31 May 2024
Question
As a rationalist and an atheist, I’m sick of hearing believers argue that there must be a G-d because otherwise “who made the Big Bang?” I readily concede that science does not yet have explanations for the origins of matter before the Big Bang. But I also have no doubt that, in time, science will work that out too. Is it not a weak argument to say that we must believe in G-d simply because we currently don’t have answers?
Answer
These debates between believers and atheists are often quite unnecessary. There is so much common ground between the two factions, their positions are almost identical. The area of disagreement is quite minimal.
Whether you are an atheist or a believer, you agree that creation is a mystery. There is a certain point in any discussion about the origin of the universe when all sides must admit, we have no rational explanation. Our intellect is currently incapable of fathoming how existence began.
Whatever ingredients went into creating the universe must themselves have come from somewhere. But how did that start? We have no clue.
So what do we do when our minds have reached their limit? Both believers and atheists do exactly the same thing. We humbly submit to an infinite, all-knowing being.
For believers, that all-knowing being is G-d. A believer says that G-d created the original matter from nothing. There was absolute nothingness, and then there was something. Only an infinite being can do that. Creating something from nothing is a feat completely beyond any human. (Although you should see what my wife can do with leftovers.)
Just like the believer marvels at G-d’s infinite power to create the universe, the atheist, too, looks up to a higher source to explain the mystery of creation. When faced with the unanswerable question of where it all began, the atheist expresses their unbreakable faith, not in G-d, but in science.
As you said, no one currently knows how matter first came into being. But you have no doubt that science will work it out one day. That is faith in an infinite power. I believe G-d has all the answers. You believe science does. You are as religious as I am.
But there are some differences between my faith and yours. My G-d expects us to live by a higher moral code. And gives our life purpose and meaning. And gives us festivals, when we get to eat interesting foods.
Scientific discoveries have given humanity many blessings. But science can’t answer all our questions. It can’t give us morality and meaning. And it doesn't give us any festivals to eat interesting foods.
Like all creations, including you and me, even science has its limits. We must thank science for all it has given us. And thank G-d for giving us the brain to discover it.
