₦airaland Forum

#Does God exist? The universe operates by uniform laws of nature. Why does it?

Much of life may seem uncertain, but look at what we can count on day after day: gravity remains consistent, a hot cup of coffee left on a counter will get cold, the earth rotates in the same 24 hours, and the speed of light doesn't change -- on earth or in galaxies far from us.

How is it that we can identify laws of nature that never change? Why is the universe so orderly, so reliable?

"The greatest scientists have been struck by how strange this is. There is no logical necessity for a universe that obeys rules, let alone one that abides by the rules of mathematics. This astonishment springs from the recognition that the universe doesn't have to behave this way. It is easy to imagine a universe in which conditions change unpredictably from instant to instant, or even a universe in which things pop in and out of existence."

Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize winner for quantum electrodynamics, said, "Why nature is mathematical is a mystery...The fact that there are rules at all is a kind of miracle."

#Does God exist? The universe had a start - what caused it?

Scientists are convinced that our universe began with one enormous explosion of energy and light, which we now call the Big Bang. This was the singular start to everything that exists: the beginning of the universe, the start of space, and even the initial start of time itself.

Astrophysicist Robert Jastrow, a self-described agnostic, stated, "The seed of everything that has happened in the Universe was planted in that first instant; every star, every planet and every living creature in the Universe came into being as a result of events that were set in motion in the moment of the cosmic explosion...The Universe flashed into being, and we cannot find out what caused that to happen."

Steven Weinberg, a Nobel laureate in Physics, said at the moment of this explosion, "the universe was about a hundred thousands million degrees Centigrade...and the universe was filled with light."

The universe has not always existed. It had a start...what caused that? Scientists have no explanation for the sudden explosion of light and matter.

Genesis 1: And God said "Light Be".

#Does God exist? The complexity of our planet points to a deliberate Designer who not only created our universe, but sustains it today.

Many examples showing God's design could be given, possibly with no end. But here are a few:

The Earth...its size is perfect. The Earth's size and corresponding gravity holds a thin layer of mostly nitrogen and oxygen gases, only extending about 50 miles above the Earth's surface. If Earth were smaller, an atmosphere would be impossible, like the planet Mercury. If Earth were larger, its atmosphere would contain free hydrogen, like Jupiter. Earth is the only known planet equipped with an atmosphere of the right mixture of gases to sustain plant, animal and human life.

The Earth is located the right distance from the sun. Consider the temperature swings we encounter, roughly -30 degrees to +120 degrees. If the Earth were any further away from the sun, we would all freeze. Any closer and we would burn up. Even a fractional variance in the Earth's position to the sun would make life on Earth impossible. The Earth remains this perfect distance from the sun while it rotates around the sun at a speed of nearly 67,000 mph. It is also rotating on its axis, allowing the entire surface of the Earth to be properly warmed and cooled every day.

And our moon is the perfect size and distance from the Earth for its gravitational pull. The moon creates important ocean tides and movement so ocean waters do not stagnate, and yet our massive oceans are restrained from spilling over across the continents.

The eye...can distinguish among seven million colors. It has automatic focusing and handles an astounding 1.5 million messages -- simultaneously. Evolution focuses on mutations and changes from and within existing organisms. Yet evolution alone does not fully explain the initial source of the eye or the brain -- the start of living organisms from nonliving matter.

The human brain...simultaneously processes an amazing amount of information. Your brain takes in all the colors and objects you see, the temperature around you, the pressure of your feet against the floor, the sounds around you, the dryness of your mouth, even the texture of your keyboard. Your brain holds and processes all your emotions, thoughts and memories. At the same time your brain keeps track of the ongoing functions of your body like your breathing pattern, eyelid movement, hunger and movement of the muscles in your hands.

Just once wouldn't you love for someone to simply show you the evidence for God's existence? No arm-twisting. No statements of, "You just have to believe." Well, here is an attempt to candidly offer some of the reasons which suggest that God exists.

But first consider this. When it comes to the possibility of God's existence, the Bible says that there are people who have seen sufficient evidence, but they have suppressed the truth about God. On the other hand, for those who want to know God if he is there, he says, "You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you." Before you look at the facts surrounding God's existence, ask yourself, If God does exist, would I want to know him? Here then, are some reasons to consider.

#Does God exist? We know God exists because he pursues us. He is constantly initiating and seeking for us to come to him.

I was an atheist at one time. And like many atheists, the issue of people believing in God bothered me greatly. What is it about atheists that we would spend so much time, attention, and energy refuting something that we don't believe even exists?! What causes us to do that? When I was an atheist, I attributed my intentions as caring for those poor, delusional people...to help them realize their hope was completely ill-founded. To be honest, I also had another motive. As I challenged those who believed in God, I was deeply curious to see if they could convince me otherwise. Part of my quest was to become free from the question of God. If I could conclusively prove to believers that they were wrong, then the issue is off the table, and I would be free to go about my life.

