The nature of existence
Some people believe that in the beginning there was nothing except God. Then God created everything. Other people say God had nothing to do with it, that there was a big bang which resulted in the universe in which we live. But what was there before the Big Bang? Has matter existed forever? The people who say that God created everything believe that matter does not have the power of self-existence, matter cannot create itself. If matter can only exist as the result of a creative act of God, then could matter continue to exist if God ceased to exist? In response to my “It was an act of God” post, Perry said, “A creator can make something but then not be involved in what happens with the invention. For example, I could sew up some juggling bean bags, sell them and not be involved in their subsequent juggling.” But there is a crucial difference. Perry did not cause the materials to come into existence that the bean bags are made of. Perry can take preexisting items and cut, sew and glue them, but he cannot cause them to exist out of nothing. No one knows what it means to be able to create something out of nothing. The pyramids continue to exist even though the Pharoahs are long gone. But how do we know if matter would continue to exist if God could somehow cease to exist? On the other hand, if matter has always existed and never had a beginning and will never have an end, then it seems to me that there is no need for a creator.
Posted: August 26th, 2010 under philosophy, physics.
Comments: 3














I bought an iPhone in October 2007 and today it is still working, albeit with a cracked screen. When I saw the new iPhone 4 presented I got the itch to get a new phone. I could wait a few weeks and pay $200 USD for the latest iPhone, but I decided to buy the iPhone 3GS now for $150. I held on to my old first generation iPhone for more than two years. I hope I can do the same with my this one.