffering is a gift that allows us to develop self-understanding
and creativity. It tests us and makes us stronger by giving us the vigour to
tackle greater suffering in the future with optimism.