[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” link_color=”” link_hover_color=”” border_size=”3″ border_color=”#000000″ border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”3%” padding_right=”3%” padding_bottom=”3%” padding_left=”3%” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”#fafafa” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ first=”true” last=”true”][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” content_align=”left” size=”1″ font_size=”” animated_font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” animated_text_color=”” highlight_color=”” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]
Part 1. A Big Universe, A Bigger Question . . .
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Why such a big Universe, if God made it specifically for us? When first asked this question I thought . . . good question . . . and it seemed even better when I started looking into it.
If our Sun were shrunk to the size of a basketball, the Earth would be the size of the head of a pin, 100 feet away. The Earth is a dot in that prominence pictured on the Sun, and the Sun would be a dot compared to the size of other stars, like VY Canis Majoris (which is Latin for the “Big Dog”). Click here for a video link, though overly dramatic, it does a good job visually demonstrating the size of Earth compared to other planets and stars.
The Sun’s mass produces enough gravity to keep the Earth and other planets revolving around itself. But the Sun is just one of around 100 to 400 billion other stars, which are all held together and forced to revolve around a massive black hole in the center of what’s called the Milky Way Galaxy. The computer-generated image shows where our Sun is located in this collection of stars. We actually are located between two spiral arms of our galaxy, which is good as it allows for better viewing of this awesome Universe, which in turn supplies much of the data to answer the big quesitons we have.
And, our galaxy is not alone, there are billions of other galaxies. Andromeda is the closest galaxy to ours. If you had a friend living there, and had a ship that could travel at the speed of light, you better pack a lot of toilet paper, food, and necessities for the generations after you, as it would take 5 million years for the round-trip. The Universe is vast, and is expanding.
In fact, if you go out stargazing tonight, hold up your little finger, and if you could enlarge the section of space behind just your little finger nail, the third image shows what you would see. Those aren’t stars. Almost all of those spots of light are galaxies, each with hundreds of billions of stars. Current estimates point to 100 to 200 billion galaxies in space. This is a BIG Universe, and leads to a BIGGER question for you: What does this mean for me?
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Figure 1. Sun and Earth placed next to each other for size comparison.
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Figure 2. Computer-generated image of our Milky Way Galaxy, with location of the Sun noted.
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Figure 3. NASA data turned into an image shows how many galaxies can be found in even a tiny fraction of space.
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What is the meaning (and value) of life?
Answer: It depends on what is true.
From the absolute vastness of the Universe, we are led directly to one of the BIGGEST questions in life we all will answer. It sounds like I am just an insignificant spec, on an insignificant spec of a planet, in an insignificant galaxy = I am Dust in the Wind, as well-known thinkers, writers, songs, and paintings have displayed. How much time do you spend thinking and talking about your great, great grandparents, who felt the same sense of value about their life just a spec of time ago?
If nature and natural law is all there is, then we are carried along by forces with only the appearance of having any control, with no meaning or purpose to life, which is just accidentally caused, can be lost at any time, is all entirely controlled by natural laws, and without lasting or objective value, at least no more than other animals.
You may disagree, and claim we have the capacity to love, and sacrifice for family, be a “good person,” and choose what our purposes in life are, but according to understandings from diverse fields of science – no we don’t.
Just like other animals, or plants, there can be no chosen purpose in life, aside from passing on DNA, because none of our thoughts and actions are free, but all entirely controlled by natural laws. Nihilists describe this grim reality well, and in diverse fields of study, those who believe nature and natural laws are all there is, have also come to accept this reality.
Stephen Hawking states: “Though we feel we can choose what we do, our understanding of the molecular basis of biology shows that biological processes are governed by the laws of physics and chemistry and therefore are as determined as the orbits of the planets.”1
Francis Crick, co-discoverer of helical structure of DNA, accurately in-line with the no-god belief notes that: “You, your joys and your sorrows, your memories and your ambitions, your sense of personal identity and free will, are in fact no more than the behavior of a vast assembly of nerve cells and their associated molecules.”2
Distinguished Cornel University professor, William Provine, states: “Let me summarize my views on what modern evolutionary biology tells us loud and clear . . . There is no ultimate foundation for ethics, no ultimate meaning in life, and no free will for humans, either.”3
It sounds extreme to say that if there is no God, there is no objective value or meaning to life, no real right and wrong, no inherent rights, and none of us have the ability to freely think or choose. But it all logically follows, and if you want more support or details why this is true, see “Not my fault, Science made me do it?” blog, or search “Free Will” in the Frequently Asked Questions section.
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So, one of the biggest questions in life is limited down to only two possible options. One possible answer to our big question about our Purpose in life is:
- There is no true purpose of our life, aside from passing on DNA, and even that, as well as all our thoughts, feelings, and behavior is entirely controlled by nature.
However, there is another possibility . . .
