What arguments are given for and against the existence of God?
Philosophical arguments for the existence of God (design and cosmological), the argument from miracles and revelation, science and the origins of the universe, and the problem of evil as an argument against God.
A focused answer on arguments about the existence of God for OCR GCSE Religious Studies (J625), covering the design and cosmological arguments, miracles, revelation, science versus religion on the origins of the universe, and the problem of evil, from Christian and Muslim perspectives and non-religious views.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
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What this dot point is asking
OCR wants you to explain the main arguments for and against the existence of God: the philosophical arguments (design and cosmological), the arguments from miracles and revelation, the relationship between science and religion on the origins of the universe, and the problem of evil as an argument against God. This is the existence of God theme, and it is heavy on AO2 evaluation. You need each argument, its weaknesses, and how believers and non-believers respond, with sources.
Arguments for the existence of God
Believers also argue from miracles and religious experience / revelation (below). These arguments do not "prove" God like a sum, but believers say they make belief reasonable; critics reply that the universe's order could come from natural laws or chance, and that a First Cause need not be the God of any religion.
Miracles and revelation
For believers, miracles and revelation are strong reasons for faith: they are direct experiences of God. Sceptics (including the philosopher David Hume) reply that the evidence for miracles is weak, that natural or psychological explanations are more likely, and that religious experiences could be illusions or brain states. This disagreement is part of the dialogue between religious and non-religious views.
Science, religion and the origins of the universe
A key modern debate is whether science disproves God. Scientific accounts explain the universe's origin (the Big Bang) and the development of life (evolution by natural selection). Some atheists argue this removes the need for God. But many believers hold there is no conflict: science explains the how (the mechanism), while religion explains the why (the meaning and purpose). Many accept theistic evolution (God creating through the Big Bang and evolution), and read Genesis or the Qur'an's creation accounts non-literally. A minority (creationists) reject parts of science where they seem to contradict scripture. This range matters for the evaluation question.
The problem of evil
Believers respond: the free will defence (moral evil is the cost of genuine human freedom, which is needed for love and goodness); suffering as a test or means of growth (the Book of Job; the Irenaean soul-making theodicy); the example of Jesus or the prophets, who suffered; and trust that an all-knowing God has reasons beyond human understanding. Practically, believers respond with prayer, charity and hope of the afterlife. Non-believers and humanists argue these responses fail, especially for natural evil, and that the simplest explanation is that no all-powerful, all-loving God exists.
Try this
Q1. What is the cosmological (First Cause) argument? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. The argument that everything that exists has a cause, so the universe must have a cause; to avoid an infinite regress there must be an uncaused First Cause, which believers identify as God.
Q2. Explain how a believer might respond to the problem of evil. [Short explanation]
- Cue. They might use the free will defence (moral evil is the cost of genuine freedom), see suffering as a test that builds character, point to Jesus or the prophets who suffered, and trust that God has reasons beyond human understanding.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR J625 20192 marksGive two arguments used to support belief in the existence of God.Show worked answer →
This is the 2-mark AO1 question, 1 mark per point. Give two distinct arguments, for example the design (teleological) argument (the order and purpose in the universe point to a designer) and the cosmological (First Cause) argument (everything has a cause, so there must be a first cause, God). Other acceptable answers include the argument from miracles or from religious experience and revelation. Markers want two separate arguments, so do not give the same one twice.
OCR J625 20216 marksExplain the design argument for the existence of God. Refer to sources of wisdom and authority in your answer.Show worked answer →
This is the 6-mark extended AO1 question. Explain that the design (teleological) argument claims the universe shows order, purpose and complexity (like an eye or the laws of nature), which could not arise by chance, so it must have a designer, namely God. Develop with Paley's watch analogy: finding a watch implies a watchmaker, so a designed universe implies a divine designer. Anchor in sources: the Qur'an points to the signs (ayat) in creation as evidence of Allah, and the Bible says "the heavens declare the glory of God" (Psalm 19:1). The top band rewards a developed explanation with a source.
OCR J625 202215 marks"The problem of evil proves that God does not exist." Discuss this statement. In your answer you should: refer to religious teachings and sources of wisdom and authority; give reasoned arguments to support this statement; give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view; reach a justified conclusion.Show worked answer →
This is the 15-mark AO2 evaluation question. Argue both sides. Arguments for the statement: an omnipotent, omnibenevolent God could and would prevent suffering, yet evil exists (the inconsistent triad); natural evil, like earthquakes, harms innocents with no human cause, so the attributes seem contradictory. Arguments against: believers answer with free will (moral evil is the cost of genuine freedom), suffering as a test or soul making, the example of Jesus or the prophets who suffered, and trust in Allah's or God's greater wisdom; evil challenges faith but does not disprove God. Use specialist terms (omnipotent, omnibenevolent, moral and natural evil, theodicy). A justified conclusion weighs whether evil disproves God or is a challenge believers can answer.
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