9.1 Origins of the Universe (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Flashcards
Exam code: 8062
1/480Still learning
Know0
Define the Big Bang.
Was this flashcard helpful?
Cards in this collection (48)
Define the Big Bang.
The scientific theory that the universe began with a rapid expansion of matter and energy from a tiny compressed space following a huge explosion.
According to the Big Bang theory, what happened after the initial explosion?
As the matter slowed, gravity pulled it together to form stars and planets; on Earth an atmosphere developed, plants formed and life evolved.
How do non-religious people explain how the universe began?
They look to science — believing the universe started by chance through the Big Bang.
What are the two main pieces of scientific evidence for the Big Bang?
The Red Shift and Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMB).
What does the Red Shift show?
That the universe is expanding — light from distant galaxies shifts towards the red end of the spectrum as wavelengths lengthen, suggesting increasing distance.
Who discovered in 1929 that the universe is expanding?
Edwin Hubble.
What is Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMB)?
A faint glow of light filling the universe — the residual heat or 'afterglow' of the Big Bang, and the oldest light we can see.
The ______ ______ is the afterglow of the Big Bang, released as the universe expanded and cooled.
The Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation is the afterglow of the Big Bang, released as the universe expanded and cooled.
Why should you avoid saying 'all scientists believe the universe began by chance'?
Because some scientists are religious — they may accept the evidence for the Big Bang but believe God instigated it. Use 'some', not 'all'.
How do some religious people explain the origin of the universe differently from scientists?
They believe their scriptures explain how it started and that God was the creator, rather than it happening by chance.
True or False?
Scientists believe the universe is still expanding.
True.
The Red Shift is taken as evidence that the universe is still expanding.
According to the Big Bang account, what were the first living things on Earth?
Simple single-celled beings, from which all other life — including humans — developed.
Define the Theory of Evolution.
The scientific theory of the development of species — that living things have changed over a long period from simple organisms into complex life forms.
Who developed the Theory of Evolution, and in which book?
Charles Darwin, in The Origin of Species (1859).
Define natural selection.
The process by which individuals with favourable genes are more likely to survive and breed, passing those genes on, while those without them die out.
Darwin explained the process of natural selection as the '______ of the ______'.
Darwin explained the process of natural selection as the 'survival of the fittest'.
According to Darwin, where did life first appear?
Single-celled creatures appeared in the sea as the earth cooled, and over a long period evolved into other species.
What happens to species that fail to adapt?
They become extinct.
Why does the Theory of Evolution conflict with some religious beliefs?
Some religious people believe God created humans in their current form, whereas evolution says humans developed gradually from simpler creatures.
How do some religious people reconcile evolution with their faith?
They accept the Theory of Evolution but believe it is God the Creator who controls the process.
True or False?
Darwin intended The Origin of Species as proof that there is no God.
False.
Darwin did not intend it as proof against a creator God; at the time he believed God was responsible for the process.
Why can individuals of the same species differ from one another?
Because of the genes they inherit from their ancestors — some genes increase the chance of survival.
Define a literalist (creationist) view of scripture.
The belief that scripture is the literal truth of creation — e.g. that God made the world in six 24-hour days and scripture is infallible.
Define a non-literalist (moderate) view of scripture.
The belief that the creation account is true but not literally — a metaphor for how God created the world (e.g. a 'day' means a much longer period).
Define ex nihilo.
Creation 'out of nothing' — Christians believe God created the earth ex nihilo, as revealed in Genesis.
Which two chapters of the Bible describe creation, and what does each focus on?
Genesis 1 (the order of creation over seven days) and Genesis 2 (God creating man, then woman, and his relationship with humanity).
What happened on Day 6 and Day 7 of the Genesis creation account?
Day 6 – animals and humans; Day 7 – God rested.
What does Genesis 1:27 say about how God created humans?
'So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.'
How do most Muslims understand the 'days' of creation in the Qur'an?
As six phases (periods), rather than literal days; the Qur'an does not mention a day of rest.
How does the Qur'an describe God's relationship with creation after it was made?
God organised the whole universe under his watchful command — 'He is with you wherever you are' (Qur'an 57:4); creation never ends but continues with every new birth.
Adam's disobedience in eating from the Forbidden Tree meant all mankind was punished — this is called ______ ______.
Adam's disobedience in eating from the Forbidden Tree meant all mankind was punished — this is called Original Sin.
Why does scripture have authority for non-literalist Christians?
Because it tells them about God's character and humanity's place in the universe — a symbolic account — even if not a literal scientific record.
What does the creation account tell Christians about God's character?
That God is omnipotent, created deliberately and in an ordered way (not by accident), and was pleased — 'it was very good' (Genesis 1:31).
What does it mean that humans were made 'in God's image'?
That humans are special and have a unique, personal relationship with God — shown by God breathing life into Adam.
True or False?
All religious people interpret their scriptures on creation literally.
False.
Some are literalists (creationists), while non-literalists read the account as symbolic and may accept scientific theories alongside it.
How do Muslim beliefs about creation compare with Christian ones?
They are similar — both believe God created the universe; Muslims generally understand creation as six phases and stress God's ongoing command over creation.
What is the basis of scientific teachings compared with religious teachings?
Scientific teachings develop from theories based on reason and evidence; religious teachings are based on faith and acceptance that scripture is true.
What different questions do science and religion ask about the universe?
Science asks how the universe came to be; religion is also interested in why it happened.
Why might someone argue scientific truth is more important?
It is based on experimentation so is repeated and verified, and it explains practical facts about how the world works.
Why might someone argue religious truth is more important?
It is knowledge from God (who is all-knowing), it answers questions of meaning and purpose, and, being based on scripture, it does not change.
Give a reason some see science and religion as incompatible.
Christians believe God created the universe whereas some scientists believe it happened by chance; literalists say God made it in 6 days, contradicting the longer scientific timescale.
Why might a literalist reject scientific views on the age of the universe?
They believe scripture contains the absolute truth, so scientific theories must be wrong — some say God made the universe appear older than it is.
How can many Christians accept the Big Bang theory?
They see it as the mechanism God used to bring the world into being — nothing in the theory itself proves there is no God.
How do some Christians reconcile evolution with the Bible?
They see science and religion as asking different questions, so they are compatible; the Bible is an authoritative account of God's relationship with humans, not a science textbook.
Some Christians argue the Big Bang could have been the ______ that God used to create the universe.
Some Christians argue the Big Bang could have been the mechanism that God used to create the universe.
Give an argument supporting 'It is possible to believe in both the Big Bang and religious teachings'.
God may have caused the Big Bang; most scientists agree the universe had a beginning, so God could be the first cause; creation 'days' may represent longer periods.
Give an argument against 'It is possible to believe in both the Big Bang and religious teachings'.
The Big Bang needs no supernatural cause — the universe could have come about by accident; evolution took billions of years, not six days; and there are contradictions in the religious accounts.
True or False?
Religious and scientific views on origins are always in conflict.
False.
Many people hold them as compatible — accepting scientific explanations while believing God controls the process.
Sign up to unlock flashcards
or