First cause of the universe.

[an anarchist]

If you really want to hang onto the idea of 'God', then perhaps you should embrace Deism. That sounds like it might be the closest match for you.

You might want to look at Neoplatonism, an ancient philosophical current that had a huge influence on both Christian and Islamic theology, especially their more mystical currents. It traces all of reality back to a single ineffable Source that transcends all human language and concepts, and associates this One with the divine.

I do think I will embrace deism, just mulling it over some more before I’m sure.
I am reading The Republic by Plato right now, and have bought a couple other books of his. My surface level research of Platonism has found me liking it, so neoplatonism maybe, just have to finish reading books before I decide.

 

[MikeF]

I do think I will embrace deism, just mulling it over some more before I’m sure.
I am reading The Republic by Plato right now, and have bought a couple other books of his. My surface level research of Platonism has found me liking it, so neoplatonism maybe, just have to finish reading books before I decide.

As with everything one reads, maintain reasoned skepticism. Plato's writings were written within the limits of his time period's collective understanding of the world. Any value gleaned should be taken in respect to our current limited understanding of human behavior and the cosmos. We still don't know everything, but we have learned a lot since Plato's time.

 

[InChrist]

Why "biblical" scriptures?
Why not Aztec scriptures? Islamic scriptures? Hindu scriptures? Or any of the hundreds, if not thousands, of other ones?

What makes your bible so special, other then you already believing it (likely only due to your geographic location)?

If you don’t know what differentiates the Bible from other religious scriptures then you haven’t done much, if any, research on the subject.
The biblical scriptures are unique and totally unlike any other religious scriptures.

God used primarily eye-witnesses to historical events recorded in Scripture, and He used multiple authors so that their writings would corroborate each other. Other religious scriptures present stories, information or teachings of one individual, not necessarily set in historical context, nor collaborated by others.

”God used many human authors to compile the 66 books of the Bible. Around forty different human writers in the span of about 1,500 years were involved in the collection of Scripture. These writers came from different time periods, backgrounds, occupations, and geographical locations. The writers include kings, prophets, fishermen, shepherds, servants, priests, and a physician. This broad authorship explains the variety of writing styles. There is also a plethora of genres in the Bible, including poetry, prose, narrative, prophecy, and letter-style writing. The different authors and writing styles make the Bible unique from other religious books, and it’s stunning to realize that the entire canon of Scripture shares a common theme—God’s salvation of mankind—and points to a central character—Jesus Christ.“

How is the Bible unique? | GotQuestions.org

All other religious scriptures teach humans must earn salvation through efforts, religious works or practices. The Bible Alone states salvation is a gift available to all. A gift offered by by God .

”The Bible is unique in content.Numerous religious texts teach good morals and righteous ways of life. Unlike other religious texts advocating good works to please an unreachable god, the Bible uniquely teaches that salvation is a gift from God that does not require human works (Ephesians 2:8–9). Whereas other religious books present a set of rules and regulations to follow, the Bible presents freedom in Christ (John 8:36). The Bible reveals that Jesus is God (John 1:1) and that He saves us through His death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). No other sacred book claims that a religious leader rose from the dead (Matthew 28:5–7; Luke 24:5–6; John 20:20; 1 Corinthians 15:4–8). The God of Scripture is not a far-off, uncaring god but the Creator of all things who is intimately involved in the lives of His creation (Psalm 139:7–12; Acts 17:25–27). No other religious text gives the assurance of eternal life (John 3:16). No other religion’s book is without error or flaw, but the Bible is inerrant and infallible (see 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13).”

How is the Bible unique? | GotQuestions.org

 

[ChristineM]

How is the Bible unique? | GotQuestions.org

Uniqueness of the Quran - Qamar Islam Khan

Both are copied from the tanakh with a little modification until the very end

So how about
https://www.quora.com/What-is-unique-about-Guru-Granth-Sahib

 

[InChrist]

It's not an opinion that Scripture is unreliable, it is an observation. The book is not coherent if you try to interpret it literally, that is a fact.

It is an opinion that you think it is reliable, and you can't present a sound argument to defend that thinking. What theists believe about their holy books is doctrinal, not factual. Theists approach their texts with many assumptions that are not factual, so that means there is no reliable content to explain anything.

Maybe you just don’t know how to read the Bible or are lacking discernment concerning context, symbolism, etc. I find it coherent. I’m not saying I understand everything or there are not passages I find somewhat confusing, but that’s what the Holy Spirit is for; questions and seeking clarification.

 

[KW]

A singularity was likely under intense pressure. Then expansion followed. Not an astronomer or astrophysicist. Just my best short stab. Correct me if need be.

That doesn't explain where it came from.

Do you think it created itself?

 

[ChristineM]

That doesn't explain where it came from.

Do you think it created itself?

It's a possibility, one of several

 

[InChrist]

Information is inherent in how things in our universe interact.

Any causal even means the result gives information about the cause.

