Stephen Hawking’s new book is bound to create a lot of controversy. The history of science versus religion has been a progression of science providing explanations for phenomenon previously attributed to gods. For example, early primitive men attributed the eruption of volcanoes to a god with science later providing an explanation. Modern primitive-thinking men (e.g. the religious right) attribute the development of complex organisms to a god despite this having been explained by science. Now Hawking argues that even the creation of the universe does not require a god:
God did not create the universe, world-famous physicist Stephen Hawking argues in a new book that aims to banish a divine creator from physics.
Hawking says in his book “The Grand Design” that, given the existence of gravity, “the universe can and will create itself from nothing,” according to an excerpt published Thursday in The Times of London.
“Spontaneous creation is the reason why there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist,” he writes in the excerpt.
“It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper [fuse] and set the universe going,” he writes.
While the book has already sparked plenty of debate, it is a safe prediction that it will change few, if any, minds. The manner in which gods are described usually makes it impossible to either prove or disprove their existence. Some people will simply reject the science, and others will make arguments that t does not matter. It is plausible (even if unnecessary) to believe in a god even if a mechanism can be developed to show how the universe could have been started without divine intervention.
While science cannot disprove the existence of a god, it is notable that there are some who do see the ability of science to explain a phenomenon previously attributed to a god as a threat to their religion. The most obvious example are those who continue to deny evolution despite the overwhelming evidence which has been established. Similarly I am certain that many will see Hawking’s book as a threat.
Mr. Hawking speculates given gravity, God is not required to explain the Universe. So how does Mr. Hawking explain gravity? Go back far enough and Scienee runs out of answers.
So question for Mr. Hawking, if God did not create gravity,who or what did?
RT @ronchusid: Steven Hawking Argues God Not Necessary For Universe To Exist. How many conservative heads will explode? #p2 #topprog http://bit.ly/bo21DM
RT @ronchusid: Steven Hawking Argues God Not Necessary For Universe To Exist. How many conservative heads will explode? #p2 #topprog http://bit.ly/bo21DM
“@RonChusid: S Hawking Argues God Not Necessary For Universe To Exist. How many conservative heads will explode? #p2 http://bit.ly/bo21DM”
MT @RonChusid: Hawking Argues God Not Necessary For Universe To Exist. How many conservative heads will explode? #p2 http://bit.ly/bo21DM
It is really sad that someone with so much of God given intellect like Professor Hawking cannot recognise his Creator. Or may be Professor Hawking is just denying the “Creator”, the way it’s described in the bible – with that father- son relationship and the forth that truly defeats the very simple human logic.
May be Professor Hawking would think differently if he had read the Quran. In the chapter 2, verse 117 of the Quran, God says, “The Originator is He (Allah), of the heavens and the earth; and when He wills a thing to be, He but says Be and it is.” Does it sound pretty close to Professor Hawking conclusion that the Universe came into existence through Spontaneous creation? – Once God decreed the creation, the Universe came into existence through its self creation?
DavidL: Equally, I can ask you: who created God? Another God? Then who do you call God? And if you say God always existed, why not to allow Gravity to “always exist” ? Or perhaps God IS Gravity?
