Religion

longship

(40,416 posts)

19. "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Thu Apr 18, 2013, 07:02 PM

Apr 2013

Is that what you mean?

I like Richard Feynman's response to that question.

Because nothing is unstable.

Better phrased as, nothingness is unstable. But then, it wouldn't be funny.

What makes people think that the Big Bang is a beginning? Nothing in cosmology suggests that. Current theory does not even predict a singularity since current theory breaks down at densities far below any putative singularity.

So, maybe the best answer to how the Big Bang started is, We don't know. Note that this is not the same thing as We don't know, therefore it must be god. The former is a scientific statement; the latter is a fatuous fallacy, an argument from ignorance which violates the methods of science.

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Today is Ask An Atheist Day. [View all] rug Apr 2013 OP

We all know what an atheist thinks because Dan Ken Apr 2013 #1

Well, I was hoping for something fresher. rug Apr 2013 #2

I hear that you are all godless perverts - is that correct? Smilo Apr 2013 #3

I'm not an atheist. rug Apr 2013 #5

Well then, why are you requesting questions on Ask an Atheist Day? longship Apr 2013 #6

Wait, you're the one who's supposed to answer, not ask, questions. rug Apr 2013 #14

Touch�! You got me. ;-) nt longship Apr 2013 #18

What do you think created the universe. hrmjustin Apr 2013 #15

"Why is there something rather than nothing?" longship Apr 2013 #19

I don't know is a good and honest answer. hrmjustin Apr 2013 #20

Or, when you die, you won't know anything any longer. longship Apr 2013 #28

I believe the brain helps you die when you are near death. hrmjustin Apr 2013 #33

Then what do you believe created "god"? skepticscott Apr 2013 #32

Yes we really just don't know. hrmjustin Apr 2013 #34

excellent response imo. Phillip McCleod Apr 2013 #25

I'll answer this one as an atheist. backscatter712 Apr 2013 #38

Answers may be found here: Gore1FL Apr 2013 #42

We are godless edhopper Apr 2013 #7

BTW - I think this is a great idea Smilo Apr 2013 #4

What is edhopper Apr 2013 #8

The same as the growth rate of a lily. rug Apr 2013 #11

subsonic (nt) muriel_volestrangler Apr 2013 #17

be careful what you ask for.. Phillip McCleod Apr 2013 #26

Hoping someone edhopper Apr 2013 #35

'wha.. i don't know..' Phillip McCleod Apr 2013 #36

European edhopper Apr 2013 #37

African or European? n/t backscatter712 Apr 2013 #39

What CalFresh Apr 2013 #9

Thie chicken, if satisfied. rug Apr 2013 #12

I knew that was coming. CalFresh Apr 2013 #16

If we... SummerSnow Apr 2013 #10

Those are not the monkeys we came from. rug Apr 2013 #13

Why arent these monkeys evolving?And what kind of monkeys we come from? SummerSnow Apr 2013 #21

They are not evolving because they are decomposing. rug Apr 2013 #22

technically we're distant cousins to apes.. Phillip McCleod Apr 2013 #27

Technically, we are apes. backscatter712 Apr 2013 #41

had to mull this one over. what you say is true, so.. Phillip McCleod Apr 2013 #57

Fallacy LostOne4Ever Apr 2013 #51

i said 'something like' for a reason.. Phillip McCleod Apr 2013 #55

Sorry LostOne4Ever Apr 2013 #64

'these are not the monkeys you're looking for..' Phillip McCleod Apr 2013 #30

The monkeys that live today are on a different branch of the family tree. backscatter712 Apr 2013 #40

I wish I could announce the date of Ask an Agnostic Day, but nobody knows when it is. n/t dimbear Apr 2013 #23

Just as well, You woudn't get an answer. rug Apr 2013 #24

i had a similar problem organizing.. Phillip McCleod Apr 2013 #31

i like this idea. hope it catches on. Phillip McCleod Apr 2013 #29

Well this is exciting muxin Apr 2013 #43

If you want a serious answer, the Science Group is the place to ask. rug Apr 2013 #44

ok looks like this is just my misconception muxin Apr 2013 #47

They don't have a Holy Grail. rug Apr 2013 #48

Thanks for the answer muxin Apr 2013 #49

I can't even imagine where my ancestors were seven hundred years ago. rug Apr 2013 #50

Origin of the species is not our holy bible LostOne4Ever Apr 2013 #54

Excellent answer.. thanks muxin Apr 2013 #56

If you want to learn about evolution johnnypneumatic Apr 2013 #45

You don't need an atheist Mariana Apr 2013 #46

Been a long time since i took evolutionary biology LostOne4Ever Apr 2013 #52

Another great answer muxin Apr 2013 #62

I dont know, but I have this speculation LostOne4Ever Apr 2013 #63

Not at all, actually it's really interesting muxin Apr 2013 #65

Here's a link that talks a little bit about the evolution from aquatic to land animals. Jim__ Apr 2013 #53

the missing question, asked and answered. Phillip McCleod Apr 2013 #58

Do you mean "Why are you an atheist?" rug Apr 2013 #59

i don't think so. i think it's different for theists than atheists in that.. Phillip McCleod Apr 2013 #60

It's a question every human has asked at one time or another. rug Apr 2013 #61

Interesting thread. JNelson6563 Apr 2013 #66