- Life, your life, is special, with purpose, meaning and value worth more than all the massive galaxies combined, because a personal creator made it all, specifically with us in mind, and with a purpose.
- Further, there will also be other purposes for you in life, which you can decide for yourself, because if you are more than just your physical body, then you can operate beyond natural laws, and have the capacity for free will choice.
The second option sounds really nice, but just because it sounds good, that we have real value and importance endowed by a creator, with an actual purpose for what we go through in life, is not evidence that it is true.
I understand most will be thinking there is no way there can be evidence to supply definitive answers, but that assumption gets overwhelmed when you actually start seeing the answers – there are so many evidences – including some of the most amazing and important discoveries in all science.
So how can we know which of those two possibilities is true, purely natural chance or a purposeful creator? No real value & meaning, or infinite meaning established by an authority? We determine which answer is accurate to reality the same way we do with other questions in life, we follow the evidence where it leads.
References and Citations
1Stephen Hawking, Grand Design, pp.31-32
2Francis Crick, The Astonishing Hypothesis, 1994, p. 3
3Provine, W.B., Darwinism: Science or Naturalistic Philosophy? The Debate at Stanford University, William B. Provine (Cornell University) and Phillip E. Johnson (University of California, Berkeley), videorecording © 1994 Regents of the University of California. (See also: Origins Research 16(1):9, 1994; arn.org/docs/orpages/or161/161main.htm.
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RESOURCES FOR THIS SECTION
[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”yes” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”2%” padding_right=”3%” padding_bottom=”2%” padding_left=”3%” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_4″ type=”1_4″ layout=”1_4″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”http://thoughtfulbeliefs.org/2020/08/06/part-2-how-do-we-know-when-an-intelligent-agent-is-involved-or-if-it-is-pure-chance/” target=”_blank” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” hover_type=”zoomin” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”http://thoughtfulbeliefs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Picture1-3-300×127.png” background_image_id=”” background_position=”center bottom” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ first=”true” last=”false” margin_bottom=”0%” element_content=”” margin_top=”0″ padding_top=”200″ padding_bottom=””][fusion_button link=”http://thoughtfulbeliefs.org/2020/08/06/part-2-how-do-we-know-when-an-intelligent-agent-is-involved-or-if-it-is-pure-chance/” text_transform=”” title=”” target=”_self” link_attributes=”” alignment=”left” modal=”” color=”default” button_gradient_top_color=”” button_gradient_bottom_color=”” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” type=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”” border_radius=”” border_color=”” border_hover_color=”” size=”” stretch=”yes” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]Part 2: How do we know when an intelligent agent is involved, or if it is pure chance?[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_4″ type=”1_4″ layout=”1_4″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”http://thoughtfulbeliefs.org/2020/08/06/part-3-the-evidence-is-in-involves-some-amazing-stuff/” target=”_blank” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” hover_type=”zoomin” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”http://thoughtfulbeliefs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/bet-life-300×221.jpg” background_image_id=”” background_position=”center top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ first=”false” last=”false” margin_bottom=”0%” padding_bottom=”0px” element_content=”” padding_top=”244px” margin_top=”0px”][fusion_button link=”http://thoughtfulbeliefs.org/2020/08/06/part-3-the-evidence-is-in-involves-some-amazing-stuff/” target=”_blank” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” color=”default” stretch=”yes” icon=”fa-chevron-right fas” icon_position=”right” icon_divider=”no” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]Part 3. The Evidence Is In & Involves Some Amazing Stuff[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_4″ type=”1_4″ layout=”1_4″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”http://thoughtfulbeliefs.org/2020/08/06/part-4-what-is-the-purpose-of-life/” target=”_blank” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” hover_type=”zoomin” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”#232323″ background_image=”http://thoughtfulbeliefs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/door-knocker-e1595955372861-300×225.jpg” background_image_id=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ first=”false” last=”false” margin_bottom=”0%” element_content=”” padding_top=”262px”][fusion_button link=”http://thoughtfulbeliefs.org/2020/08/06/part-4-what-is-the-purpose-of-life/” target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” color=”default” stretch=”yes” icon=”fa-chevron-right fas” icon_position=”right” icon_divider=”no” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]Part 4. What is the Purpose of Life?[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_4″ type=”1_4″ layout=”1_4″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”http://thoughtfulbeliefs.org/2020/08/06/part-5-creating-me-graphing-me/” target=”_blank” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” hover_type=”zoomin” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”#161616″ background_image=”http://thoughtfulbeliefs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/graph-me-300×139.jpg” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ first=”false” last=”true” margin_bottom=”0%” element_content=”” padding_top=”261px” padding_bottom=”0px”][fusion_button link=”http://thoughtfulbeliefs.org/2020/08/06/part-5-creating-me-graphing-me/” target=”_blank” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” color=”default” stretch=”yes” icon=”fa-chevron-right fas” icon_position=”right” icon_divider=”no” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]Part 5. Creating Me & Graphing Me[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]