Science, Atheism, and Faith: Perspectives and Journey

Initial Attraction to Science

• Rational Nature of Science

  • Dependence on empirical data
  • Repeatable experiments
  • Logical and mathematical foundations
  • Effective in describing physical reality

• Shift Towards Atheism in Science

  • Realized gradual drift of scientists towards atheism
  • Steven My's perspective: Science rooted in Judeo-Christian tradition
  • C.S. Lewis: Law in nature due to belief in a lawgiver

Christianity: An Engineer's Dream

• Christianity and Rationality
  • Exploration to describe reality
  • Surprised by rational foundational arguments

Key Concepts in the Intersection of Science and Faith

• Origin of the Universe

  • Philosophical Argument for the Big Bang
    • Impossibility of traversing infinite time to reach the present
    • Universe having a beginning makes logical sense
  • Scientific Explanations and Questions
    • Science excels at 'how' but struggles with 'why'
    • Analogy: Rock falling vs. Rocket launching
      • How and why/query of who initiated the process (launch vs. erosion)

• Personal Perspective on God's Involvement

  • Linking scientific insights to a personal deity
  • God as the intelligent, decision-making initiator of the universe
  • Attributes of God: Personal, intelligent, powerful at math and physics
  • God's role contrasts with the inert nature of the universe

• Timelessness and Eternity

  • Time as a created concept with the universe
  • God exists outside the realm of time (eternity ≠ infinite past)
  • Hard for finite human minds to fully grasp

Closing Thoughts

• Difficult Questions between Atheists and Believers
  • Eternality of God vs. universe
  • Conceptual and philosophical differences