In 1983, after he completed his famous work on singularities Stephen spoke to a reporter about the implications of this on the theory of the "Big Bang". He said "The odds against a universe like ours emerging out of something like the big bang are enormous." Hawking looked at the mathematical probabilities that all the order we see in the universe could have come from a freak accident where somehow all matter was in a place smaller than a marble and exploded outwards into increasing order. You wouldn't believe that someone tossed a grenade into a junkyard and after the smoke cleared the explosion had produced a working sewing machine. Yet the universe isn't random. Against all odds, there is order wherever the Hubble telescope looks.
Hawking concluded that the odds were slimmer than you can imagine: "I think clearly that there are religious implications whenever you start to discuss the origins of the universe." He wasn't even talking about the biological conditions that had to enter the E=mc2 energy-becoming-matter event. The world of quarks and anti-quarks is complicated enough to make one wonder if there wasn't a Designing Hand behind the universe.
Now call to this discussion another eminent mathematician. Roger Penrose of Oxford University looked at the big bang and calculated what chance there would be in all that explosive chaos just what we need to eventually support life. Its one chance in 10 followed by 123 zeros. Reader its getting to the place where to be an atheist you have to adamantly refuse the latest scientific discoveries. Are you honestly that closed-minded?
Hawking concluded to the reporter: "There must be religious overtones." He's neither a pastor nor a theologian. If one of our best minds drew that conclusion, where do you stand? Here's one more quote from the article: "but I think most scientists prefer (that's the operative word) to shy away from the religious side of it." Why would anyone have such a preference? The answer is that if there is a Creator with the kind of super rational mind to design the intricate universe, what does He want from me?
We are living on a planet that the Bible claims is in moral rebellion against its Creator. God is about utter charity and compassion. Look around you - we are steeped in selfishness. God is about responsible obedience to moral laws. Our preference is to indulge in whatever feels good. Thank you for allowing me to take your mind to the religious implications of the universe, as we know it. I understand however that will not be enough to turn you into God's loyal subject.
Comic characters Calvin & Hobbes might help you see it. Calvin out one night says: "Look at the stars. The universe just goes out forever and ever." Hobbes replies: "It kind of makes you wonder why man considers himself such a big deal." In the next picture they are back inside watching TV. Calvin pointing the remote says: "That's why we stay inside with our appliances!"
Put this article aside and get on with the current pattern of your life and
you'll be doing the same thing. The physicist
Paul Davies wrote: "The Big Bang is the one place in the universe where there is room even for the most hard nosed
materialist to admit God." All this makes me think of a Bible verse: "Since the creation of the world
God's invisible qualities
his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen from what has been created.
We are without excuse." It's
time you asked me how you can know God, isn't it?