Yes, something can definitely come from nothing, according to current scientific theory, at least. Look up "virtual particles". They come from nothing, as we understand it. And that's the important thing. As we understand it.
The "something from nothing" argument as a religious argument is an argument from extreme ignorance. First, the person asking the question generally doesn't have even a basic grasp of physics. And why should they, really? Just because it fascinates me doesn't mean Joe Blow gives a shit about physics. But then, why is Joe asking physics questions to prove a point as if he actually does know something about it?
A lot of theists think they're really on to something when they ask this question. They think they've really got the atheist over the barrel. But they really don't. When a theist uses this point to convince me that a deity is necessary all they manage to convince me of is their own ignorance of the subject about which they are asking. It tells me that they don't know much about physics. Even the common knowledge of big bang theory escapes them, and much of that common knowledge isn't even accurate, but it's accurate enough to understand why the question is foolish.
But this entire line of argument, something from nothing, necessary being, first cause, it's all a bunch of nonsense which counts on the fact that the other people in the conversation, at least, don't have a thorough enough understanding of the subject matter to understand that there are things we don't understand. They count on the fact that we are not intelligent enough to realize that not understanding something means that we can NOT ascribe an explanation to it. I don't know how the universe began and I don't pretend to. But I do know that if you're telling me how the universe began you very much are pretending to know. It is not something you can "know". You simply can't get definitive answers to this question on logical inferences or arguments. The reason is that we don't have all the facts; we don't know everything. If we did you would use facts, not logic. And since we don't have all the facts the logic is meaningless. It's just a way for the person arguing to pretend they do know more than is actually possible to know.
The "something from nothing" argument as a religious argument is an argument from extreme ignorance. First, the person asking the question generally doesn't have even a basic grasp of physics. And why should they, really? Just because it fascinates me doesn't mean Joe Blow gives a shit about physics. But then, why is Joe asking physics questions to prove a point as if he actually does know something about it?
A lot of theists think they're really on to something when they ask this question. They think they've really got the atheist over the barrel. But they really don't. When a theist uses this point to convince me that a deity is necessary all they manage to convince me of is their own ignorance of the subject about which they are asking. It tells me that they don't know much about physics. Even the common knowledge of big bang theory escapes them, and much of that common knowledge isn't even accurate, but it's accurate enough to understand why the question is foolish.
But this entire line of argument, something from nothing, necessary being, first cause, it's all a bunch of nonsense which counts on the fact that the other people in the conversation, at least, don't have a thorough enough understanding of the subject matter to understand that there are things we don't understand. They count on the fact that we are not intelligent enough to realize that not understanding something means that we can NOT ascribe an explanation to it. I don't know how the universe began and I don't pretend to. But I do know that if you're telling me how the universe began you very much are pretending to know. It is not something you can "know". You simply can't get definitive answers to this question on logical inferences or arguments. The reason is that we don't have all the facts; we don't know everything. If we did you would use facts, not logic. And since we don't have all the facts the logic is meaningless. It's just a way for the person arguing to pretend they do know more than is actually possible to know.
Have you ever noticed all the drug commercials on TV lately? Why is it the side effects never include penile enlargement or super powers?
Side effects may include super powers or enlarged penis which may become permanent with continued use. Stop taking Killatol immediately and consult your doctor if you experience penis enlargement of more than 3 inches, laser vision, superhuman strength, invulnerability, the ability to explode heads with your mind or time travel. Killatoll is not for everyone, especially those who already have convertibles or vehicles of ridiculous size to supplement penis size.
Side effects may include super powers or enlarged penis which may become permanent with continued use. Stop taking Killatol immediately and consult your doctor if you experience penis enlargement of more than 3 inches, laser vision, superhuman strength, invulnerability, the ability to explode heads with your mind or time travel. Killatoll is not for everyone, especially those who already have convertibles or vehicles of ridiculous size to supplement penis size.
