This is kind of old but thought it was very interesting.


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704206804575467921609024244.html?mod=WSJ_article_comments#articleTabs%3Darticle




Why God Did Not Create the Universe
There is a sound scientific explanation for the making of our world—no gods required

By STEPHEN HAWKING And LEONARD MLODINOW
According to Viking mythology, eclipses occur when two wolves, Skoll and Hati, catch the sun or moon. At the onset of an eclipse people would make lots of noise, hoping to scare the wolves away. After some time, people must have noticed that the eclipses ended regardless of whether they ran around banging on pots.

Ignorance of nature's ways led people in ancient times to postulate many myths in an effort to make sense of their world. But eventually, people turned to philosophy, that is, to the use of reason—with a good dose of intuition—to decipher their universe. Today we use reason, mathematics and experimental test—in other words, modern science.

Albert Einstein said, "The most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible." He meant that, unlike our homes on a bad day, the universe is not just a conglomeration of objects each going its own way. Everything in the universe follows laws, without exception.

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Emma Hardy for The Wall Street Journal

Stephen Hawking at his office at Cambridge University on Sept. 2.
Newton believed that our strangely habitable solar system did not "arise out of chaos by the mere laws of nature." Instead, he maintained that the order in the universe was "created by God at first and conserved by him to this Day in the same state and condition." The discovery recently of the extreme fine-tuning of so many laws of nature could lead some back to the idea that this grand design is the work of some grand Designer. Yet the latest advances in cosmology explain why the laws of the universe seem tailor-made for humans, without the need for a benevolent creator.

Many improbable occurrences conspired to create Earth's human-friendly design, and they would indeed be puzzling if ours were the only solar system in the universe. But today we know of hundreds of other solar systems, and few doubt that there exist countless more among the billions of stars in our galaxy. Planets of all sorts exist, and obviously, when the beings on a planet that supports life examine the world around them, they are bound to find that their environment satisfies the conditions they require to exist.

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It is possible to turn that last statement into a scientific principle: The fact of our being restricts the characteristics of the kind of environment in which we find ourselves. For example, if we did not know the distance from the Earth to the sun, the fact that beings like us exist would allow us to put bounds on how small or great the Earth-sun separation could be. We need liquid water to exist, and if the Earth were too close, it would all boil off; if it were too far, it would freeze. That principle is called the "weak" anthropic principle.

The weak anthropic principle is not very controversial. But there is a stronger form that is regarded with disdain among some physicists. The strong anthropic principle suggests that the fact that we exist imposes constraints, not just on our environment, but on the possible form and content of the laws of nature themselves.

The idea arose because it is not only the peculiar characteristics of our solar system that seem oddly conducive to the development of human life, but also the characteristics of our entire universe—and its laws. They appear to have a design that is both tailor-made to support us and, if we are to exist, leaves little room for alteration. That is much more difficult to explain.


Stephen Youll

The tale of how the primordial universe of hydrogen, helium and a bit of lithium evolved to a universe harboring at least one world with intelligent life like us is a tale of many chapters. The forces of nature had to be such that heavier elements—especially carbon—could be produced from the primordial elements, and remain stable for at least billions of years. Those heavy elements were formed in the furnaces we call stars, so the forces first had to allow stars and galaxies to form. Those in turn grew from the seeds of tiny inhomogeneities in the early universe.

Even all that is not enough: The dynamics of the stars had to be such that some would eventually explode, precisely in a way that could disperse the heavier elements through space. In addition, the laws of nature had to dictate that those remnants could recondense into a new generation of stars, these surrounded by planets incorporating the newly formed heavy elements.

By examining the model universes we generate when the theories of physics are altered in certain ways, one can study the effect of changes to physical law in a methodical manner. Such calculations show that a change of as little as 0.5% in the strength of the strong nuclear force, or 4% in the electric force, would destroy either nearly all carbon or all oxygen in every star, and hence the possibility of life as we know it. Also, most of the fundamental constants appearing in our theories appear fine-tuned in the sense that if they were altered by only modest amounts, the universe would be qualitatively different, and in many cases unsuitable for the development of life. For example, if protons were 0.2% heavier, they would decay into neutrons, destabilizing atoms.

