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GCSE · Theme C: Atheism, Agnosticism and the Nature of Non-Belief

RS.TC12 Atheism, Agnosticism and the Nature of Non-Belief

AQA 8062 · Calculators not allowed · about 50 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

Which one of the following best defines agnosticism, as used in discussions about belief in God or ultimate reality?

A. the belief that God exists and intervenes in the world
B. the denial that any gods exist
C. the view that the existence of God cannot be known
D. the practice of following a religious tradition

(Total for Question 1 is 1 mark)

Give two clear reasons people sometimes give for not believing in God, naming each reason briefly and simply in the context of modern discussion about non-belief.

(Total for Question 2 is 2 marks)

Outline two brief reasons, other than the problem of evil, that some people give for a lack of belief in God in modern Western societies.

(Total for Question 3 is 2 marks)

Explain two reasons why some people identify as atheists rather than agnostics. Give a reason and a linked development for each.

(Total for Question 4 is 4 marks)

Explain two contrasting beliefs about the existence of God, one from a religious point of view and one from a non-religious point of view. Refer to a source of wisdom or authority for the religious belief in your answer.

(Total for Question 5 is 5 marks)

Give three short reasons why some people describe themselves as agnostic rather than atheist or theist, in the context of modern debates about knowledge and belief.

(Total for Question 6 is 3 marks)

Explain two reasons why agnosticism might appeal to some people. Give a reason and a development for each.

(Total for Question 7 is 4 marks)

State two clear differences between atheism and agnosticism, and for each difference give a short explanation of what the difference means.

(Total for Question 8 is 4 marks)

Give three examples of reasons people sometimes give for becoming non-religious in contemporary Britain, other than the problem of evil or scientific accounts.

(Total for Question 9 is 3 marks)

Explain two ways that identifying as an atheist or agnostic might influence a person's ethical decisions or moral life. Give a reason and a linked development for each.

(Total for Question 10 is 4 marks)

Explain two reasons why the requirement for empirical evidence is important to many non-religious people when forming beliefs about God. Give a reason and development for each.

(Total for Question 11 is 6 marks)

Explain three features of atheistic naturalism, as a non-religious worldview, and how each feature supports a lack of belief in God.

(Total for Question 12 is 3 marks)

Explain two reasons why some religious believers might describe themselves as agnostic rather than as convinced theism. Give a reason and a linked development for each.

(Total for Question 13 is 4 marks)

Evaluate the view that agnosticism is a more reasonable position than atheism or theism. In your answer you should give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, refer to religious arguments and non-religious arguments, and reach a justified conclusion. This question is worth 12 marks plus 3 marks for SPaG.

(Total for Question 14 is 15 marks)

Mark scheme · RS.TC12 Atheism, Agnosticism and the Nature of Non-Belief

Question 1

B1 selecting C, the view that the existence of God cannot be known, cao
Answer: C

Question 2

B1 one reason: lack of empirical evidence for God, oe
B1 second reason: the existence of evil and suffering seems incompatible with an all-powerful, loving God, oe
Answer: Any two, e.g. lack of empirical evidence; problem of evil and suffering.

Question 3

B1 any one valid brief reason, for example scientific explanations for origins reducing need for God, oe
B1 any second valid brief reason, for example perceived contradictions or diversity of religions causing scepticism, oe
Answer: Any two from: science offers alternative explanations; diversity/contradictions between religions; lack of personal or cultural religious formation.

Question 4

B1 point 1: atheists often claim there is no convincing evidence for God, oe
B1 development 1: therefore they reject belief in God as unsupported and see atheism as the rational position, oe
B1 point 2: some atheists accept naturalistic explanations for the world and think supernatural explanations are unnecessary, oe
B1 development 2: this leads them to prefer scientific enquiry and methodological naturalism over faith-based claims, oe
Answer: E.g. no convincing evidence so disbelief is rational; naturalistic worldview makes supernatural explanations unnecessary.

Question 5

B1 religious belief: theism, the view that God exists and is the creator and sustainer of the world, oe
B1 development: many theists cite scripture as a source, for example Psalm 19:1 'The heavens declare the glory of God', as evidence of God's role in creation, oe
B1 non-religious belief: atheism, the denial that God exists, often based on the view that there is insufficient evidence, oe
B1 development: atheists may point to scientific accounts of cosmology and evolution as alternatives to theistic explanations, oe
B1 explicit reference to a source of wisdom or authority for the religious belief, named correctly, oe
Answer: Contrast example: theism citing Psalm 19:1 as evidence of God in creation, versus atheism arguing insufficient evidence and offering scientific accounts as alternatives.

Question 6

B1 they believe God's existence cannot be known, so they suspend judgement, oe
B1 they think evidence is currently insufficient either way, oe
B1 they value epistemic humility and prefer to acknowledge limits of human knowledge, oe
Answer: Any three: belief that God's existence cannot be known; insufficient evidence either way; epistemic humility/limits of knowledge.

