RE: Q's from a theist
June 15, 2011 at 3:49 pm
(This post was last modified: June 15, 2011 at 3:56 pm by duck101.)
(June 14, 2011 at 3:55 am)lilphil1989 Wrote:(June 13, 2011 at 7:40 pm)BloodyHeretic Wrote: Not sure, trying to bend my mind around M-theory just at the moment.
Whilst doing so, bear in mind that there's no experimental evidence whatsoever to support it!
Duck, belief that something is false is not the same as not believing that something is true. In terms of what I said above to BH, I don't believe that M-theory is a valid description of the way the universe works, because there's no evidence to support such a belief. However, I dont believe it to be false, since if anyone ever manages to get a solid prediction out of it, it may well turn out to be true.
duck Wrote:If something is finite then I think this implies a beginning.
The surface of a sphere is finite. Can the surface be said to start anywhere?
A great book I'd recommend that addresses all of your issues with evolutionary biology is Dawkins' Climbing Mount Improbable.
You didn't really address the main part of my question. Why do you believe what you do? What makes you think that it is true?
That's a good point about the sphere. So you’re saying that the universe can be finite while at the same time being eternal? That's truly a very interesting idea that I have heard proposed to different degrees. I have also heard an adaption of this idea, but by using a donut shape as example. Although these are interesting ideas I don't really think that they answer the question of if our universe had a beginning or if it is eternal. I realize that my view of the big bang might be skewed so correct me If I'm wrong. Here's one definition of the big bang theory "the theory that the universe originated sometime between 10 billion and 20 billion years ago from the cataclysmic explosion of a small volume of matter at extremely high density and temperature." So despite the argument over the shape of the universe, I think most would be able to make a good argument that the big bang theory is the best explanation thus far for the origins (or non origins) of the universe. You have much, much more knowledge in this area than I do so I'm sorry if I sound ignorant, but I was just looking at getting an idea of what some of your beliefs are as far as the origins or non origins of the universe goes. Hmmm. I feel like I’m taking your point out of context so sorry if I am.
Yes I am sorry as I have yet to explain why I really hold a theistic belief. To be honest, the smoking gun for me has always been the origins of the universe. From what I read I think the Big Bang Theory holds the best current explanation for the origins or non origins of the universe. Now I haven’t actually gone out an experimented with this idea so my beliefs are based on what you would call "authority" (those that have much more experience than I do). I think the idea that the universe had a beginning implies of a creator of some sort. I do not believe that there is a "naturalistic" explanation that can adequately explain this. My belief in a personal creator (theism) is more so based on my lines of reasoning from my life experiences. When I design something I usually don’t design it to have an impersonal relationship with it. I realize that this is not usually a good way to go about answering things, but by my lines of reasoning I think a creator that has a personal relationship with their creation makes the most sense (to me anyways). Again there are many other smaller points (which I don't really feel like going into detail about- maybe later) as far as evidence goes which are partly responsible for my belief. Maybe someday as I get more "hands on" experience I may change my current belief, but as of right now that is what I believe.
I hope this answers your Q(s).
