Stephen Hawking
"truths regarding universal behaviour relates to morality"
Last edited by jonc; Sep 24, 2010 at 12:57 PM.
What like stating that the 'Pope is a **** and a Paedo'? As some of the anti-everything brigade on here have done on many occasions
Last edited by Martin2005; Sep 24, 2010 at 01:38 PM.
Well actually, given enough 'time' and in accordance with M-theory and the Uncertainty Principle (see Quantum Mechanics), it could have created itself, ex nihilo. It might well feel counter intuitive to meter animals, but, that's why we have mathmatics.
So yes, the Pope being a paedo **** is complete fabrication, just like the story of those children living on an island. But to use that story as a point of reference showing that without religious morals society will fail?
I would argue that religion can also lead to immoral acts. There are many documented cases where religious cults have abused people in the name of their religion and led to mass suicides because it will put them closer to God. Form our point of view it seems immoral, but to them it was their "moral duty" to commit these acts. So who's right?
Last edited by jonc; Sep 24, 2010 at 02:19 PM.
The origin of this iteration of the Universe is something yet to be (maybe never) determined. However, the same problem applies to God, how did he create himself? If you allow for an ever present God, then you must allow for an ever present Universe, surely you can see that?

Geezer
I find that the notion of a singularity appearing in a total void is every bit as difficult if not more even to accept than the possible existence of someone powerful enough to set it all off in the first place.
Les
Yes but there is such a simple law that I remember from my science education at school- "Matter cannot be created nor destroyed!" That may appear simplistic of course, but has that one gone by the board now?
I find that the notion of a singularity appearing in a total void is every bit as difficult if not more even to accept than the possible existence of someone powerful enough to set it all off in the first place.
Les
I find that the notion of a singularity appearing in a total void is every bit as difficult if not more even to accept than the possible existence of someone powerful enough to set it all off in the first place.
Les
According to Hawking, nothing existed, no time, no space, no matter, no energy. According to his calculations, the singularity did not appear in space, rather space began inside the singularity.
Yes but there is such a simple law that I remember from my science education at school- "Matter cannot be created nor destroyed!" That may appear simplistic of course, but has that one gone by the board now?
I find that the notion of a singularity appearing in a total void is every bit as difficult if not more even to accept than the possible existence of someone powerful enough to set it all off in the first place.
Les
I find that the notion of a singularity appearing in a total void is every bit as difficult if not more even to accept than the possible existence of someone powerful enough to set it all off in the first place.
Les
Something travelling at more than the speed of light in a vacuum, that is absolutely wrong. Morals, well they are only right or wrong from your perspective.
The origin of this iteration of the Universe is something yet to be (maybe never) determined. However, the same problem applies to God, how did he create himself? If you allow for an ever present God, then you must allow for an ever present Universe, surely you can see that?
Geezer
The origin of this iteration of the Universe is something yet to be (maybe never) determined. However, the same problem applies to God, how did he create himself? If you allow for an ever present God, then you must allow for an ever present Universe, surely you can see that?

Geezer
If you really think about it all, the scientists may well be right about the big bang in the first place, the expanding universe is a good indication of that of course. Was that bang initiated by an all powerful being, he would have to be pretty good to do it all starting from nothing of course.
To my mind there is no reason why evolution should not also be correct, we see enough evidence of lifeforms adapting as necessary to changing situations during all those billions of years. That necessary form of adaptation could well have been initiated by the chap who set off the bang-he would have been clever enough! Come to think of it, He would of course have been fully capable of "intelligent design" even. Why not? In such a case, everyone would be right, except that the scientists have not yet found the definitive answers to all these mysteries. They may or may not be allowed to of course.
What is really interesting is how such a perfect balance has been achieved in nature and life in general, and also the way the Universe formed over the aeons. How the rules of nature have allowed all the planets and stars to form from gas and dust and energy after the initial exciting start. So much has to be just right, all those laws of nature, forces such as gravity being just right too. Could that be an accident?
Did all this happen by chance I wonder? Even Darwin had to think a bit hard about that one!
When I look at all that, it seems to me that what we do know and see at the moment can tie in whichever way you want to believe happened at the beginning. Trying to say that Darwin's evolution counters religious beliefs does not seem to be correct in fact.
The only thing thats sticks is how it all started from nothing, if it actually did of course! And if there was a lump of matter to start it, where did it come from?
You have to make your own choice of course, and neither way can be proved right or wrong so far. You have to be guided by "faith", either in a God, or in science.
Les
I find that the notion of a singularity appearing in a total void is every bit as difficult if not more even to accept than the possible existence of someone powerful enough to set it all off in the first place.
Last edited by warrenm2; Sep 24, 2010 at 03:30 PM.
What's a singularity but a word for something we cannot fully comprehend, just like 'God'?
Last edited by tony de wonderful; Sep 24, 2010 at 03:43 PM.
What is really interesting is how such a perfect balance has been achieved in nature and life in general, and also the way the Universe formed over the aeons. How the rules of nature have allowed all the planets and stars to form from gas and dust and energy after the initial exciting start. So much has to be just right, all those laws of nature, forces such as gravity being just right too. Could that be an accident?
The only thing thats sticks is how it all started from nothing, if it actually did of course! And if there was a lump of matter to start it, where did it come from?
Les
The only thing thats sticks is how it all started from nothing, if it actually did of course! And if there was a lump of matter to start it, where did it come from?
Les
Have a go at this.
Don't see why one should follow the other.
If you really think about it all, the scientists may well be right about the big bang in the first place, the expanding universe is a good indication of that of course. Was that bang initiated by an all powerful being, he would have to be pretty good to do it all starting from nothing of course.
If you really think about it all, the scientists may well be right about the big bang in the first place, the expanding universe is a good indication of that of course. Was that bang initiated by an all powerful being, he would have to be pretty good to do it all starting from nothing of course.

To my mind there is no reason why evolution should not also be correct, we see enough evidence of lifeforms adapting as necessary to changing situations during all those billions of years. That necessary form of adaptation could well have been initiated by the chap who set off the bang-he would have been clever enough! Come to think of it, He would of course have been fully capable of "intelligent design" even. Why not? In such a case, everyone would be right, except that the scientists have not yet found the definitive answers to all these mysteries. They may or may not be allowed to of course.
However, it is at odds with the religious view of the world, because we are evolved from a common ancestor with apes, not formed as we are now.
What is really interesting is how such a perfect balance has been achieved in nature and life in general, and also the way the Universe formed over the aeons. How the rules of nature have allowed all the planets and stars to form from gas and dust and energy after the initial exciting start. So much has to be just right, all those laws of nature, forces such as gravity being just right too. Could that be an accident?
Did all this happen by chance I wonder? Even Darwin had to think a bit hard about that one!
When I look at all that, it seems to me that what we do know and see at the moment can tie in whichever way you want to believe happened at the beginning. Trying to say that Darwin's evolution counters religious beliefs does not seem to be correct in fact.
When I look at all that, it seems to me that what we do know and see at the moment can tie in whichever way you want to believe happened at the beginning. Trying to say that Darwin's evolution counters religious beliefs does not seem to be correct in fact.
The only thing thats sticks is how it all started from nothing, if it actually did of course! And if there was a lump of matter to start it, where did it come from?
You have to make your own choice of course, and neither way can be proved right or wrong so far. You have to be guided by "faith", either in a God, or in science.
Les
You have to make your own choice of course, and neither way can be proved right or wrong so far. You have to be guided by "faith", either in a God, or in science.
Les

Geezer



