Im at atheist, but.......?

Question

Ok just letting you guys know, I'm always the guy who sides with the scientific point of view, because, well, it's the truth. I don't believe in any religions, because to me tey were just ways for people to manifest power. Don't get me wrong, I believe religion is a wonderful thing. It guides a lot of people in life to do the morally correct thing. But, you can't disprove the basic laws of our universe. I have made it a few years just accepting my point of view, but recently I can't stop thinking about it. I sit up late at night for hours thinking about it. How did any of this start? I know we can prove the big bang by the still existing radiation traces, but what was before that? What caused the damn thing?What even is this? My whole being in my eyes has come into question. I just get so perplexed thinking about it. You cant deny science, but I can't seem to deny my quest for an answer either. So yahoo patrons, who wants to field this baby?

I guess I mean Agnostic. Sorry.


And thanks for all of the great responses, it's going to be hard to pick one. It's really opened up my mind. Im currently 15, what should I study in college to get working on this?

Another edit, when I say religion guides a lot of people to do the right thing, i mean 80 year old grandmas who donate to the homelesss shelter every year. not the mass killings of millions. hah

Answer 1

Praise be to Allah, the best of guidance, the lord of the worlds.

Just say i bring a machinary in front of you that no one has ever seen before and i ask you who knows the function of this machine. You would obviously say the manufacturer or the maker or the creator or the inventor etc. So how do you think the world came out, or the universe and all the nature. If it just came out of no where how can it be so perfect. Okay moving on, the study of embryology right now has just been discovered recently that is about a hundred years ago. But who do you think told about the development of an embryo before 1400 years ago in the Holy Qura'an, obviously the Creator (GOD). Next point, it was only before like 500 years or so people started to admit that the world is spherical in size but then the Quran said this 1400 years ago. Who do you think would have said this, obviously the Creator(GOD). My next point, it was only a few years ago that science told us that the sun rotates on its own axis, but Allah said this in the Holy Quran 1400 years ago in chapter 21 verse 33 ( you can confirm it by referring to the Quran). It was only recently that science says that mountains prevent the Earth from shaking but my Creator, Allah said this 1400 years ago in Chapter 78 Verse 6 and 7. And another point, science only recently found that the universe is expanding but Allah said this in the Quran before 1400 years ago in chapter 51 verse 47. Hope i have proved enough about the existence of God.it was only a few years ago that science told us that the sun rotates on its own axis, but Allah said this in the Holy Quran 1400 years ago in chapter 21 verse 33. It was only recently that science says that mountains prevent the Earth from shaking but my Creator, Allah said this 1400 years ago in Chapter 78 Verse 6 and 7. And another point, science only recently found that the universe is expanding but Allah said this in the Quran before 1400 years ago in chapter 51 verse 47. And sure does the Quran talk about the big bang theory which was found only recently.

Let me just write down one verse from the Quran about the formation of the rain. Allah says in the Quran (Chapter 30 verse 48)

"It is Allah Who sends the winds which stir up clouds which He spreads about the sky however He wills. He forms them into dark clumps and you see the rain come pouring out from the middle of them. When He makes it fall on those of His servants He wills, they rejoice."

Im not an expert in Islam, but there are people with better knowledge than me and all ill say is- Islam is the true relegion and hope to see you as another brother or sister in Islam. Reading the Quran would clarify all your doubts im sure.

Brother do look up this site for more scientific fact in the Quran-

http://www.miraclesofthequran.com/scient...

Inshallah hope Allah guides you in the straight path. Here is a Quran in english for you to look up if you want.-


http://www.usc.edu/dept/msa/quran/.........

And if you want anything dont hesitate brother connect me on yahoo messenger at -- [e-mail]

Brother the thing is you might think its funny you learning about Islam, but trust me ill make sure you dont have any bad image about islam. The thing is not about learning something new, but to use taht new knowledge

Answer 2

It's rather dry reading, but String Theory (or M theory) and Super-String Theory have begun to work on the 'pre-bang' condition, each with a few hypothesis being tested. Here's tow of them:

The universe, after eons of expansion, undergoes an equal amount of contraction. This culminates in a 'big crunch', for lack of a better term. Eventually, the pressure from the 'crunch' will result in another Big Bang. Given the cyclical nature of the universe, this hypothosis is being treated with SOME regard (it's not the only one being studied).

Another hypothosis put forth is that the universe contains much more than 4 dimensions (time being the fourth). Some versions claim 9 or 10, some upwards of 26. Investigation is being done to determine if the Big Bang was possibly caused by the momentary (and explosive) collision of 2 or more of these 'higher' dimensions.

