Strayer Assignment Upon completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

Explain the key differences as well as similarities between monotheism and polytheism.
Explain the “Problem of Evil” and arguments for and against this view: Existence of evil shows that there is no God who is omnipotent, omniscient, and all good.
Explain the fundamental ideas of Humanism and the extent to which it is compatible with religious beliefs.
Strayer Assignment

Answer the questions below and support your arguments with sources and evidence.

1. What are the key differences between monotheism and polytheism?

Based on the Gifford Lecture reading (and any other reading you have done on the subject) what are other major differences between monotheism and polytheism? Do you think one is better than the other, and if so, why? Maybe you think that neither is better, or that there are no gods at all – explain and provide justification for y our views. Provide an example based on your experience.

2. Do you think there are good arguments explaining why a purely good God would allow bad things to happen to good people?

Strayer Assignment Justify your views with your own arguments and references to the course materials.

3. Although a humanist, Paine believed in God and the afterlife. Explain his reasoning and offer your own. Support your own reasoning with your personal example. Your explanation should include a description of the fundamentals of Humanism and a discussion of the extent to which it is compatible with religious beliefs.

Submission Instructions

Write the questions before the answer. Make sure you include an introduction, body and conclusion in your answers.
Your assignment should not be more than 3 pages. Each question should be a maximum of 500 words or 1 page long, excluding the reference list.
Make sure your assignment is in APA format with double-spacing, Times New Roman, 12-point font, and 1” margins. Include citations and a list of references in APA format. For assistance with APA formatting, view the Learning Resource Center: Academic Writing.
Your assignment will be assessed by your instructor using the rubric located on the assignment page on the course home page.

Submission status
Attempt number This is attempt 1.
Submission status No submissions have been made yet
Grading status Not graded
Time remaining 2 days 16 hours remaining
Grading criteria
Rubric
Q1: Differentiate between monotheism and polytheism with proper justification.
The student provides comprehensive, accurate and clear differences between monotheism and polytheism using references and personal examples. Justification to the student’s choice is clearly stated, explained with detail, and well supported.
25 points
The student provides accurate and clear differences between monotheism and polytheism using personal examples. Justification to the student’s choice is explained but not well supported.
20 points
The student provides differences between monotheism and polytheism but fails to provide personal examples/references. Justification to the student’s choice is incomplete and not supported.
15 points
The answer is unclear or unanswered.
0 points

Strayer Assignment
Q2: Justify views on evil and suffering.
The student provides comprehensive, accurate and clear justification for views of evil and suffering. Key ideas are clearly stated, explained in detail, and well-supported using references to the course materials.
25 points
The student provides accurate and clear justification for views of evil and suffering. Key ideas are stated but not well supported using references to the course materials.
20 points
The student provides incomplete justification for views of evil and suffering. Key ideas are not clear or supported using references to the course materials.
15 points
The answer is unclear or unanswered.
0 points
Q3: Description to fundamental beliefs with reasoning, and discussion on religious beliefs.
The student explains Paine’s reasoning and supports the answer with personal example and reasoning of their own. Explanation to the fundamentals of humanism is clearly stated, explained in detail. Provides comprehensive and complete discussion on the compatibility of humanism with religious beliefs.
30 points
The student explains Paine’s reasoning and supports the answer with personal example and reasoning of their own. Explanation to the fundamentals of humanism is stated. Provides discussion on the of compatibility of humanism with religious beliefs.
25 points
The student explains Paine’s reasoning, but the answer is not supported personal example or their reasoning. Explanation to the fundamentals of humanism is incomplete. Provides incomplete discussion on the compatibility of humanism with religious beliefs.
18 points
The answer is unclear or unanswered.
0 points
Proper Delivery
The student uses clear and grammatically correct language. Minimal errors may be present as long as they do not interfere with meaning and ease of reading. Paragraphs are used appropriately, and there is proper transition between sentences and between paragraphs. Answers have clear introduction and conclusion.
10 points
Uses language that generally conveys meaning to readers with clarity, although writing may include some errors.   Grammar, punctuation, or sentence structure errors may be present but do not significantly interfere with meaning. Paragraphs are mainly used appropriately, but there may be abrupt transitions, or excessively long paragraphs but that does not greatly interfere with meaning.
7 points
Uses language that sometimes impedes meaning because of errors in usage or grammar. This can include poor spelling, punctuation or sentence structure, run-on sentences, or inappropriate use of terminology and jargon. This can also include poor transitions between sentences and between paragraphs.
5 points
Uses language that most of the time impedes meaning because of errors in usage or distracts the reader. This can include many incomplete sentences, severe grammar, punctuation or spelling errors, or the use of dense but meaningless jargon.
0 points
Sources and Evidence
Demonstrates consistent use of credible, relevant sources to support ideas that are situated within the discipline and genre of the writing. APA style is used for in-text citations and references with no significant errors.
10 points
Demonstrates and attempts to use credible and/or relevant sources to support ideas that are appropriate for the discipline and genre of the writing. APA style is used for in-text citations and references, with some errors.
7 points
Demonstrates an attempt to use sources to support ideas in writing. APA style is used but poorly, with many errors and omissions.
5 points
Uses no sources to support ideas in writing.