Why is There Something Instead of Nothing?
Why Is There Something Instead of Nothing?
Atheism's Fallacy
Atheist scientists claim that "nothing" is unstable and spontaneously produces something. While virtual particles may appear and disappear based on quantum probability, they are not stable and do not behave like regular macroscopic objects. Even if a tennis ball could theoretically appear or disappear, it is highly unlikely in the macroscopic world.
Stenger's assertion that probabilistic quantum events apply to the macro world is fallacious and lacks evidence. Additionally, he assumes the universe is the only existence without providing any justification.
"Uncaused" Events
Atheists argue that quantum mechanics allows events to occur without a cause, pointing to atomic transitions and nuclear decays. However, these events are not truly uncaused but rather occur due to our lack of understanding of the underlying causes within the quantum system.
Stenger's claim that the cosmic background radiation and dark energy operate throughout the universe without exhibiting any examples of "nothing" is misleading. The Big Bang theory suggests that the universe as we know it originated from a singularity, not from "nothing."
Net Energy of the Universe
Stenger's argument that the universe's kinetic and gravitational energies balance each other out, allowing it to be produced spontaneously, is flawed. No known physical principle within the universe could cause this separation of energy from nothing. Atheists rely on the theoretical concept of the multiverse to resolve this issue, postulating an infinite number of universes with different laws of physics.
Fine Tuning
Stenger's attempt to explain the fine tuning of the universe's expansion rate and mass density term is problematic. Inflationary theory, which attempts to explain these fine-tuned values, introduces even more fine-tuning parameters. Roger Penrose's calculations further demonstrate that obtaining a flat universe without inflation is more likely than with inflation.
Dark energy, which accounts for nearly three-quarters of the universe's "stuff," exhibits extreme fine tuning at 1 in 10120. Stenger's attempts to explain this fine tuning with supersymmetry and the "holographic universe" concept are inadequate and rely on speculative theories that lack observational evidence.
Beginning of the Universe
Despite atheist skepticism, the Borde-Guth-Vilenkin Theorem demonstrates that any universe characterized by cosmic expansion must have had a beginning. The claim that the universe began with a singularity is now widely accepted by cosmologists.
Biblical Model
In contrast to the difficulties faced by the atheist model, the biblical model for creation provides a coherent explanation for the fine tuning of the universe. God may have used fine tuning as evidence of his involvement, although He could have created the universe without it.
The Bible teaches that God's handiwork is evident in the wonders of the universe, and the evidence for intelligent design is robust.
Why Quantum Mechanics?
If the Christian view is correct, God may have created a universe that operates within both time and quantum mechanics to allow for the performance of miracles and the development of consistent cause-and-effect relationships for His creatures.
Conclusion
Atheists attempt to explain the existence of our universe with speculative theories that invoke the existence of unknown physics or extremely unlikely events. In contrast, the simplest and most plausible explanation is that an intelligent Creator, God, willed the universe into existence for His own purposes. The evidence for God's existence is overwhelming and cannot be dismissed by alternative hypotheses.
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." (Psalm 97:6)
Additional Resources:
- The Fine-Tuning of the Universe for Intelligent Life by Luke A. Barnes
- Why Stephen Hawking is Wrong About God Not Creating the Universe
- If God Created Everything, Who Created God?
- Is God Real? Does Science Answer "Is There a God?"
- Book Review: Why the Universe Is the Way It Is by Hugh Ross
- Extreme Fine Tuning - Dark Energy or the Cosmological Constant
- Size of the Universe: Isn't it Too Large to Have Been Created by God for Humanity?
- Missing the Obvious - Have you checked your tent lately?
- Invisible Pink Unicorns, Santa Claus and God
- God of the Gaps - Do All Christian Apologetics Fall Into This Kind of Argument?
- What Will Heaven be Like?