If one assumes that a few hundred million years in stable orbit is necessary for planetary life to evolve, the number of space dimensions is also fixed by our existence. That is because, according to the laws of gravity, it is only in three dimensions that stable elliptical orbits are possible. In any but three dimensions even a small disturbance, such as that produced by the pull of the other planets, would send a planet off its circular orbit, and cause it to spiral either into or away from the sun.

The emergence of the complex structures capable of supporting intelligent observers seems to be very fragile. The laws of nature form a system that is extremely fine-tuned. What can we make of these coincidences? Luck in the precise form and nature of fundamental physical law is a different kind of luck from the luck we find in environmental factors. It raises the natural question of why it is that way.

Many people would like us to use these coincidences as evidence of the work of God. The idea that the universe was designed to accommodate mankind appears in theologies and mythologies dating from thousands of years ago. In Western culture the Old Testament contains the idea of providential design, but the traditional Christian viewpoint was also greatly influenced by Aristotle, who believed "in an intelligent natural world that functions according to some deliberate design."

That is not the answer of modern science. As recent advances in cosmology suggest, the laws of gravity and quantum theory allow universes to appear spontaneously from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist. It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going.

Our universe seems to be one of many, each with different laws. That multiverse idea is not a notion invented to account for the miracle of fine tuning. It is a consequence predicted by many theories in modern cosmology. If it is true it reduces the strong anthropic principle to the weak one, putting the fine tunings of physical law on the same footing as the environmental factors, for it means that our cosmic habitat—now the entire observable universe—is just one of many.

Each universe has many possible histories and many possible states. Only a very few would allow creatures like us to exist. Although we are puny and insignificant on the scale of the cosmos, this makes us in a sense the lords of creation.

I don't care about all this "logic" and "evidence" nonsense. I just know that the Flying Spaghetti Monster exists, and he created the universe, and if you don't worship him, you won't go to heaven.

This topic is not suitable for this site. We are africans. Our Primitve brains are not fully developed to understand scientific logic. That is the white man's stuff. And we are better than them.Pls give give us easy fairy tales suitable for our child-like minds. An all-powerfull God who first created himself and then created the universe is much better. Dont you think so?

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." - Psalm 14:1

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard." - Psalm 19:1-3

"Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded." - Isaiah 45:11-13

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things." - Romans 1:20-23

"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain." - 1 Corinthians 3:18-20

"For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." - 1 Corinthians 1:19-21

"Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." - Isaiah 66:1-2

The Holy Quran and Scientific Method

Scientific method is mostly an inductive method of reasoning. Induction means to study particular facts and examples to form general rule. This method of reasoning is in fact the foundation of amazing scientific advancement made by mankind during the last two hundred years or more. Pure scientific method has at least two very important characteristics. Firstly, there is no blind faith and secondly it is absolutely unbiased. This attitude was named Enlightenment in the history of Europe. It is lack of reason that promotes superstitions, blind faith and biased ideas which are contrary to what is called scientific method.

The Holy Quran lays great emphasis on the importance of reason by repeatedly advising us to make best use of it. Man is a slave of his instincts and natural urges. The Holy Quran wants him to get rid of this slavery and for this purpose very frequently advises them to make use of reason. It declares people worse than animals that do not make use of reason. Similarly the Holy Quran repeatedly enjoins to ponder over infinite number of phenomena in the universe and emphasizes the importance of acquiring knowledge. Therefore Muslims continued to make progress in science as long as they strictly adhered to the Holy Quran. When they practically discarded the teachings of the Holy Quran they went into a sharp decline even in the world of science.

:The Holy Quran lays emphasis on the importance of reason and rationality i.e. scientific method. Let us see how the Holy Quran shapes the human mind to adopt the scientific method of reasoning.

The ideas must be based on definite knowledge Allah says in the Holy Quran:

And follow not that of which thou hast no knowledge. Verily, the ear and the eye and the heart__ and all these shall be called to account.

