Atheism and agnosticism

Lesson Plans

What does it mean to be atheist and agnostic?

In this lesson students will learn about the difference between atheism and agnosticism. Exploring different scenarios, they will consider whether it is possible to be certain about your belief or non-belief in a god or gods. They will explore how Humanism means more than just atheism or agnosticism. Finally they will go on to explore the motives and justification for the 'atheist' bus campaign before designing a campaign of their own to express how they believe people should live their lives. Download

Presentations

What does it mean to be atheist and agnostic?

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Activities

Belief in god scale

Place the beliefs on the scale between atheist and theist. Download

Is it still possible?

If particular events happen, it is still possible that a god exists, and still possible that one does not exist? Can we ever be certain? Download

Invisible pencil-eating monster

Is it possible to prove an invisible monster does not exist? If not, does that mean we should believe in one? Download

Russell's teapot

Explore the burden of proof by asking if it is possible to prove an invisible teapot does not exist. If not, does that mean we should believe in one? Download

The invisible gardener

Is it possible to prove an invisible gardener does not exist? If not, does that mean we should believe in one? Download

The bus campaign

Questions about the purpose of, reactions to, and appropriateness of the 'atheist' bus campaign. Analyse the language used to decide if the campaign was atheist, agnostic, or humanist. Download

Humanist responses: atheism and agnosticism

Fill in the speech bubbles with how humanists might respond to statements and questions about atheism, agnosticism, and humanism. Download

Humanist Perspectives

Atheism, agnosticism, and Humanism

What are the meanings of the words 'atheism' and 'agnosticism'? Is it possible to be certain about your belief or non-belief in a god or gods? How is Humanism more than just atheism or agnosticism? Download

Gods

Why don't humanists believe in a god or gods? If gods don't exist, why might people believe in them? How important is the question of a god's existence to humanists? Download

Presentations

Gods

This presentation contains slides relevant to the activities and the humanist perspectives on arguments for gods and the problem of evil. Download

Activities

Concept cartoon on belief

Why might people believe in ghosts? Why might people believe in gods? Are these good reasons? Download

More or less likely

Do these events make it more or less likely a god exists? Would they change your beliefs? Download

Humanist responses: arguments for gods

Fill in the speech bubbles with how humanists might respond to arguments for the existence of a god. Download

The problem of evil activities

Is there a non-scientific reason why things happen? Is it always appropriate to keep asking 'Why'? Download

Epicurus and the problem of evil

Can you reconstruct Epicurus' argument against the existence of an omnipotent, benevolent god? Download

Consequences of non-belief

If one doesn't believe in a god or gods, can you still live a happy, ethical, and meaningful life? Download

Films

How do we know what is true?

(Age 11+) A short animation about how humanists believe science is the best method for answering questions about the world. Watch

Humanist Perspectives

Gods

Why don't humanists believe in a god or gods? If gods don't exist, why might people believe in them? How important is the question of a god's existence to humanists? Download

Arguments for gods

How might a humanist respond to the different arguments put forward for the existence of a god? How might humanists explain alleged miracles? Download
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The problem of evil

Why might humanists believe the existence of so much evil and suffering in the world is evidence against an omnipotent, benevolent god? Download
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