R&I – TxPAT ***
Who or what is God
There is this artificial fight between science and religion it’s artificial because science isn’t the explanation of why we have a universe God is. It’s been said from Aristotle to Hubble scientists and philosophers contemplated an eternal universe. In the last 30 or 40 years as science has been elevated to almost the level of religion, it’s amusing that the general public knew that the universe had a beginning and in general believe God was the cause. It was atheistic scientists that were dragged kicking and screaming into the idea that the universe did have a beginning i.e. big bang cosmology. But even though Hubble presented his findings in the early 1900s but it wasn’t until 1945 that the steady-state theory in cosmology was finally retired.
We come to find out that our galaxy is better suited for life than 98% of the galaxy’s nearby. It’s as if we live in the sweet spot within the universe for advanced life to exist. There are so many laws and constants that have to be in place for our existence in the likelihood of that by chance is so extreme that atheistic scientist has come up with the multi-verse as a workaround. But there’s no observable, testable, or repeatable evidence for the existence of the multi-verse.
The Borde-Vilenkin-Guth Theorem proves that any universe, that has, on average, a rate of expansion greater than one must have a finite beginning. In fact, Vilenkin had this to say regarding the beginning of the universe, “It is said that an argument is what convinces reasonable men and a proof is what it takes to convince even an unreasonable man. With the proof now in place, cosmologists can no longer hide behind the possibility of a past-eternal universe. There is no escape, they have to face the problem of a cosmic beginning.” (Many Worlds in One [New York: Hill and Wang, 2006], p.176)
Definition of finite
1a : having definite or definable limits a finite number of possibilities. b : having a limited nature or existence finite beings. 2 : completely determinable in theory or in fact by counting, measurement, or thought the finite velocity of light.
For atheism, this is a devastating blow because it shows materialism can’t account for the reality of beginnings. After all, if there is only material where did the material come from? It’s been said that matter cannot explain its own existence. Causality demands a cause if something begins to exist. Time, space, matter, and energy began to exist at the Big Bang as an expanding singularity and the universe is still expanding today.
84 percent of the world population has faith; a third are Christian
https://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/watercooler/2012/dec/23/84-percent-world-population-has-faith-third-are-ch/
Romans 1:18-21
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who [a]suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is [b]manifest [c]in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [d]Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
What is thought suppression in psychology?
Thought suppression occurs when we try to ignore or control intrusive thoughts that we find threatening or distressing.
If 84% of the world’s population believes that there is a God that means the other 16% are suppressing that belief or modulating that belief by claiming agnosticism.
Technically, an atheist is someone who doesn’t believe in a god, while an agnostic is someone who doesn’t believe it’s possible to know for sure that a god exists. It’s possible to be both—an agnostic atheist doesn’t believe but also doesn’t think we can ever know whether a god exists.
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/07/believe
Scientists like Einstein, Stephen Hawking, and others have used the term God in a generic sense. It’s simply not fashionable within a materialistic naturalistic scientific community to claim a belief, the fact is many believers in science keep that a private matter because it can affect their career and ability to publish which is the lifeblood of a research scientist.
According to the poll, just over half of scientists (51%) believe in some form of deity or higher power; specifically, 33% of scientists say they believe in God, while 18% believe in a universal spirit or higher power. By contrast, 95% of Americans believe in some form of deity or higher power, according to a survey of the general public conducted by the Pew Research Center in July 2006. Specifically, more than eight-in-ten Americans (83%) say they believe in God and 12% believe in a universal spirit or higher power. Finally, the poll of scientists finds that four-in-ten scientists (41%) say they do not believe in God or a higher power, while the poll of the public finds that only 4% of Americans share this view.
With discoveries like big bang cosmology, a deeper understanding of the nature of life, and other discoveries there are a growing number of scientists that understand they can’t explain these things purely in naturalistic terms if there honest with themselves.
So when we look at the evidence and consider the principle of the best explanation then is more likely than not for there to be a creator outside of space and time. And it could be said this creator used the canvas of space and time to paint everything else in our universe. Because without space where would you have anything and without time when would you have anything.
So atheism is becoming less and less of a reasonable position to take it tends to be more of an emotional position than one based on evidence.
Now we can always play the game that there are thousands of different gods and so which one is the correct one. But most people who play this game would deny any of the other gods they could mention are probably real. It is just a technique to support the suppression of the truth.
So when we consider the beginning of the universe from what we know that cause is outside of time (thus eternal), outside of matter (thus immaterial) with the power to create everything out of nothing (all-powerful), and finely tuned the universe for our existence (loving).
Science tells us that the universe began 13.8 billion years ago. Why? If it began a billion trillion years ago heat death would’ve taken place and we wouldn’t be having this discussion, or if it happened six minutes ago. The fact that there was a definite time that the universe began to exist speaks of a will. That speaks of a mind outside of the universe. (Will/mind or an agent)
So just taking what we know then that cause would be eternal, immaterial, all-powerful and loving and possesses a will/mind. What we know from science doesn’t identify that cause. To identify that cause we have to look outside of science because science breaks down at the Big Bang and they have no possible way to look beyond that.
Personally, I think the evidence is for the God of the Bible.
If you’re an atheist what proof do you have for your position?
If matter did not always exist how can a purely materialistic worldview make any sense?
John Keefe