DNA is a naturally produced molecule that interacts with its environment. That means it carry information. More specifically, by the interaction with translation enzymes to RNA and then the aspects of transfer RNA, the DNA sequence and produce an 'equivalent' amino acid sequence.

The information is in the sequence, but it is produced naturally via causal feedback interactions with the environment.

Okay, but all I’m asking is where the information originated from? When information is put into a book or a computer system, it is put there by a person with intelligence enough to have gathered or discovered it.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Thats a fallacious, bogus question. Asking for a beginning or a first cause for something that by definition does not have cause is like asking for gold from a tooth.

Then by your standards your questions about the beginning of the universe appear to be bogus.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Okay, but all I’m asking is where the information originated from? When information is put into a book or a computer system, it is put there by a person with intelligence enough to have gathered or discovered it.

Sorry, but you appear to be trying to use a circular argument here. You are defining "information" in such a manner that an intelligence is required. You do not get to do that.

 

[RestlessSoul]

Okay, but all I’m asking is where the information originated from? When information is put into a book or a computer system, it is put there by a person with intelligence enough to have gathered or discovered it.

Information is not to be confused with knowledge or understanding. An example might be that when a flow of warm water enters a frozen pond, it contains information about it’s temperature which it imparts to the body of frozen water. There is no agency in this process, nor is any consciousness required. Consciousness is required, of course, in order to understand the process, but the simple exchange of information does not necessarily require understanding.

 

[InChrist]

I would say I don't know.

But what's the difference between a God always existing and the universe always existing? In other words, how does inserting a God into the equation offer any explanatory power, and why does anyone think God's existence wouldn't also require an explanation?

From a biblical perspective, the difference is that God is defined as the Creator and the universe is created. God is an infinite, eternally Self-existent Being, the universe is finite.

 

[SkepticThinker]

Maybe you just don’t know how to read the Bible or are lacking discernment concerning context, symbolism, etc. I find it coherent. I’m not saying I understand everything or there are not passages I find somewhat confusing, but that’s what the Holy Spirit is for; questions and seeking clarification.

How do you know you've read the Bible properly?
Who cares if it's "unique?" (It's not.)
All the claims about "God used this or that" are just claims.

 

[InChrist]

Information is not to be confused with knowledge or understanding. An example might be that when a flow of warm water enters a frozen pond, it contains information about it’s temperature which it imparts to the body of frozen water. There is no agency in this process, nor is any consciousness required. Consciousness is required, of course, in order to understand the process, but the simple exchange of information does not necessarily require understanding.

So are you saying that although
the universe appears to be structured rationally, logically, with mathematical precision and predictability there is no consciousness, nor knowledgeable understanding behind it?

 

[SkepticThinker]

From a biblical perspective, the difference is that God is defined as the Creator and the universe is created. God is an infinite, eternally Self-existent Being, the universe is finite.

If a God could have always existed, then a universe could have always existed.

 

[RestlessSoul]

So are you saying that although
the universe appears to be structured rationally, logically, with mathematical precision and predictability there is no consciousness, nor knowledgeable understanding behind it?

No, I’m certainly not saying that. I am not an atheist, nor am I a deist who believes in a disinterested God.

What I’m saying is, that in order to understand the natural processes by which the universe is governed, including those by which life came about in our corner of it, it is not necessary to assume agency or purpose. Indeed, for the natural sciences to make such an assertion, would be to step beyond the remits of science (which is the study of the natural world).

To the scientist (which I am not), all the phenomena of the natural world can be explained by the laws of physics, albeit that these laws are themselves as much in flux as the natural world they endeavour to describe. I have no argument with the scientists here; but I consider it a philosophical absurdity, to claim that the infinitely complex laws governing the natural world with such intricate precision, could possibly have emerged of themselves, by happenstance, with neither guidance nor volition.

To me, all of nature’s fathomless perfection is a manifestation of the will of a creative force, which I choose to call God. I can’t see how it could possibly be otherwise, but I have to accept that others do not share this conviction. Their loss, imo.

 

[Subduction Zone]

From a biblical perspective, the difference is that God is defined as the Creator and the universe is created. God is an infinite, eternally Self-existent Being, the universe is finite.

Why would we care about a "biblical perspective"? I would saying going by a reality based perspective would be much more convincing.

 

[Polymath257]

Okay, but all I’m asking is where the information originated from? When information is put into a book or a computer system, it is put there by a person with intelligence enough to have gathered or discovered it.

Information is generated by any causal event. In the case of DNA, the chemicals are information. They interact chemically, which produces more information. The feedback through natural selection adds information.

No intelligence is required to produce or transfer information. It is a natural process that happens without a conscious agent.

You are focusing on one way information is produced (by intelligence) and ignoring the far more common ways it is produced (through casual interactions).

 

[Kfox]

This question is more aimed at atheists. What do you
think caused the Big Bang? Like, where did all the matter of the universe come from? If not God, then what?

To ask where did the Universe come from is like asking a Theist where did God come from. If God always existed, perhaps the Universe always existed.

 

[Viker]

The singularity (an entity of infinite density and zero mass) was under intense pressure from what?

A bad day?