While we currently don't have the technological means to answer this question yet, you can put some of your questions to rest. Scientists are not content to just sit back, and not try to answer the questions that each answer brings up. It has been proven many times over that natural occurences and things have natural origins. There is no doubt about that to a scientific mind.

Answer 3

Stephen Hawking disproved everything we know about physics with the Information Paradox, therefore disproving the laws of our universe. It has since been debated. Some think it works, others do not. Believe it or don't, it's worth reading up on.

The question you posed doesn't make a whole lot of sense for a few reasons. I don't know if my answer will translate very well online or not, but I'll give it a shot.

Time is what we use to measure change. Without change, time becomes meaningless. Therefore, the Big Bang was literally the start of time. The Big Bang came from a singularity. "Before" the Big Bang, there was no change and thus, no time. The question, then, becomes meaningless.

EDIT:

If you're serious about studying this stuff, take as many physics classes as you can.

Answer 4

You ask a great question and if you like science, you'll also like logical arguments. Let's begin:

For the universe to be eternal, we have three logically exhaustive options:

i) Matter is infinite -- change is in appearance but not substance.
ii) Matter is finite, with an infinite regress of finite events.
iii) The universe(s) existed in a static state outside the dimension of time.

The first two options are vulnerable to the same critique which renders them invalid. Both views maintain an infinite number of events in time prior to the present moment. That is, an infinite series of events occurred previous to this present moment.

Suppose we took a trip backward. By doing so, we would never traverse the infinite past. If it could be traversed, the past would not be infinite. Since we cannot traverse
backward, we cannot traverse forward either. We have obviously come to the present moment; therefore, options i & ii are false.

This brings us to the third option which goes something like this: The universe that is currently in motion existed in some form logically prior to being in motion. At that point it was absolutely static (without motion or event) and absolutely timeless. This option avoids the error of arguing that an infinite set can be traversed. If there is no event or no dimension of time prior to the first motion event (presumably the Big Bang), it is possible for the universe to be eternal.

For this to be a possibility, the following two premises must be simultaneously affirmed:

1) A logical point producing the first motion event.
2) A static universe (in whatever form) without the dimension of time.

When considering these options, we must consider, in this context, how an event occurs. An event is NECESSARY, CONDITIONAL or IMPOSSIBLE.

If the event is conditional, that means it may or may not occur depending upon the circumstances. In other words, the conditions must be present in order for the event to occur. There must, therefore, be a point where the conditions needed for the first event were not present. This means that there was no first event until the conditions came about to cause the event. However, this change would be an event in itself, requiring an event prior to it in order to bring it about. The idea that the first motion event is contingent allows for premise (1), but it denies premise (2). The change would require a prior change of conditions which would require a prior change of conditions and so forth to infinite regress.

What if the first event was necessary? This means that the event *had* to have occurred. If all the conditions needed for the first event were eternally present, the effect would be eternal as well. This avoids the error of a contingent event which cannot avoid infinite regress, but it denies premise (1) for the event would have occurred without a logical prior point -- again giving us infinite regress. It also denies premise (2) for events occurring eternally would negate the possibility of a static universe.

Given the above scenario, the first event is neither contingent nor necessary. It cannot be an impossible event, since the universe is here. Therefore, the universe is NOT eternal.

Since the universe is not eternal, something created it because *something* cannot come from nothing. There is therefore something which transcends space, time, energy and matter. Transcending space, it is omnipresent; transcending time, it is eternal; and transcending energy and matter, it is omnipotent.

I've typed enough. Call "it" what you will, but I call Him God. There are additional arguments for other attributes and the personality of this "it" and if you'd like to discuss it further, feel free to email me.

Best wishes,
Scalia

Answer 5

I don't think you'll get the answer from Yahoo Answers. First off, don't lose sleep over it, that will confuse you more. Second, start looking into Big Bang research. Third, look at religious arguements for God. Use your knowledge of science, and your abilities of reason, to come to a conclusion.

I know this doesn't sound very comforting, but what is there to say? Do you think that God actually provides a better answer? The decision on what you believe is up to you. Think, my lad, think!

I hope things work out for you. And here's a rule of thumb: when believing something makes you feel really bad, that means you really haven't made up your mind on it. Take your time, there's no rush. People spend lifetimes on these things.

Answer 6

your question is a very big topic and with this topic we can almost write a book to explain that. I will try to shorten it but still retaining the essence.

Before everything else ….. I’m used to be an atheist, so I know how you feel. We are already in the 20th century with spaceship flying in space, men landed on the moon. It is just so hard to think that there is a God. I’m not trying to tell you specifically if there is a God, but I will help you to think it over.

