In this course of study we examined the challenges to faith which were seen to be aspects like; Atheism, Scienticism and Consumerism which aided in this idea that our faith can be a challenge. Derivations of these three aspects included an introduction to various beliefs and philosophies of individuals, some of whom either obtain a strong belief in God or contrary to this, establishes a faith that is centered around this idea that belief in God is unessential or God himself is non-existent. These ideas, as a result, illustrates how maintaining faith is such a challenge. The three aspects of Atheism, Scienticism and Consumerism were key focal points when determining aspects that were challenges to faith. The first, Atheism, is a belief that is centered on this idea that God does not exist. Within this belief arises two categories, one of which are the positive atheists, whom are individauls that make a "conscious and deliberate decision that God does not exist" (FRR p.107). An example of this would be Friedrich Nietzsche who says that "belief in God is dead" (FRR p.109). The other is this idea of practical atheists, who are people that claim to be of a religion that believes in the existence of God but doesn't "talk about God, harbors no clear beliefs about Him, and whose personal moralities are at odds with Jesus' teachings" (FRR p.107). These subjective aspects as well as others highlight the characteristic of Athiesm as a challenge to faith. Another focal point is this subject of Scienticism and how its characteristics as well as its conflict/competition with faith ilustrates a challenge to faith itself. Scienticism derives from science and highlights how "many believe that science is the only legitimate source of truth" (FRR. p.130). It is viewed as a "stumbling block" to obtaining strong faith because it completely dismisses any essence of faith. The other main aspect that introduces a challenge to faith is the evergrowing subject of consumerism and how it essentially adopts this "Power of Dehumanization" (FRR.p.145). This is a major obstacle due to the fact that it is such a value in our society and it does just as it is implied, it consumes. Not only our money and belongings but more importantly it consumes us personally. Initially it presents a challenge because consumerism causes individuals to essentially turn from Jesus' teaching, which says that we should not store up earthly treasures but to instead store treasures in Heaven because where our treasures are so will our heart be (Matthew 7:19-21). Consumerism unlike the others seems to me more direct due to the fact that it is what most individuals relate themselves to. These three aspects are clearly challenges to faith because they not only introduce new ideas but at times work to eliminate others.

2. List and explain three of the most important ideas you want to remember from this week.

a) Reflective Disunity- Reflective Disunity is a type of relationship that emphasizes the time in which a "child collects life-experience and grows in self-knowledge," (FRR.p,134) and from this he tends to become "alienated" (FRR.p.134) from his parents due to the fact that he/she has had an "increased reflection" (FRR.p.134). The teenager has reached an age where he no longer resides in the shadows of his parents but is more "[aware] of himself as an individual" (FRR.p.134).

b)Existentialism- A philosophical movement derived from Kierkegaard, Nietzsche and Dosteoevsky which states that the most important questions aren't "subjective (those which concern reality in general) but "objective (those which concern a person directly)" (FRR.p.138).

c) Fear of the cost- This is an aspect that means an individual will avoid certain things because they are concerned that it may change their lives completely. It also describes a person's attitude when something may be life-changing for that individual.

3. One or two good images that remind me of key ideas.

"Hobbes in Thought"

Up Close and Personal