I would just like to start by saying that I respect Stephen Hawking and I very much like the fact that in the video (which I found interesting and compelling) he took the time to say on several different occasions that he is not trying to offend anyone with his views. I also like that he explained everything so perfectly. Nobody wants to listen to someone who blindly believes in something without understanding or explaining it, so the fact that he patiently explained everything and it made a lot of sense was very refreshing.
However, personally, I believe in God. Why?
I have a few reasons, actually.
I believe that "God", in the essence of the concept, is an infinitesimal and unexplainable being that does not adhere to the laws of nature because if God is really as almighty as people claim, he or "it", whatever "God" is, simply doesn't need to. Does he or "it" personally see to our every day lives? Maybe not. But there are some things that even science can't explain, and no one can argue with me there.
Hawking explained away the need for a creator due to the fact that no time existed before the Big Bang. OK...but can we really prove that? Or if time doesn't exist within a black hole and yet a black hole still exists, than can mean that God can exist without time, can't it?
Also...he used the subatomic particles of a coffee cup to explain the spontaneous existence of the universe. Very good theory, except with one defining flaw: those elements of the coffee cup already existed. If they hadn't, would that spontaneous existence even have been possible? I don't think so.
I guess the question I'm trying to pose above all is: Why can't science and religion go hand in hand? Do I believe God is some overly-prejudiced guy with a beard sitting on a cloud and spying on us, never following any laws? No. But I do believe, as I said before, that he or it is a being that we cannot understand and may be so powerful that while he or it usually follow those laws, he or it doesn't have to.
I also believe that while you can't prove God exists, you can't disprove him, either. What Hawking said is a theory, not fact, people! It is not fact, nor has it ever been proven, that time did not exist before the Big Bang, or whether that would even be a relevant factor concerning God.
Let's just...try to be tolerant, OK?
PS: I just thought of something else. What about the concept of love? My big brother is an atheist and I love and respect the hell out of him, just so you know, but he is not my biological brother, so how can you explain me loving him, or my adopted parents, as a biological sibling or offspring would love them? There is no chemical telling me to love them because they're blood or whatever...it is something that cannot be explained. Or if it can, I'd be open to hearing it, but as far as what my brother tells me, he (at the very base) loves his wife because hormones tell us to reproduce and he loves his children because they are his offspring and so nature tells him to. Well...there is no chemical, like I said, telling me to do any of that. So how do you explain me loving my family, hm?
Also, I'd like to point out that love falls under one of those things that science cannot explain. It is not in any way logical.
So, following that trail of thought, why can't God exist?
Simply put: why the heck not? Is it really such a bad thing?
Going back to science and religion going hand in hand, just saying...
I am really trying here to state my opinions as thoughtfully as possible and explain the reasoning behind my views so I do not come across as blindly convicted (since I am not), and if I offend anyone in any way, I am sorry, but these are my views and I am open to debate so long as you also try not to be offensive and explain yourself. OK?
Also, sorry...but the to creator of this topic: I personally think it is a little sad that you were swayed so easily from your views over a 42 minute video... I am not saying that to be mean, just saying...I dunno...stand for something or you'll fall for anything, I suppose. I think it's great that you are so firm in your beliefs now, and if that is what moves you, more power to you. Truly. But I have lived my life taking in different viewpoints and pondering for very long periods the reasoning behind them, their logic or lack thereof, and pretty much every other component concerning them before I settled on any opinion of my own. I would just like to politely suggest that you consider doing the same. Especially before attempting to sway others, seeing as the human race as a whole has a tendency to stupidly jump on the bandwagon.
One more thing. (This is turning out to be way longer than I originally intended, and for that I apologize...)
Take a look a this:
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I think you will find it enlightening. I know I did.
