Is Science Limited in Explaining the Universe's Origins?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the limitations of science in explaining the origins of the universe, touching on philosophical and theological implications. Participants explore various viewpoints regarding the necessity of a creator or supreme being and the implications of such beliefs on scientific understanding.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that dismissing the idea of a creator as "religious" is limiting and that science has not answered all questions regarding the universe's origins.
  • Others challenge the notion of a supreme being, questioning who or what created that being if it is posited as the origin of everything.
  • There are discussions about the complexity of existence and the concept of something coming from nothing, with some expressing discomfort with substituting a supreme being for the unknown origins of the universe.
  • Several participants engage in light-hearted banter, using humor to discuss serious topics, including references to religious education and political commentary.
  • One participant shares a personal anecdote about successfully advocating against mandatory religious education, indicating a broader context of the discussion around science and religion.
  • Some posts diverge into unrelated humorous exchanges, including references to food and lighthearted insults, which may detract from the main topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with no clear consensus on the existence of a creator or the adequacy of scientific explanations for the universe's origins. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing perspectives present.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various assumptions about the nature of existence, the definitions of a supreme being, and the limitations of scientific inquiry, which are not fully explored or agreed upon by participants.

  • #91
Speaking of hell, I was reminded of this clever essay:

http://www.greystaples.com/jokes/

Is Hell Exothermic?
Date: Tuesday, December 07, 1999 11:21 AM

The following is an actual question given on a University of Washington chemistry mid term. The answer was so "profound" that the professor shared it with colleagues, which is why we now have the pleasure of enjoying it as well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bonus Question: Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic (absorbs heat)?
Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law, (gas cools off when it expands and heats up when it is compressed) or some variant.

One student, however, wrote the following:
First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time. So we need to know the rate that souls are moving into Hell and the rate they are leaving. I think that we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. Therefore, no souls are leaving.

As for how many souls are entering Hell, let's look at the different religions that exist in the world today. Some of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hell. Since there are more than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all souls go to Hell. With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially.

Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand as souls are added. This gives two possibilities:

1. If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter Hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose.

2. Of course, if Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over. So which is it?

If we accept the postulate given to me by Ms. Teresa Banyan during my Freshman year, "...that it will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you," and take into account the fact that I still have not succeeded in having sexual relations with her, then, #2 cannot be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic and will not freeze.

The student received the only "A" given.
 
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  • #92
hypatia said:
http://www.hell2u.com/about.php

Ive been to Hell , its near Jackson Michigan.

Good old hell.. I remember with fondness and longing... went fishing there. bet you didn't know hell had a river :wink:

incidentally, if there is a hell, I haven't a doubt in my mind that Kirk or someone like him will be there- if only to greet me with with "hah! I told you so!" and drone on endlessly about heaven and hell
 
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  • #93
if i can be of any further assistance to any of you may write me at:
lovekgc@altelco.net
love and peace,
and,
peace and love,
(kirk) kirk gregory czuhai
http://www.altelco.net/~lovekgc/algebra.htm
http://www.altelco.net/~lovekgc/SupportStarvingArtist.htm
 
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  • #94
SOS2008 said:
It seems many religions believe they will be saved and everyone else will go to hell
Although my dad was ordained Presbyterian (in 1923, fresh with his Masters in Religious Studies from McGill), he evolved as rapidly as circumstances allowed. He became United as soon as it was formed, and Unitarian when one was available. He did some other stuff, back and forth through the years, United again and an informal congregationalist community thing. As soon as a Universalist church needed somebody, he was in. (He always was Univeralist, but had never used the name. He was an agnostic because of his studies.) Anyhow, Universalist comes from the belief in universal salvation; ie. there might or might not be a heaven, but there sure as hell ain't no hell (oxymoron deliberate, for those keeping score).

Math Is Hard said:
Speaking of hell, I was reminded of this clever essay:

http://www.greystaples.com/jokes/
The student received the only "A" given.
I actually read that before, but it was nice to be reminded. Never mind the 'A'; the guy should have been graduated with honours on the spot.

Zantra said:
Good old hell.. I remember with fondness and longing... went fishing there. bet you didn't know hell had a river :wink:
A river at a ski resort? What will they think of next? :rolleyes:

Kirk Gregory Czuhai said:
if i can be of any further assistance to any of you may write me at:
lovekgc@altelco.net
Doesn't 'further assisistance' imply that there's already been some? Apparently you're not paying attention. And e-mailing you would be a grievous waste of electrons.
 
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  • #95
there is never a waste of electrons!
http://www.altelco.net/~lovekgc/KingFranklin.htm
http://www.altelco.net/~lovekgc/2go.htm
http://www.altelco.net/~lovekgc/go2.htm
!
some people ARE going to HELL!
love and peace,
and,
peace and love,
kirk
http://www.hell.com
 
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  • #96
Kirk Gregory Czuhai said:
there is never a waste of electrons!
http://www.altelco.net/~lovekgc/KingFranklin.htm
http://www.altelco.net/~lovekgc/2go.htm
http://www.altelco.net/~lovekgc/go2.htm
!
some people ARE going to HELL!
love and peace,
and,
peace and love,
kirk
http://www.hell.com

Are you going to contribute anything positive here, or are you going to continue to spam us with lists of your own personal websites.
 
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  • #97
Moonbear said:
Are you going to contribute anything positive here, or are you going to continue to spam us with lists of your own personal websites.

Nah he isn't.. and i bet he'll go to hell for that :smile: :smile:
 
  • #98
oh GO TO HELL!
just kiddin!
l love everybody!
you do know why do you not?
love and peace,
and,
peace and love,
kirk
 
  • #99
Kirk Gregory Czuhai said:
oh GO TO HELL!
just kiddin!
l love everybody!
you do know why do you not?
love and peace,
and,
peace and love,
kirk

Too late. Look whos going hell now :smile: :smile: :smile:
 
  • #100
Kirk Gregory Czuhai said:
oh GO TO HELL!
just kiddin!
l love everybody!
you do know why do you not?
love and peace,
and,
peace and love,
kirk

persistent little bugger aint he
 
  • #101
kaos said:
persistent little bugger aint he

Yeah, but then again, what do we care? He's going to hell, we're not. He's basically just contradicted himself in this thread, with the loser being just him. We are acting like a catalyst to him. We don't get worn out, the 'substrates' do, which in this case, is Mr 'love and peace'

Hope you have a nice time getting cooked in hell :smile: :smile: :smile:
 
  • #102
Bladibla said:
Hope you have a nice time getting cooked in hell :smile: :smile: :smile:
As an Atheist I do not, of course, believe in hell. He's just going to be recycled. Perhaps, with luck, his atoms will be more useful the next time around.
 

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