This debate is so ridiculous. The belief in a ‘God’ stems from a time when humans did not understand the dynamic systems happening around them. Later it would become a controlling mechanism for rulers who were operating behind their own political agenda. Thunderstorms. ‘God’. Volcanic eruptions. ‘God’. Disease. ‘God’. The creation of a ‘God’ was and to a large degree still is a mass control device. Nothing more, nothing less. There are so many arguments against the existence of a ‘God’ it’s silly. Here’s one. Why does disease exist? If I am the ALL MIGHTY CREATOR I’m not going to design miniature life forms to make people suffer and possibly DIE. Here’s another. IF there’s a ‘God’ why can’t it take some time out of it’s busy day, come down here and in a blinding, beautiful ball of light tell the entire planet to straighten up or there’s going to be some serious trouble up in here! Imagine what a different world this would be! And where the heck was ‘God’ when priests were molesting kids? I know, I know, they’ll be held accountable when they pass on. Boy, that really helps those kids now! Interesting how they refer to the blind belief in a ‘God’ as having FAITH. Okay, starting tomorrow I have FAITH that Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy exist and I dare anyone to tell me I’m wrong. I don’t need proof, I have FAITH. Isn’t that what those who believe in ‘God’ say? I love this. One of the most brilliant(and challenged) people on the planet has stepped forward and stated that his brilliant intellect does not support the existence of a ‘God’. I think the amazing thing is that there are alot of people that quietly agree with Steven but won’t admit to it. And why won’t most people state that they have doubts? Wait for it………………..because they’re afraid if they’re wrong they will suffer for it in the afterlife. Wow, what a shock. That’s the very concept ‘God’ was created for in the first place and it’s still relevant. By the way you do realize Halloween is the oldest holiday we celebrate based on a pagan tradition that pre-dates Christ by about 3,000 years.
@DavidL There are new avenues of exploration relevant to both String Theory and Loop Quantum Gravity which suggest that gravity, rather than being a fundamental force is a consequence of entropy, or the second law of thermodynamics. Physicists have long been struck by the apparent similarities between the equations of entropy and gravity, and it was a fundamental belief of Einstein’s that if two things look connected (for instance inertial mass and gravitational mass) they probably are. Recently some physicists have suggested that if the universe were a hologram then the equations of gravitation could be directly derived from the equations of thermodynamics and entropy. In physics, unlike in our day to day experience, holograms are a sort of generalization of the holograms we are more familiar with. It’s also worth noting that the GEO 600 gravitational wave detector may have inadvertently discovered evidence that the universe is indeed holographic.
Ever since Steven Hawking concluded his famous book, little read and even less understood,
“A Brief Moment in Time”;
“If we do discover a complete theory, it should in time be understandable in broad principle by everyone, not just a few scientists. Then we shall all, philosophers, scientists, and just ordinary people, be able to take part in the discussion of the question of why it is that we and the universe exist. If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason- for then we would know the mind of God.”,
he as been attacked by some scientists, atheist and other nonbelievers for even referring to the possibility of a God.
Since then he first redid his mathematical model to eliminate the Big Bang and construct universe that stops expanding, contracts to minimum and then starts expanding again without a Bang or whimper. Now has come up with another theory based on the infinite existence in time of gravity.
In the real world of science there are constants and laws of nature and they are as described in the following quote as ‘just so’ and these constants and laws govern the universe and all that is in it.
Quote: “Why are the constants and laws of nature just so, and not different? For example, why is the speed of light not faster than it is? Why are electrons so much lighter than the protons they orbit in atoms? If fundamental laws and constants were even slightly different from what is observed, then life as we know it would not exist. (For example, atoms would be less stable, or stars and planets would not form.)” End of Quote. Source: Universe Forum, Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
Does Hawking’s new theory explain how gravity alone answers the ‘whys’ raised by the Harvard scientists?
If the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics can openly raise the issue of why constants and the laws of nature are ‘just so’ and not attribute it to a ‘rare accident’ or ‘lucky improvement’ then why are biologists and philosophers so adamant in their refusal to discuss openly that there may be constants and laws of nature that made the universe and all that is in it what it is today.
It seems that he is going closer be to buddhist philosphy, it may be a question of going beyond the concepts.
I am one of those people who has seen a REAL GHOST. Therefore I believe we have spirits. However, I don’t believe there is a specific GOD in control of anything. I believe we’re here to interact on a physical plane. We go back to where we came from when this trip is done. Maybe closer to Buddhism than most think. Then again, that’s just me. If I can prove it, I’ll reply here again after I die.