We say a lot of things which are not based on definite knowledge but are mere conjectures. Many a time our ideas are an outcome of blind faith or prejudice. Fear or greed very often prevent us from recognizing the truth. At times we are superstitious or egoistic. All these attitudes are illogical, irrational and unscientific. Think carefully about the above mentioned verse and you’ll see a total rejection of all these negative mental attitudes. Scientific knowledge is free from all these deviations.


The Holy Quran Condemns Irrationality The Holy Quran has also highlighted the importance of scientific thought by condemning the irrationality. One of such irrational attitude is to follow the dogmas of ones forefathers blindly. The Holy Quran says:

And when it is said to them, ‘Follow that which Allah has sent down,’ they say, ‘Nay, we will follow that wherein we found our fathers. What! Even if their fathers had no sense at all and followed not the right path.

Science and Unity of God Scientific knowledge is based on the unity found in the whole universe. The most important article of faith is belief in the unity of God. This unity of God reflects in the universe which is an act of God. We see harmony, uniformity, order and organization in all the natural phenomena of the universe which is an inevitable result of the unity of God. If there were more than one creator we would see disorder and chaos instead.

Allah says in the Holy Quran:

If there had been in the heavens and the earth other gods beside Allah, then surely both would have gone to ruin. Glorified then be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, far above what they attribute to Him.

Allah says in the Holy Quran

Who has created seven heavens in harmony. No incongruity canst thou see in the creation of the Gracious God. Then look again. Seest thou any flaw?

Professor Dr. Abdusslam,after quating this verse in one of his articles writes.

“This in effect, is the faith of all physicists, the faith which fires and sustains us. The deeper we seek, the more is our wonder excited, the more is the dazzlement for our gaze” (Review of Religions Dec. 1983 page 12)


Alhamdulilah how Allah makes plain truth from error, but the disbelievers of truth cling unto misguidance in preference to guidance, the error of their ways is manifest in their character, Haughtiness, their pride has made the talkers of vanity followers of the accursed shaitan.

We all know HE DID! So what's THE POINT!!!

vedaxcool:

The Holy Quran and Scientific Method

   Scientific method is mostly an inductive method of reasoning. Induction means to study particular facts and examples to form general rule. This method of reasoning is in fact the foundation of amazing scientific advancement made by mankind during the last two hundred years or more. Pure scientific method has at least two very important characteristics. Firstly, there is no blind faith and secondly it is absolutely unbiased. This attitude was named Enlightenment in the history of Europe. It is lack of reason that promotes superstitions, blind faith and biased ideas which are contrary to what is called scientific method.

Most of your beliefs are based on one superstition or the other, yet to still use your fingers to type this. . .

The Holy Quran lays great emphasis on the importance of reason by repeatedly advising us to make best use of it. Man is a slave of his instincts and natural urges. The Holy Quran wants him to get rid of this slavery and for this purpose very frequently advises them to make use of reason. It declares people worse than animals that do not make use of reason. Similarly the Holy Quran repeatedly enjoins to ponder over infinite number of phenomena in the universe and emphasizes the importance of acquiring knowledge. Therefore Muslims continued to make progress in science as long as they strictly adhered to the Holy Quran. When they practically discarded the teachings of the Holy Quran they went into a sharp decline even in the world of science.

Which scientific law that has helped man achieve a lot through science is to be found in the Koran?. . . .What the hell is this nonsense talk about Muslims declining in scientific knowledge after the left the Koran? I have news for you. . . The greatest scientific inventors were largely non Muslims. Most of the greatest scientist in the world that have contributed to science and the scientific process were non Muslims, Most of the greatest scientist alive today are non Muslims. . . .That shows that there is no scientific inspiration to be gotten from the Koran. . .I there was any, Muslims would have been the greatest scientist ,no?

:The Holy Quran lays emphasis on the importance of reason and rationality i.e. scientific method. Let us see how the Holy Quran shapes the human mind to adopt the scientific method of reasoning.

