Do you believe a higher power created the universe, or do you believe in just the Big Bang?
Oct 23, 2023 18:23:49 #
I know the story well about how the term "Big Bang" was coined, and it has fascinated me for a very long time.
In science, a theory is not just some disposable idea. A theory is a well-established model about some area of interest, based on numerous observations and tests (tests when possible. Testing is not always possible).
Theories can be still modified or even discarded if new findings warrant it.
According to calculations about the expanding universe, the Big Bang happened 13.8 billion years ago. The earth and sun and our entire solar system is about 4.5 billion years old (give or take. It was rather gradual, really).
After many years of observations and testing, those ages have held up. Our galaxy has oh, about 200 billion stars, and there are 100's of billions of galaxies outside of our own. We can't even see the edge of our universe and probably never will because of physics.
I don't believe in a higher power of any sort since I know of no reason why that is even needed.
In science, a theory is not just some disposable idea. A theory is a well-established model about some area of interest, based on numerous observations and tests (tests when possible. Testing is not always possible).
Theories can be still modified or even discarded if new findings warrant it.
According to calculations about the expanding universe, the Big Bang happened 13.8 billion years ago. The earth and sun and our entire solar system is about 4.5 billion years old (give or take. It was rather gradual, really).
After many years of observations and testing, those ages have held up. Our galaxy has oh, about 200 billion stars, and there are 100's of billions of galaxies outside of our own. We can't even see the edge of our universe and probably never will because of physics.
I don't believe in a higher power of any sort since I know of no reason why that is even needed.
Oct 23, 2023 18:25:10 #
Oct 23, 2023 19:04:12 #
JimBart
Loc: Western Michigan
As a Christian…. The Bible said “ In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth…. Etc”. (Genesis 1:1) I believe this and I guess that settles it for me.
Oct 23, 2023 19:09:11 #
JimBart wrote:
As a Christian…. The Bible said “ In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth…. Etc”. (Genesis 1:1) I believe this and I guess that settles it for me.
That is where I have a problem with religion and the bible. If we had such an empowering God why do we have so many problems in the world today?
Oct 23, 2023 19:30:27 #
JimBart
Loc: Western Michigan
bcheary wrote:
That is where I have a problem with religion and the bible. If we had such an empowering God why do we have so many problems in the world today?
Bcheary… personally I will take exception with your statement “If we had such an empowering God”. To me this means we have no God…. In my life I recognize God as my Savior,my Redeemer and my Friend. I owe my existence to Him. Consequently, my God as noted by the Newsboys in a recent song is “God is not dead He’s surely alive, He’s living on the inside, roaring like a lion …”
Enough said and no further debates
Oct 23, 2023 20:10:35 #
JimBart wrote:
Bcheary… personally I will take exception with your statement “If we had such an empowering God”. To me this means we have no God…. In my life I recognize God as my Savior,my Redeemer and my Friend. I owe my existence to Him. Consequently, my God as noted by the Newsboys in a recent song is “God is not dead He’s surely alive, He’s living on the inside, roaring like a lion …”
Enough said and no further debates
Enough said and no further debates
To each is own!
Oct 23, 2023 20:56:04 #
I am certain of one thing: I am not smart enough to know or understand how it all happened or is happening. So I keep an open mind.
Oct 23, 2023 21:39:49 #
mikey12654
Loc: Vancouver, WA
Well, I do believe in the BB theory and a higher power but not in any of the religions in the world, I would call myself spiritual but not religious I guess. I've found that when talking to a self-described Christian about the contents of the Bible they tend to avoid some of the parts. The creation story comes to mind as does so many other parts, I have no problem with anyone's beliefs as long as it's not pushed on me or especially not on my government. I do believe in reincarnation so I guess I'm partial to Eastern Philosophy, I believe this physical world is like a school and that we choose to come here many times to learn lessons that will help us in our spiritual growth. I believe there are many levels on the other side in our spiritual quest/growth, I also believe that nothing is more important than love and compassion.
Oct 23, 2023 22:40:19 #
Oct 23, 2023 22:41:05 #
Interesting conversation. I used to try to debate with people about their religion versus my lack of it. But now I think if you are staggered by the beauty and complexity of nature, and are open to learn interesting new things about it, then we can be friends.
Oct 24, 2023 05:33:59 #
Oct 24, 2023 06:09:31 #
kpmac wrote:
I am certain of one thing: I am not smart enough to know or understand how it all happened or is happening. So I keep an open mind.
Me too, that’s the most intelligent way to look at it. We don’t know Do we, nobody does.
Bruce
Oct 24, 2023 07:10:06 #
Figure Einstein was getting there with his "E-MCsquared" idea. He made a relationship between energy and mass. Not a mathemetician, but formulas can be turned around. Anyone ever consider that Mass (Matter?) = Energy divided by the Speed of Light squared? Probably not exact, as I don't even know the relevance of squaring something like the speed of light, but a number of times, the scriptures do mention that God made what he made by His great power (Energy?), wisdom, and understanding.
Just another thought; when we burn wood, we are releasing the energy put there by the sun. Ever wonder where the nuclear energy came from, not just in uranium, but in every, more stable substance? When the energy in only a few grams of matter is nuclearly released, whole cities can be destroyed. That energy was not put there by the sun...
Just another thought; when we burn wood, we are releasing the energy put there by the sun. Ever wonder where the nuclear energy came from, not just in uranium, but in every, more stable substance? When the energy in only a few grams of matter is nuclearly released, whole cities can be destroyed. That energy was not put there by the sun...
Oct 24, 2023 07:10:08 #
Harry02
Loc: Gardena, CA
I keep hearing positions that the BB was the formation of a Black Hole.
If so, there could be many others beyond our rim.
as there are others in ours, we may be another.
n infinite number of recursive tablelegs.
If so, there could be many others beyond our rim.
as there are others in ours, we may be another.
n infinite number of recursive tablelegs.
Oct 24, 2023 07:27:39 #
The “Big Bang” was certainly powerful and being so far away from Earth, was certainly high up; so it can be considered a “higher power” itself!
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.