Robtert Uranium Foreal
Look around you. Everything that you see is a miracle. Mountains, babies being born, rainbows, something that saved you from dieing in a wreck. It’s all God. He can do anything He wants. He could come down to Earth if He wanted, but you know why He doesn’t? Because it’s too easy. He lets us make our own choices. Good or bad. Heaven or hell. Right or wrong. He also has plans for each and everyone. And in His plans, He is there with you, helping you and guiding you. Angels are all around you. God is everywhere. You cannot escape. Its like the sun light. Everywhere. God…everywhere. And you know what? He only wants your love and faith. And that is good enough for me.
I just don’t understand religious guys (like Tina above) who are saying that Mr hawking is talking againts God or does not beleive in Him. Read carefully what he said, he’s talking about the ”mechanical” of the creation . He said that ‘,Spontaneous creation is the reason why there is something rather than nothing” so the existence of God is not the question.
I don’t beleive in religions but I do beleive that I am a part (by my soul?) of something bigger(God?) and that we are all(humanity) inter-connected.
basically, if god created the universe he created an unstable kinetic lump of crap. like my ex!
Sorry if my English is not good enough
I have a question!
How can we debate about Gods existance when we can’t explain what the God exactly is?
Can we show the God with the rules although God created that rules?
I think God won’t be shown with ordinery rules of phisics or our weak mind or logic that God itself created to shape our world!
There must be some special way to see or understand Gods existance,but not these ways that we use for other subjects!
And at last ;God was not God anymore if we could understand it with our simple and weak minds.
God is the biggest and the most complex thing and sure indescribable for us!
If human being can prove GOD exists, then it’s not a real GOD. GOD can only be comprehended by your honesty and your spirit.
GOD is not created, “I’m who I am”remember?there’s no beginning of its existence and no ending for HE is the one and the only! In order to understand this, I have to ask a question: 3+3=? equals six right? so who creates this answer? when does this rule exists? It’s just there cuz it’s the truth, same as GOD exists, it’s the way the life and the truth!
Hallelujah!!
A mathematical formula is not analogous to your idea of god. Mathematical formulas can be proven and relate to the real world. If I put three apples in front of you and then put three more in front of you, you can count them and find that there are six.
For a god to have any relevance to the real world there must be proof of existence. If you claim there is a god whose existence cannot be demonstrated the most likely interpretation is that this is a figment of your imagination. If you want to have an imaginary friend and practice various rituals that is your business. The problem is that many people make claims of knowing what their imaginary friends want and try to impose these views upon others.
I’m not trying to prove 3+3=6. The point is this formula exists whether you agree or not, and there’s no beginning to it, and there’s no ending to it for it’s simply the truth. Same as GOD.
Again, GOD doesn’t need human being to say HE exists, whether you agree or not, HE exists. We’re created in a 3 dimensional world, and all our senses are based on that bases. But here we’re talking about the universe which is more than 9 dimension,It’s really understandable if you don’t know GOD, or even want to prove it hehehe, it’s like a bunch of ants want to prove whether human really exist or not.
Why there’re so many religions existing in the world?buddhism,christianity,catholic,muslim…etc. Because we chose to respond differently to our creator. Why don’t we respond to Dragon,or unicorn, to argue about whether they exists or not？because deep in our heart we’re created with the image of the GOD and can only respond to HIS call.
But HE did give our some ways to understand him, the Universe, Nature and the Bible. By studying His creations(Nature, Universe,Animals),we can use our created rationality to find out the rules among the physics/biology/geology field..etc, that’s General Revelation, top scientists are able to go behind the scene and admit humbly that there’s a creator.
Have you tried to finish reading the Bible for once? please don’t harshly ignore or accept one thing without closely knowing it first. Truth can set you free, GOD bless you my friend!
@Ron Chusid : hey, we did prove GOD is existed, ok? That’s the Bibble and the fact of the resurrection of Jesus! Every sigle word in the Bibble demonstrates the existence of the GOD. It’s just that u don’t believe it. We can provide thounsands of evidences to prove the existence of the GOD, if you have any interest in it.:) You need to know that we are not imaging something, we are just believing in the Bibble which is written according to the GOD’s Will, just like you are believing “science” deeply, which is created by human.