   The ideas must be based on definite knowledge Allah says in the Holy Quran:

   And follow not that of which thou hast no knowledge. Verily, the ear and the eye and the heart__ and all these shall be called to account.

   We say a lot of things which are not based on definite knowledge but are mere conjectures. Many a time our ideas are an outcome of blind faith or prejudice. Fear or greed very often prevent us from recognizing the truth. At times we are superstitious or egoistic. All these attitudes are illogical, irrational and unscientific. Think carefully about the above mentioned verse and you’ll see a total rejection of all these negative mental attitudes. Scientific knowledge is free from all these deviations.

What exactly is this?. . . .You have perfectly describe religion(Islam inclusive). Religion relies solely on fear, greed and superstition to have its way. . .Pretending to know what you don't is the life blood of all religions. . . .

The Holy Quran Condemns Irrationality The Holy Quran has also highlighted the importance of scientific thought by condemning the irrationality. One of such irrational attitude is to follow the dogmas of ones forefathers blindly. The Holy Quran says:

And when it is said to them, ‘Follow that which Allah has sent down,’ they say, ‘Nay, we will follow that wherein we found our fathers. What! Even if their fathers had no sense at all and followed not the right path.

What the hell is this? If Islam is not following blindly the words of the fore fathers of the Arabs then I don't what else it is. . . .

Science and Unity of God Scientific knowledge is based on the unity found in the whole universe. The most important article of faith is belief in the unity of God. This unity of God reflects in the universe which is an act of God. We see harmony, uniformity, order and organization in all the natural phenomena of the universe which is an inevitable result of the unity of God. If there were more than one creator we would see disorder and chaos instead.

This statement is completely false. . . .You have no evidence to show that there is only one entity that is responsible for the existence of the universe. . .You guys always say that everything that was created has a creator because we as humans always create things, right? You give examples from cars, buildings etc. . . .Lets take the Air bus A380. . . Most of them have many creators and we don't find any disorder or chaos as the end product. Different humans come together most of the time to create and build magnificent structures and other things without disorder and chaos as the end product, no?. . . . .Some religions believe that the universe has many creators and your belief is in no way better than theirs. . . .You don't have any evidence to show that your belief is right and their wrong. . . .By the way there is a lot of disorder and chaos when you look around the universe. . . .A lot of disorder and chaos is what you will see if you look at all sides. . .

Allah says in the Holy Quran:

If there had been in the heavens and the earth other gods beside Allah, then surely both would have gone to ruin. Glorified then be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, far above what they attribute to Him.

This is a baseless assertion that has nothing to do with reality. . . .

Allah says in the Holy Quran

Who has created seven heavens in harmony. No incongruity canst thou see in the creation of the Gracious God. Then look again. Seest thou any flaw?

What the hell is seven heavens? Where is the scientific evidence for this seven heavens, scince we are talking about science here?. . . .In what part of the universe is this seven heavens located? Does this myth have any scientific backing?

Professor Dr. Abdusslam,after quating this verse in one of his articles writes.

“This in effect, is the faith of all physicists, the faith which fires and sustains us. The deeper we seek, the more is our wonder excited, the more is the dazzlement for our gaze” (Review of Religions Dec. 1983 page 12)

Your Professor Dr. Abdusslam is clearly a lair that doesn't know what he is talking about. . . .Majority of the greatest physicist alive today do not agree with his statements. . .What the hell is seven heavens? How many physicist agree with this mythical assertion?. . .

Alhamdulilah how Allah makes plain truth from error, but the disbelievers of truth cling unto misguidance in preference to guidance, the error of their ways is manifest in their character, Haughtiness, their pride has made the talkers of vanity followers of the accursed shaitan.

Another nonsense myth. . . .After castigating others for believing in superstition and what not, he comes with the shaitan myth to rap off his meaningless monologue. . .Here are the facts, you know no truth, you don't know anything. . . .You ONLY believe in the writings and culture of some ancient Arab men and yet  you delude your self with some special knowledge of some elusive truth. . .I laugh. . .Keep on deluding yourself. . .