An old quote from the renowned physicist Stephen Hawking found in his 2010 book 'The Grand Design' has resurfaced and gone viral on social media. In it, Hawking stated that God is not necessary to create the universe because gravity allows the universe to emerge from nothing.
This post is rapidly garnering likes and comments. While some laud science, others question the role of God, reviving the age-old battle between science and religion.
What exactly did Hawking say?
In Hawking's book 'The Grand Design' (2010), it is written...
Because there is a law like gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist. It is therefore unnecessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going.
Hawking implied that the laws of physics are so powerful that they can initiate the universe without external help. He was referring to quantum physics and the Big Bang theory, where particles can emerge from 'nothing'.
Source: aajtak
What's happening on social media?
Supporters say:
Science operates on evidence. Old clips of atheists like Ricky Gervais are shared, where he says that science keeps questioning, while religion relies on ancient texts.
Critics ask:
Alright, but who made the law of gravity? Many joke – let there be gravity. Or I'll say – let there be gravity so money appears in my bank account.
Some remind of Hawking's agnostic stance:
Hawking identified as agnostic (uncertain about God's existence) rather than atheist. He never completely denied God, he simply stated God was not necessary to explain the universe.
The scientific perspective: What was Hawking's theory?
Hawking and his co-author Leonard Mlodinow explained in the book...
Before the Big Bang, there was no time, so what came before is meaningless.
According to the Quantum Gravity Theory, the universe is one of many possibilities that could have spontaneously emerged.
This is based on the No Boundary Proposal – the universe has no beginning point, it has always existed, but in different forms.
This idea isn't new. Other scientists like Lawrence Krauss have shared similar notions in his book 'A Universe from Nothing'.
The perspective of faith and belief
Believers say...
There must be someone to create the laws. Rules do not self-form.
The universe's beauty, life's complexity, and morality indicate God's presence.
Science explains how. Religion explains why. They are different domains.
Many religious scholars state that the Big Bang Theory aligns with God's creation – it's just that God gave the initial nudge.
The debate will never end
Hawking's statement is 15 years old, yet remains contentious today. Science continues to produce new evidence, but questions about God and faith are more philosophical and personal. This debate on social media shows people remain as curious about these profound questions – Where did we come from, what is the purpose of life – as they ever were.
Hawking himself said that understanding the universe is the greatest excitement of all. Perhaps that common pursuit of inquiry is what can unite both sides.