Judith,
No, there is no comparison between saying 3+3=6 and god exists. The proof of the mathematical formula can be demonstrated as I mentioned above.
Krista,
In claiming there is proof you need to get your story straight with Judith who says there cannot be a proof. 🙂
There may or may not be a god, but there is certainly no proof. The Bible is a book written by men. It provides no proof whatsoever.
Belief and science and belief in god are not analogous. Science is based upon observing the universe by means which can be proven. If there is no proof, something cannot be accepted by science.
Science can’t prove GOD exists because Science is too limited. In order to carry out a scientific research, the object must have reproducibility, manageability, and observability. The result must be repeatable. If you publish a new research, and others can’t carry out the same research and got the same conclusion, then the result can’t be recognized as scientific research. But there’re lots of things happen in this world which can’t be repeated again, so science means something, but not everything, when it comes to our spiritual life, science could be a little bit limited.
And another common sense and also the basic rule in the scientific field: The observer who initiates the experiment must be greater or equals the objects. And no wonder it causes confusions for human when it comes to the spiritual world which seems out of reach.
I’m not trying to do the convincing work here for it’s DAD’s job. What I really want to say is: We need GOD. I see the changes in peoples’ lives after embracing Jesus,the light of the world. When you try to read something about Jesus,try to know more about HIM, there’s no turning back but falling in love with HIM. The way and the messages he conveyed can’t be from human. It’s not even logical if you try to study his words. Love your enemies?How?If you really want to get something give it to the others first?What? But Jesus shows us how to love, how to forgive,how to really live!
Please allow me to have a few words about the Bible. It’s a special revelation given by GOD. It’s based on actual historical facts,in fact the later biblical archaeology reveals them all. Besides the supporting historical facts, the book is fulled of prophecies which all came true. It’s a powerful living book. It’s wrote by more than forty different people in 1500 years. Study the writings you did when u’re little, and do a comparison with your current writings,and you’ll see how different it is in terms of wordings and writing styles. But the forty different people(some are really young,some are old),among different dynasty came up with one such coherent book which is so coherent, after I rationally study the bible and do the logical thinking, there’s no other reasons behind this for it’s simply GOD’s words,not from human.
Judith,
Arguments over something which is defined as being unprovable are rather worthless. Just keep in mind this is your opinion. Many people follow religions where Jesus does not play a part, and even many Christians have disagreements over interpretation. If you want to believe things about Jesus that is your right. My objection is when people use these opinions to infringe upon the rights of others.
There is also no evidence that the Bible is a revelation from a god. It is based upon stories told by men, and there is now way to verify the source of information. The writers sometimes provided accurate historical information. Other items are not believed to be true historically and are essentially stories to provide a message. The prophesies are generally very vague allowing those who want to believe in them to see them as true.
Time is an illusion made by man just like the bible is written by man. Thus flaws are written all through out any religious book. God, if there is one must stem from somewhere since. As we all know the inevitable fact that everything that has a beginning has an end. You guys fight over stupid things like religion because your allowed to have freedom of it. The biggest mistake in god is he gave humanity free will. By letting us have this we choose what we believe. Religion causes thousands if not millions of deaths and it causes wars since it was created. Most religions are actually based off another ex: The Quran is based from Abraham from the biblical stories thus a branch of the catholic or what ever came before Christs belief system. It becomes completely pointless because of hot heads / people who can’t open up their minds to think differently due to false hopes and lies built into your heads since birth or since you were a young child. When I was little i was catholic for about 8 1/2 years or my life. Then came to Christianity and stayed with it read the bible and was in it for another 4 – 5 years. I’m 17 years old. I look at the world with an optimistic view im Agnostic and see both angles my girlfriend is a religious book thumper along with her family. So please take the views of stephen hawking as opinion and fact. Not just some guy on drugs. He is one of the smartest men on this planet and who have one of the highest IQ’s since Einstein.