On Infinity

I have heard ID/creationists say that god is eternal and therefore was the only thing that could have created the universe. The common answer that I have heard is any premise that allows god to be eternal can apply to the universe. I have used it myself but I am no scientist. My question has to do with future eternalness not past.Doesn't the Big Bang Theory imply that there will be an eventual death of the universe when it loses all it's energy and matter? I understand that the universe could have existed in some steady state in the past for infinity. But the first time it had a chance to be "unsteady" (for lack of a better term) it is going to die or burn out. Does that death imply non existence in the future or just that it finally breaks back down to it's smallest parts with no energy left?Are there plausible theories that allow for the universe to be eternal (with energy and matter) into the future? Does one way infinity (past not future) imply not being eternal? Will there always be some remnants of the universe (perhaps undefined minute particles or space)?

---

I think therefore I am...busy

Thanks Catholic Scientist!Obviously a cyclic universe implies infinity as long as energy isn't being lost.Since the Big Crunch leads us back to a singularity I will assume it could then lead to another Big Bang potentially starting another cycle and could go on for infinity as long as energy isn't being lost. Even if energy was being lost it would seem like an infinite amount of energy could never be lost. If it is measurable it could be lost...right? I guess if energy was being lost there might come a time when the cycle would stop when there wasn't sufficient energy to create a Big Bang and end in infinite singularity.What about the other two...Big Rip and Heat Death?Can you tell me if the "death" of the universe in these two theories implies nonexistence? Or does this imply breaking down into it's smallest parts and lacking energy? When the energy is gone and matter is gone does the space it occupied cease to exist?Which of these is the most popular theory of today?

---

I think therefore I am...busy

Okay CS,Thanks again for the feedback. I'm not really sure what to make of this analogy. I was thinking it was the other way around. The ripples in the fabric were caused by matter warping space time with gravity. You are saying the ripples allow for the matter to exist.So if I have a flat surface like a plane of glass (representing the universe) but it had imperfections like a bubble on top or underneath it would leave room for matter/energy to exist. Not that existence of the matter and energy cause the imperfections. Am I now thinking in the right terms?I will look into the rest of your links you directed me to when I get a chance. Thanks again.

---

I think therefore I am...busy

Okay CS,That's what I was thinking in the first place...matter/energy creates the ripple.As for your 2d model being 4d. I am assuming you mean that the flat plane is not really flat but has some unknown depth. Is time the 4th dimension or are you talking about another spacial dimension?

---

I think therefore I am...busy

CS,Another question on the flat fabric. I have seen a demonstration on the warping of spacetime with a person holding and stretching a wet paper towel. Then a ball is placed in the middle and the indentation the ball makes is the ripple or the warping of space time.My next question is should I imagine the ball (a planet) actually sitting on top or underneath the fabric or actually existing inside the fabric itself. In other words like the same ball in the middle of two wet paper towels? I have always wondered that.

---

I think therefore I am...busy

CS and Cavediver,Thank you!I was completely off base with how I was thinking about it and I'm not sure I fully understand how to think about it now but I will do some research like you asked. I think I understand most of your points but not all of them.I am glad on one hand that you have corrected my distorted view but I am also a little confused which is why I'm asking questions. Rather than continuing to think in the wrong terms I would much rather try and grasp reality.As you can surely tell by now I am new to this but eager to learn. I appreciate your time and response! Gotta run

---

I think therefore I am...busy