Challenges of Big Bang Theory to Religious Belief

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Challenges of Big Bang Theory to Religious
Belief Responses to those Challenges!
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Challenges Big Bang brings to Religion

1. The world is older than Christianity thought
   evidence for Big Bang shows universe is billions,
   not thousands, of years old.
2. The universe is bigger than is implied in Genesis
   if it is that big, then earth is not
   all-important.
3. If we are just a tiny part of this big universe,
   then we are not all that important either! Do we
   even have a purpose?
4. Scientific theories present challenges as to how
   Christians understand teachings on heaven and
   hell / sin and suffering / the story of Jesus /
   etc
5. Some say the Big Bang theory removes all need for
   God as an explanation for the universe.

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Ockhams Razor

• This is a philosophical tool
• It states that the best and most likely way to
  solve a problem is the most simple way
• For example, it is more simple to attribute the
  flu to Viruses, and to explain it will work its
  way out of your system naturally than it is to
  explain that you are sick because you upset God
  by doing a,b,c and he is punishing you for this,
  and if you want to get better you must do x,y,z.
• Therefore it is most logical to believe the most
  simple explanation Viruses cause the flu

• Therefore, when talking about the origin of the
  universe it is most simple to stop with the Big
  Bang than to add another level of explanation by
  saying God caused the Big Bang
• The Big Bang alone explains it, therefore stop
  there!
• Adding God makes it more complicated!

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Responses to the Challenge of the Big Bang

1. Scientific theories say the universe had a
   beginning with the Big Bang. Christians who
   accept science see God as the author of the Big
   Bang.
2. Timescale and size do not matter if you take a
   symbolic view of Genesis - it still gives a
   message as to importance of human life
3. Science answers how and religion answers why
4. Uncovering the how shows God let some
   openness for human creativity etc after all,
   Christians dont want to be puppets
5. The fact that this vast universe created us is
   amazing shows evidence of Intelligent Design
   rather than randomness
6. Some people just say science and religion are
   different and should stick to their own areas
   without commenting on each other!
7. Others reject science all together as misguided
   misinterpretation of the facts revealed to us by
   God!