I didn't realize that the reason the topic of God weighed so heavily on my mind, was because God was pressing the issue. I have come to find out that God wants to be known. He created us with the intention that we would know him. He has surrounded us with evidence of himself and he keeps the question of his existence squarely before us. It was as if I couldn't escape thinking about the possibility of God. In fact, the day I chose to acknowledge God's existence, my prayer began with, "Ok, you win..." It might be that the underlying reason atheists are bothered by people believing in God is because God is actively pursuing them.

I am not the only one who has experienced this. Malcolm Muggeridge, socialist and philosophical author, wrote, "I had a notion that somehow, besides questing, I was being pursued." C.S. Lewis said he remembered, "...night after night, feeling whenever my mind lifted even for a second from my work, the steady, unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet. I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all of England."

If only we humans can just obey God's commands and stop being stubborn, we will prevent a lot of problems.

But no, we want things our own way.

pbs4real:
like say u fine

Chai!!

adexsimply:
LOL @placebo effect..You weren't really interested in me believing you? be honest.

Nope.

adexsimply:
If you can't explain it, then it's a figment of your imagination

Yea, Just the same way scientists cant explain why the sun's atmosphere is hotter then it's surface? or how the placebo effect works? I guess it's all figment of their imagination.

I wasn't interested in you believing me anyway.

adexsimply:
Is that another way of saying it's inexplicable?

Well, you can call it that.

adexsimply:
I really don't understand what you guys mean by this "love" thing. Could you please explain it to me? A very nice illustration would be appreciated

Its a tangible supernatural experience.

frosbel2:
wrong.

It is a mighty myth believed only by the deluded or deceived.

Is alien existence a myth?

johnnyblakes:
let me ask!do u believe in God?,do u believe in miracle,healings,vision,dreams,now if u believe that all these which are all spiritual doings manifesting in the physical are possible,then u should believe completely the word of God.

He doesn't beleive all that. He is an atheist.

Jasperwhizz:
CHILDREN OF GOD SHOULD BE VIGILANT! Am i permitted to excerpt your statement to my piece? find it catchy

No problemo.

The Devil is busy turning many humans to creatures worse than animals.

Hawlahscho:
What if, if she's not being kidnapped she would finally cause d death of the whole family members

Dude you're wrong.

God has nothing to do with this.

I really don't believe this type of news. Or are people this dumb and gullible in the world

nobilis:
How can u say you're on a neutral ground when you already have what u believe?

You are not on neutral ground, bro.
U already have a belief, like u said.
So stop contradicting yourself.

PS: I don't need you to agree with me.

Well, the question was never addressed to you in the first place.

I have to go now.

nobilis:
Good. So you've agreed that u don't know whether it is fictional or not.
Excellent.

Mr. nobilis

Stop trying so hard to make me agree with you.

That's not what we are discussing here. I placed myself on a neutral ground. All I want is your own explanation of the question at hand. I know what I beleive, now tell me what you beleive and why you beleive in what you beleive.

nobilis:
So how do we know it's not fictional?

I never said if it was or not.

I want to know how people come about it being fictional. After all there are people who say its not fictional.

urheme:
This is why other religion adherer such as muslims see you as a threat, they hate you because you are an infidel, and they are going to kill you when they get you.

You are an unbeliever. Are't we all in one way or the other

You also need to go back to default mood and start thinking critically.

Yep I never doubted I was an unbeliever to the Islamic ways. But you're not in my camp so you also are considered an unbeliever.

BTW, I will also be joining CaptainJune in exiting this thread. Just like he said "make sure you comfort her in whatever capacity you can".

Peace out.

menesheh:


Look at your comment again
That is why all humans are in search for the ultimate Truth.
Have you find one, show us, you will start commiting all sorts of logical fallacies.
The bible said this or that, i had so so dreams, i witness so so, i had so so experience, i applied faith to believing so so. All these are not Pathway to truth.

But as an education person presumably you are, how will you ever take those things as a proof for believing something instead of evidence and prove. How can a god that want all of us to accept his exist choose those ways i listed above as a method of passing such important message against evidence and prove.


As far as i can tell, there is nothing like ultimate Truth as far as we are still human with many limitations.

You said I've not encountered supernatural, you encountered it but are not capable of saying anything about how it is, its mode of carring out its activities and many more.

And how do you know there is nothing like ultimate Truth? Why are we then trying to find out how the universe came about if there is no knowledge of truth about it?

Now we have different theories, but which is the right one?

We all are headed towards a direction which is perfection. How can we achieve that without the truth. Without the right balance of knowledge?

Why is it some countries economy are much more developed and sound than the others? Why is it some know how to profit in business than the others? What is it they have found that they are applying?

They have to have a particular "Truth" to make those things work don't they?

