“Devil’s Advocate” Paper On ‘Does God Exist?’

Need a 3 page paper using the following outline as a guide:

 

TOPIC The Existence of God

Thesis (Your own position):  I consider myself to be agnostic, which means that I neither believe nor disbelieve in the existence of God. Whenever something good happens that is hard to explain or there is no explanation for, people are quick to say it is God’s work. I find myself wanting to be live in God, but because I have a more scientific mind, I need proof/evidence before I can believe.

Reason 1:  There is no tangible proof that God exists. We are just to go on faith that there is a God. Throughout history, people have believed in God based purely on hearsay. They believe someone else who said that God has spoken to them.

Reason 2: If God is all knowing, all powerful, and good, then how is it that there is so much suffering and disease in this world? How is it that children and good people are stricken with cancer and bad people are left disease free to commit such horrendous crimes as pedophilia and murder? It is very hard to believe in a God that would allow good people and innocent children to be stricken in such ways.

Objection (Devil’s Advocate):  People who believe are quick to use the Bible as proof that God exists.  The Bible, in their opinion, is the “Holy Word”, directed to man by God to be written.

Response to the Objection: The Bible is a book written by man of stories told by other men throughout many generations.  These men claim to have heard God’s voice speak to them. For all we know, these men could have suffered from some sort of mental illness, such as schizophrenia. 

 

Must supply solid resources to back up each side of the argument.

Grading Rubric attached in pdf file format.

Guidelines for Submission: Each paper must be two to three pages (about 600–1,000 words) and should use double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and discipline-appropriate citations.

Instructor Feedback: This activity uses an integrated rubric in Blackboard. Students can view instructor feedback in the Grade Center. For more information, review these instructions.

Critical Task 1 Rubric

Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value

Main Elements Includes all of the main elements and requirements and cites ample appropriate support to illustrate each element

Includes most of the main elements and requirements and cites appropriate support to illustrate each element

Includes some of the main elements and requirements

Does not include any of the main elements and requirements

25

Inquiry and Analysis Explores multiple reasons and offers in-depth analysis of evidence to make informed conclusions about the issue

Explores some reasons and offers somewhat in-depth analysis of evidence to make informed conclusions about the issue

Explores minimal reasons and offers minimal analysis of evidence to make informed conclusions about the issue

Does not explore reasons and analysis of evidence and does not make informed conclusions about the issue

20

Integration and Application

All of the course concepts are correctly applied

Most of the course concepts are correctly applied

Some of the course concepts are correctly applied

Does not correctly apply any of the course concepts

10

Critical Thinking Demonstrates comprehensive exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion

Demonstrates moderate exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion

Demonstrates minimal exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion

Does not demonstrate exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion

20

Objection and Response

Incorporates and fully develops a strong objection; offers a strong and novel response to that objection

Incorporates and moderately develops an objection; offers an adequate response to that objection

Incorporates but does not fully develop an objection; responds somewhat to that objection

Does not incorporate a full objection; does not respond to that objection

15

Writing (Mechanics/Citations)

No errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations

Minor errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations

Some errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations

Major errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations

10

Earned Total 100%