In science point of view. I would like to sight a very simple example. Science has already concluded that our world (earth, solar system, and universe) is formed by an explosion. Particles, molecules spin and cool down formed planets – scientists call this the big bang theory. In physics, we know that in order to move something, we need energy. Put it in an easier example: There is a ball on the table. If you want to move it. What would you do? You would lift up your hand and push it right? We need someone to apply the energy/force to the ball. It is impossible that the ball will just suddenly move without any energy or force apply to it. Even wind considered as force. So is big bang. It is impossible that it would just happen. SOMEONE/SOMETHING need to apply the energy or force in order to create the big bang. Who do you think this SOMEONE is? …. God?

Here are just a couple of issues that can further help you in thinking if there is a God.

Distance of Sun from the earth is so well calculated – even only couples of meters short or longer can already change our climate and making the earth unlivable.

Plants releases oxygen so we can breathe, it also taking in carbon dioxide for regenerating oxygen. The ratio of carbon dioxide and oxygen is just right to keep us alive.

Can you imagine a sperm and an egg cell can develop to a man that can think and walk?

Many atheists considered all these as just coincident. We are living in this world that has just too much of coincident that we find it just too easy to ignore that there is someone up there in-charge of all these things.

Answer 7

I understand your point totally. I pondered over that question too. I meant, I do belive in the big bang, but then again, no matter how many events of random chances take place, there is no way that something as complex as a human brain can get developed on its own. That is for sure. Its called common sense.

Secondly, I got my answer by reading the Quran, in English. I found out that Quran too speaks about the big bang where it is written that

"Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe? (The Noble Quran, 21:30)"

I found my answer in the Quran. May be you can too. Just read it for curious intrest. That is my advice to you brother.

Peace.

Answer 8

Well being someone who has a degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and a lifelong fascination with Physics who has read everything by Stephen Hawking, Seth Greene, Einstein and Darwin as well as probably thousands of Scientific journals I can tell you if you want to REALLY know it all pick up a Qu'ran. Science my friend is simply the study of God's creation...like trying to measure a building from one inch away with no measuring tape.

Now don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with science after all I'm a SCIENTIST...BUT it will never answer everything and in fact really just seems to screw up everything it touches. For instance we are killing all the bees in the world right now and will probably not figure out why until it's too late. You know what Einstein said about the bees right? "If all the bees suddenly disappeared mankind would also disappear in about four years".

Answer 9

I'm not atheist but I do believe in the importance of science and that science and religion need not be opposing forces but can work in harmony together to better our understanding of everything. Science is great at explaining what happened and how but then there's the matter of WHY it all happened in the first place. It's like that old saying "what we are never changes but who we are is constantly changing." Or in the case of religion it would be WHY we are. And this is basically because the why is different for every person. Each person is different with different wants and desires so it would stand to reason the WHY for our being here would be different for each person too. I too have spent much time pondering such questions and the closest I ever came to an actual answer is that there is none or none we know of yet when it comes to things like before the big bang but when it comes to WHY there is no right or wrong answer, only the answer you create/find for yourself.

Answer 10

It sounds to me like what you are searching for is an absolute. You understand that science can provide us with explanations of cause and effect, such as why when I apply heat to ice it melts into water, or how an ovum divides and divides again to produce a growing fetus. But the real question is where did the water come from, where did life come from, where did this entire beautiful universe come from? Cause and effect is fine, but there must have been a first cause, an absolute beginning to all of this. The materialists will tell you that everything you see is random, but you know in your gut that a bird, or a maple leaf, or a human being, appears to be anything but a random event. Randomness produces chaos, yet there is order all around us. And its not just physical order. There is a moral order as well, and this again suggests that there is an absolute source of goodness and truth. For if there is no absolute, I am not obliged to love or show kindness, I am not obliged to do anything in particular. And again your gut tells you that we are here to show love to others. So what is it that can provide you with the absolute explanation of the universe that you seek? It is God. He is the uncreated creator, and He is infinite love. You do not have to abandon science to seek Him, for He provides the foundation for science and is the source of all knowledge.

Peace and love in Christ,
morkie

Answer 11

Did you know, Nevada, that an atheist is closest to faith than any1 else... because he will always question and if he digs deep he'll find the answers... this is what Mani said, he live in the period between Jesus and Muhammad, Peace b upon them...
I understand where you're coming from, but I wouldn't judge religions by what people did with them... Popes in the old days use Christianity to achieve power... Usama killed in the name of Islam! Is that religious? Religion is simply a lifestyle where you practice love... but there is a lot of work on one's self to achieve that, and that work is what religion offers...
As a pro-science, you should know that the laws of universe don't contradict with any religion... They do because we either misunderstood them or because they're changing by time as we advance... look at all the amazing scientific facts in AL-Quraan... scientist were amazed with how they met their discoveries...

I like yr question... it's not wrong to doubt, at all!

Love u all...