Proving the Bible

[Tonus]

In other words, what proof is there that my imagined universe (which is simply a self-perpetuating machine) cannot be true?

Step one was universe cannot as itself be eternal.

But you aren't proving that, you're just asserting it. You have no proof that the universe cannot simply collapse upon itself and be reborn, just as I cannot prove that there isn't a god who created it. Either assertion is equally valid if they lack sufficient evidence to prove or disprove them.

You infer that since the universe must have begun to exist at some point, there must be a causal agent outside of space and time who created it. I am imagining a universe whose existence is the result of other universes birthing it, either in a continuous loop or as the result of other forces that continue to create new realities. I have as much proof for that suggestion as you do for a causal agent. You can no more disprove my 'theory' than I can yours. You cannot "debunk" mine by mere assertion, likewise I cannot "debunk" yours.

Your universe itself is subject to time so there must be a start. How did it start. What was the first cause that it did even start leave alone perpetuate. You theory is still inside that logical loop, that leads us to nowhere.

I am imagining a universe that collapses upon itself and into an infinitesimally small point that stands outside of space and time, and then begins to expand, at which point both space and time begin to exist. I am imagining a black hole that spews material into a whole new dimension, which suddenly begins to exist.

There, now the universe has a first cause and a start, and no god involved. See how easy this is?