Is the Pope scared that Stephen Hawking will prove that God doesn’t exist?

Question

Hawking has done groundbreaking research on black holes and the origins of the universe. He proposes that space and time have no beginning and no end. On Thursday 15 June 2006, Stephen Hawking said that the late Pope John Paul II once told scientists they should not study the beginning of the universe because it was the work of God.

Hawking, who didn't say when the meeting was held, quoted the pope as saying, "It's OK to study the universe and where it began. But we should not enquire into the beginning itself because that was the moment of creation and the work of God." Hawking asked the Pope "Does it require a creator to decree how the universe began or is the initial state of the universe determined by a law of science?"

If the Pope genuinely believed that God created the universe, why was the Pope scared of science investigating the subject and proving that God existed. The truth is more likely that the Pope doesn’t believe in God and doesn’t want science to prove that fact.

Answer 1

It hardly takes Hawking to prove that god is fiction....

http://www.godisimaginary.com/index.htm

Answer 2

I tend to agree with you... the Pope must had doubts concerning the creation of the Universe, otherwise he wouldnt mind the science studies. In my opinion, to Church is crucial that some questions remain unanswered, only then she can support the importance of God and the dogmas of Christianism.

I believe the creation of the Universe will be explained by science in the future, with rational arguments and facts, there are already some very interesting theories about that. But I also think that science are God arent incompatible, you just need to consider science as an instrument God gave Humanity to understand Cosmos and Life!

Answer 3

I love Stephen Hawking! It goes without saying the man is brilliant. But he can no more prove God does not exist then he could that God does exist (to those that don't believe). Black holes, the "origins" of the universe can only be explained to a point. But how that VERY first atom was truly creation, he cannot. There will always be the "but how?"

Answer 4

I don't believe the Pope was scared at all. The answeres to the Universe will not all be answered, maybe they weren't made to be by mere humans. To believe in God is not meant to not believe in science. Only to know that the world we live in is so fantastic that a higher power had to have a hand in it. Just look at its sculpture and beauty. No way was all of this the result of some long ago explosion or something. I can not speak for the Popes statement, however, I do believe that some times just believing in something better or something devine that brings peace to us, should not be ridiculed or simply dismissed as fear. Why do we feel the need to tear down something good or to pick apart something beautiful to see how it works? All in the name of science? It is only my opinion that I would choose to believe, and take with me through my life and death, peace of mind, the enjoyment of such a beautiful Universe, and to feel I was not alone instead of ripping at the seams with so called science to destroy something so wonderful that a hand and heart of God just had to create. Why do some people find it so much easier to believe in cold emptiness instead of, if not believing, but at least feeling some comfort in something more meaningful and presented to us out of love? Maybe I am alone in my beliefs, as I am sure the Pope felt quite often, but I like the view I have much better than relying on man made science.

Answer 5

Hawking is a brilliant man, no arguing that. However he is a theorist. His theories are insightful but until man gets out into deep space with the correct instruments to measure and test, what do we really know?

Just like NASA said when our satellites first past the outer planets of our solar system, they stated that 90% of what we thought about our own solar system was proved wrong once the data came back. That was just simple instruments and our own solar system.

The reality is we haven't even got near the surface to scratch it let alone know anything substantial about the vast universe. We don't even have a clue what is beyond the universe.

However those who have studied the bible have some idea.

Answer 6

I don't think the pope is worried about that. He may just have meant to say that when you start learning too much about science without learning where the source of spiritual power lies, you might have a weakness for becoming dependent on physical science rather than also learning to develop spiritually. It requires integrity to use and learn about powerful scientific principles. From a Mormon point of view, we expect astronomy to prove everything God says about what He created. Have a happy day!

Answer 7

I think the Pope believes in his God and maybe he is scared that
messing with creation will bring wrath on the earth before it is due.

But is is more likely that since the Catholic Church historically kept their population under their control through illiteracy and once we started reading for ourselves this all began and what the Pope said is just a reflection of how far we have come since we were hundled up in churches being read to becuase we couldn't read or think for ourselves.

Answer 8

I found the Pope's speech on the Vatican's website: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1985/july/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19850706_conferenza-cosmologia_en.html

From what I can read, the Pope did not tell the scientists not to study the origin of the universe.

He said that he believed that science could not discover everything. That "certain aspects of our lives rise above and move beyond the material dimension and, while having deep roots in the material, surpass the understanding which the natural sciences are capable of providing."

With love in Christ.

Answer 9

Is Steven Hawking afraid that God will prove that the Pope doesn't exist??

Answer 10

I'm sure that the Pope is not afraid that Mr. Hawking will prove that God does not exist. He may be concerned, however, that many Catholics may become disenchanted with their religion.

Answer 11

Uh Oh......... you are treading on the Hollowed grounds of the Religious Dogmatic and they have the power of "Biblical Babble" that can refute anything and everything that Science can attest to.

Also, they can prove, beyond the shadow of the Holy Ghost, anything that they want to prove, no matter how bizarre using their "Biblical Babble".

So, I would watch my step if I were you before they Prove that you don't exist!!!! YIKES! *-)