New guy with questions

[abaris]

My first question to this Atheist community is how do you respond to Hawking’s question? We may know “the how?” and “the what?” of the universe’s origins, but why does it bother to exist in the first place?

First of all, welcome.

Second, we don't know - yet.

But as has been pointed out, science came a very long way within the last century alone. Noone can say what we will know within another century. And it doesn't bother me the least bit that we don't have all the answers. The world and the universe surrounding us is immensly complex and right now, we only have the technology to sneak a peek.

You also mentioned the old greek philosophers. Well, they're certainly interesting when it comes to philosophy, but they had no real knowledge about the world, only observations.