So that others have encountered the supernatural and you've not does not mean it doesn't exist.

Like someone said "science is way too young where where religion stands"

urheme:
And what is the word of god
Define the word "unbeliever"

An unbeliever is someone that does not beleive.

urheme:
And what is the word of god

The opposite of word of man.

menesheh:
Both of us are stocked in this planet earth as apes of same specie. How come you are witnessing something supernatural and am not. Maybe you do witness extra-ordinary and complex waw stuffs that human brain are incapable of solving (sometimes solve but you doubt it cos of your presuppositions) , then you decided to nickname yours as supernatural or know unknowns. It is a confirmation bias. Because i don't know anything about X therefore Y must be the answer.

Bro, this is the reasons why men for millennia have created pretty many imagery gods and fantasies they hold as fact and true.

That is why all humans are in search for the ultimate Truth.

And Jesus came and said He has the Truth. If you understood the Truth I am talking about, then you would know why some of you feel you've not encountered the supernatural while others claim to have.

urheme:
You have nothing to offer your self moreorless people in need.

You cannot give what you don't have, i know your type.
my stand does not matter to you, i am here to confort the op

Why should I give you what is meant only for the believers.

You don't know anything about anybody's type. If you like, Comfort from now till tomorrow it still doesn't change situations.

What changes situations is the Word of God and actions.

menesheh:
Dark matter is a plausible thesis and also under physical realm. The history of dark matter, from when it was first observed in the 1930s by Fritz Zwickyin was dismissed before of no empirical evidence to back it up but not that it is not plausible.

My problem is not that supernatural may or may not exist. My concern is taking the idea of supernatural to the extreme and also assuming logical absolute to it as a reality. Why not stop believing and wait until the time science prove it so that you will have good reasons and justifcations to believing such. You don't just presume the illusion of something that seemed extra-ordinary as a justification for holding an idea as absolute true without the possibility of it to being false.








That's the beauty of science, science is always open to changing their mind as soon as new evidence continue pouring in. Reasons being that we are human prone to errors and bias to some certain degree. Faith is i know and i know it and still know it that supernatural is real. Absolutism don't make a headway to science.
We are the only intelligence responsive matter in this planet, we discovering new things everyday, we ought to make sure that we separate facts and fantasies to the best our human capability.



Sorry, i never said so and still my comments don't justify or point to such ideology.

Well those of us that have experienced the supernatural don't have to wait for science. That is why we believe in it even without the scientific proofs you are looking for.

urheme:
You are blowing hot and cool, just give us the laws since you have them.

I don't know where you stand , so I can't give them to you.

urheme:
Analize this

He is saying God has reasons to fail us whether we pray or not.

He is also making a claime that God failed op because op served God and prayed wrongly.

Now, jeromejno is not God, instesd of conforting he is conderming, so i said this guy is heartless.

God has no right to fail op, whether he prays or not as long as he has choosen to belief in God.

I don't see anywhere I said God failed the OP.

God never fails anyone. We fail ourselves. There are laws we have to follow to enjoy what God has for us.

You can refer to the comment I gave to the guy that was talking of the OP being under a closed heaven.

menesheh:
Anything that you can't see, measure, and or prove either logically or empirically is as good as it doesn't exist. The worst of it is that it is not plausible. Where will you start laying hypothesis of hell.


Where did you want me to gather evidence to start disproving hell and also how do you intend proving the reality of it since there is no iota of anything to lay hand on. Zero. Therefore it is irrelevant.

Mind you, am not asserting absolute certainty. That's where science surpassed faith. Faith thrives in absolutism without evidence and prove while science deals with skepticism even in the face of mountains of evidence.

Well if you say it like that,

Many years ago, scientists didn't have the technology to detect dark matter but that didn't mean dark matter was non-existent all this while. So how do we know we have not yet created a technology that will one day detect something that will lay hold on evidences of the supernatural?

All this claims are just assumptions. Before Christopher Columbus sailed the world, the world was accepted by all that it was flat. Before the first airplane people said it was impossible to fly. And the list goes on....

If you think we've reached the peak of scientific findings, then you are greatly mistaken.

Just saying.

urheme:
You are so horrible,

You make the devil credible...........the devil should be jelous of your wickedness.

You did not only present your self, you downloaded your self too.

I am just saying the truth here.

The truth is, most people are praying for something and they are "hoping" one day to receive it. But they will never receive those things because not everything works by prayer.

Let's not deceive anyone with "be patient". I have seen ppl that have been patient in church for 10-20 years and still their situations have not changed.

urheme:
You are so horrible,

You make the devil credible...........the devil should be jelous of your wickedness.

You did not only present your self, you downloaded your self too.

Na wa o. Am I really horrible to you.

urheme:
You are a very wicked being!!!

Haba!

Why will you say such a thing? The way you read those commemts is different from the way I wrote them.

I didn't write it to spite anyone abeg.