root said:
The Big Bang theory is an effort to explain what happened at the very beginning of our universe. Discoveries in astronomy and physics have shown beyond a reasonable doubt that our universe did in fact have a beginning. Prior to that moment there was nothing; during and after that moment there was something: our universe. The big bang theory is an effort to explain what happened during and after that moment. Not before!
Thankyou for that explanation, it helped to clarify some points. First of all, yes I agree with you that the Big Bang theory does not explain what happened before the event. I was merely saying that Nothing existed, and was implying that something could not arise from nothing.
root said:
According to the standard theory, our universe sprang into existence as "singularity" around 13.7 billion years ago. What is a "singularity" and where does it come from? Well, to be honest, we don't know for sure. Singularities are zones which defy our current understanding of physics. They are thought to exist at the core of "black holes." Black holes are areas of intense gravitational pressure. The pressure is thought to be so intense that finite matter is actually squished into infinite density (a mathematical concept which truly boggles the mind). These zones of infinite density are called "singularities." Our universe is thought to have begun as an infinitesimally small, infinitely hot, infinitely dense, something - a singularity. Where did it come from? We don't know. Why did it appear? We don't know.
We don't know, thought the two core "constants" are Hydrogen & Helium
I do find it quite strange how you said that our Universe suddenly "sprang" into existence, and furthermore you said that singularities arise in the centre of black holes. Perhaps they can arise otherwise, yet what would then be the reason for the infinitely small size, temperature and density? In other words, where is all this pressure coming from and what caused it initially? You said you don't know... well science may not be able to explain the Big Bang fully, but religion can, or at least enlighten us as to some of the stages that creation went through...
First of all, the Universe was created:
"The Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it: 'Be!' - and it is." [2:117]
The initial concentration of the substance if the Universe at one place is confirmed by the Qur'an in the following terms:
"Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them?" [21:30]
About the Universe having once been filled with hydrogen gas, it is stated in the Qur'an:
"Then He rose over towards the heaven when it was smoke, and said to it and to the earth: "Come both of you willingly or unwillingly." They both said: "We come willingly." [41:11]
The creation of the Universe is mentioned in the Qur'an many times, and even more detailed conclusions can be obtained by studying its numerous verses about this subject. It is quite amazing how it agrees with scientific suggestions and evidences, and where science cannot, the Qur'an can. Some people may believe there to be contradictions etc. in the Qur'an, on the basis of scientific findings, yet in all these cases, either there is a misinterpretation of the Qur'an, or our understanding of science is wrong. It makes sense that if the Qur'an has indeed confirmed so many scientific facts, some of which are present day breakthroughs, then it is also to be trusted and given a fair say in those issues that man has not yet fully comprehended.
root said:
Big Bang Theory - Common Misconceptions
There are many misconceptions surrounding the Big Bang theory. For example, we tend to imagine a giant explosion. Experts however say that there was no explosion; there was (and continues to be) an expansion. Rather than imagining a balloon popping and releasing its contents, imagine a balloon expanding: an infinitesimally small balloon expanding to the size of our current universe.
Another misconception is that we tend to image the singularity as a little fireball appearing somewhere in space. According to the many experts however, space didn't exist prior to the Big Bang. Back in the late '60s and early '70s, when men first walked upon the moon, "three British astrophysicists, Steven Hawking, George Ellis, and Roger Penrose turned their attention to the Theory of Relativity and its implications regarding our notions of time. In 1968 and 1970, they published papers in which they extended Einstein's Theory of General Relativity to include measurements of time and space. According to their calculations, time and space had a finite beginning that corresponded to the origin of matter and energy." The singularity didn't appear in space; rather, space began inside of the singularity. Prior to the singularity, nothing existed, not space, time, matter, or energy - nothing. So where and in what did the singularity appear if not in space? We don't know. We don't know where it came from, why it's here, or even where it is. All we really know is that we are inside of it and at one time it didn't exist and neither did we.
I agree that it is logical for everything to have a beginning. I don't consider it logic to consider the beginning of our universe as the beginning of our origin!
I believe the concept of expansion you mentioned, as opposed to explosion can be interpreted from the verse [21:30] above, or even understood from the following verse:
"With power did We construct the heaven. Verily, We are Able to extend the vastness of space thereof." [51:47]
You also mentioned that space, time, matter and energy all had a finite beginning according to the calculations of three astrophysicists, in other words, you are implying they were created. If there was no space for the singularity to appear in, then how could it have appeared at all? It seems impossible that something can exist in a spaceless place! Science cannot explain where this singularity came from as you said, and at one time it didnt exist. It therefore seems quite reasonable that if it is impossible for something to appear on its own when it didn't exist, then something must have caused it to appear i.e. it must have been created. No metaphysical force known to man could make such a thing happen, thus some kind of Divine entity must have been the cause.
Furthermore, if such a 'theory' as the Big Bang cannot even be explained from the onset, then I don't see how it can explain the creation of the rest of the Universe, from the formation of the earth to the life on it today. You said yourself:
root said:
Because science can only explain such things that are supported by supportive scientific experimentation & understanding. One must learn what a "theory" is for God is an "Hypothosis" and not a "theory"
A theory that can neither be proven in logical or scientific terms should be rendered false, hence it is a hypothesis if anything. The concept of God is at least logically plausible and the very fact that we are alive today is ample evidence that He exists.