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Politics : FREE AMERICA
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To: Brumar89 who wrote (14231)6/11/2007 11:13:59 AM
From: one_less  Read Replies (2) of 14758
 
"1) The coming into existence of the universe. Things do not begin without a cause.

I offered Shepp a plausible alternative that is founded in science. The alternative would be that our universe does not come without an explanation or physical cause in tune with the known laws of cosmology. The tiny thing that was banged was a uniform singularity of substance ... similar or exactly like the phenomenon of black holes where all the substance that enters loses its separateness and is so condensed and uniform that it can't be distinguished by having a place in space apart from other things in space. Since such singularity has no physical distinction or space distinction, it can also be referred to as no-thing (something goes to nothing becomes scientific), although some scientists object to the 'nothing' terminology and prefer to use the term singularity.

So the big bang comes as an explosion of this singularity into the many separate things in space ... our universe. The universe also contracts or collapses as we see in black holes. So if the universe has an oscillating function of collapsing and banging again, the process could go on forever. However, if that were true we are still stuck with this uncomfortable notion of eternity in an existence we call temporal.

The importance of this part of the debate is to come to some rational resolution about existence being either eternal or not. The banged universe may be temporary but if it repeats unending then the oscillating universe(s) is not temporary. In an eternity of time the chance of anything accidentally combining to form something new is plausible. However, no one has been able to replicate a process of life from non-life so their is some underlying aspect of life force that remains mysterious.

Eternity is a foundational construct of faith.

Atheists like Shepp refuse to consider the question of eternity because their position is to claim a temporary life where a purpose that might be extending beyond their temporary existence is not useful. As far as the miracle aspect goes, we still have to wonder if it is a willed universe or a universe comprised solely of evolution resulting in chance.

I will see if I can get a more rational atheist to join in.

Best regards,
Gem
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