Question 7

B1 point 1: agnosticism allows people to avoid dogmatic claims when evidence is unclear, oe
B1 development 1: this can be attractive in pluralist societies where certainty on metaphysical questions is contested, oe
B1 point 2: agnosticism respects limits of human knowledge and scientific method, oe
B1 development 2: people who value scientific inquiry may prefer provisional conclusions rather than absolute denial or affirmation, oe
Answer: E.g. avoids dogma when evidence is unclear, suitable for pluralist societies; respects limits of knowledge and fits a scientific approach.

Question 8

B1 difference 1: atheism is the positive denial that God exists, oe
B1 explanation 1: atheists assert there is no God, not just that it is unknown, oe
B1 difference 2: agnosticism is the view that God's existence cannot be known, oe
B1 explanation 2: agnostics suspend judgement and claim insufficient knowledge to assert belief or disbelief, oe
Answer: Any two differences explained, e.g. atheism denies God's existence, agnosticism suspends judgement because it claims knowledge is unavailable.

Question 9

B1 lack of religious upbringing or community, oe
B1 cultural or moral disagreements with organised religion, oe
B1 personal experience of religion failing to meet needs, or negative experiences with religious institutions, oe
Answer: Any three: lack of upbringing; disagreements with organised religion; negative personal or institutional experiences.

Question 10

B1 point 1: without belief in divine command, some non-believers base ethics on secular philosophy or human wellbeing, oe
B1 development 1: this can lead to emphasis on consequences, rights or social contracts rather than obedience to religious rules, oe
B1 point 2: agnostics may act morally from a sense of uncertainty and responsibility rather than divine reward, oe
B1 development 2: this may produce an ethical stance focused on evidence, empathy and human flourishing, oe
Answer: E.g. secular ethical frameworks emphasising wellbeing rather than divine command; agnostics acting from responsibility and humanistic concerns.

Question 11

Level 3 (5-6): A detailed answer that explains two reasons clearly with developed supporting detail, making the importance of empirical evidence explicit and linked to non-religious approaches to knowledge.
Level 2 (3-4): A competent answer that explains one or two reasons with some development, but with limited depth or linking to non-religious approaches.
Level 1 (1-2): A basic answer offering one or two simple points about evidence without development.
Level 0 (0): No relevant content.
Indicative content:
- Many non-religious people accept empirical evidence as a reliable basis for belief because it is publicly testable and repeatable, and so prefer claims that can be investigated.
- Empirical evidence connects to the scientific method, which explains natural phenomena without invoking supernatural causes, so non-religious people may see it as a stronger basis for understanding the world.
- A demand for evidence helps avoid accepting claims on the basis of tradition or authority alone, which appeals to those who prioritise critical thinking and scepticism.
- For some, empirical standards protect against being misled by false claims and support provisional beliefs that can be revised if evidence changes.

Question 12

B1 feature 1: commitment to natural explanations, oe
B1 feature 2: rejection of supernatural causation, oe
B1 feature 3: reliance on empirical science for knowledge claims, oe
Answer: Any three features explained briefly: natural explanations; reject supernatural causation; rely on empirical science, each linked to why they support non-belief.

Question 13

B1 point 1: some believers accept that human understanding of God is limited and so adopt agnosticism about certain attributes or actions of God, oe
B1 development 1: this can express theological humility while retaining a general religious identity, oe
B1 point 2: others may find conflicts between different religious claims and prefer to suspend judgement on which is true rather than commit to a single theistic claim, oe
B1 development 2: this reflects caution in accepting doctrinal claims without what they consider adequate grounds, oe
Answer: E.g. theological humility about human knowledge of God; suspending judgement in face of conflicting religious claims.

Question 14

Level 4 (10-12): A well-reasoned, balanced evaluation. Arguments are developed on both sides with clear use of religious and non-religious reasons, and the conclusion is justified and explained.
Level 3 (7-9): A clear evaluation with developed arguments on at least one side and some consideration of the other side. Religious and non-religious arguments are used but may not be fully balanced.
Level 2 (4-6): A limited evaluation with some relevant points on both sides but little development. References to religious or non-religious arguments are basic.
Level 1 (1-3): Simple statements or assertions with little or no development and limited reference to relevant arguments.
Level 0 (0): No relevant content.
Indicative content:
- Arguments supporting agnosticism as reasonable: it recognises limits of human knowledge and avoids dogmatism when evidence about God is contested.
- Agnosticism emphasises epistemic humility and fits with scientific attitudes that treat claims as provisional pending evidence.
- Religious responses criticise agnosticism for failing to trust revelation, scripture or personal religious experience which theists regard as valid sources of knowledge of God.
- Atheistic responses argue agnosticism is too passive, and that available evidence or philosophical arguments justify disbelief rather than suspension of judgement.
- Consideration of moral or existential aspects: some claim agnosticism leaves less guidance than theism, while others value its openness.
- A balanced conclusion might accept agnosticism as reasonable for some questions while arguing that for others, either theistic or atheistic positions have stronger support depending on the evidence and experience cited.

Atheism, Agnosticism and the Nature of Non-Belief - Worksheets, Questions and Revision