quote:
The theory of relativity predicts an ABSOLUTE beginning.
Perhaps it does. However, all our laws of nature and theories concerning the universe are based on observations made in the here-and-now. It is possible that processes that we do not yet suspect operated in the very early universe.
-
quote:
The first law of thermodynamics can not allow for such a beginning.
Perhaps it doesn't. However, again, the First Law of Thermodynamics is based on observations made within the universe; it may have not be valid to apply it to the universe as a whole (look up the Fallacy of Composition).
-
quote:
Nevertheless, that there was a beginning is without question.
Actually, it is not without question. In fact, I have questioned it myself many times on this very message board. The only response I have gotten to date are either very old arguments already known to be unsound, or the Fallacy of Personal Incredulity.
-
quote:
The only other alternative MUST by needs be supernatural.
Not at all. There may be naturalistic alternatives that no one has yet thought of. Or naturalistic alternatives that have been thought of, but you have not yet heard of.
Edited to correct minor typos.
This message has been edited by Chiroptera, 11-Feb-2006 07:18 PM
"Intellectually, scientifically, even artistically, fundamentalism -- biblical literalism -- is a road to nowhere, because it insists on fidelity to revealed truths that are not true." -- Katha Pollitt
™ Version 4.2