Humans may be primed to believe in creation

[Believer1997]

Hmm... I'm just a little confused .... what ARE your credentials?

[nebula]

If matter can be neither created nor destroyed, where did all this matter come from?

We don't know.

The coolest thing about science is that the fact that there's always some new area to explore. . . .

Yet the experts seem to not want to venture down this path.

With regards to the question of what existed before the Big Bang, the answer comes back something like, "It's foolish to ask such a question."

The pre-Big bang is supposed to have been subatomic in size.

Herein I can comment intelligently. The size of an object is not necessarily related to its mass.

But I was talking about matter.

In order for the Big Bang to work, one would have to envision how the entire universe could be compressed back into the subatomic singularity from which it all first came from (deconstruction, I believe it's called).

Conversely, if you put a marshmallow into a vacuum chamber and suck most of the air out, it will balloon into a giant-sized mega-marshmallow. It still weighs the same, though.

And if I sucked all the air back out and then some, it wouldn't have any more gravity than when it was super-inflated.

While I interacted on an astronomy board, we discussed an animated movie based on Treasure Island that took place in outer space. In the movie they were at a safe distance from a sun that "changed" into a black hole. Suddenly there was a gravity increase from where t hey were located, and the ship was pulled into the black hole. They guys who studied this stuff commented that the gravity from their position would have stayed the same, for it would have taken an increase in mass to do so.

[nebula]

Hmm... I'm just a little confused .... what ARE your credentials?

Hey -

Are any of us here credited theologians? Would that make our theological discussions more or less valid if we were or were not?

[MorningGlory]

Hmm... I'm just a little confused .... what ARE your credentials?

Hey -

Are any of us here credited theologians? Would that make our theological discussions more or less valid if we were or were not?

Don't know about that one but I AM interested to know what TYPE of scientist is giving expert opinions in this thread. He (xaxyx) also offered to teach OneLight about science. I think it's reasonable to know on what basis he can do this. I asked; I didn't get a straight answer.

[nebula]

I know, but how one asks a question makes a difference. He can be anything from a smart-cookie student to a science hobby-ist to an actual professional. I agree it would be nice to know who/what it is I'm interacting with (the big disadvantage of internet communicating, we can't see the other person). But there really is no reason to be annoyed or offended, is there?

[MorningGlory]

I know, but how one asks a question makes a difference. He can be anything from a smart-cookie student to a science hobby-ist to an actual professional. I agree it would be nice to know who/what it is I'm interacting with (the big disadvantage of internet communicating, we can't see the other person). But there really is no reason to be annoyed or offended, is there?

No, there isn't; that's why I asked him politely. I'm not annoyed or offended at all.

[nebula]

You weren't the one I had initially responded to.

[MorningGlory]

You weren't the one I had initially responded to.

Good; I don't wanna be a meanie today. (Maybe tomorrow!)

[Gerioke]

Matthew 11

25 At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;

Matthew 19

14 but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."

Luke 10

21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.

John 13

33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, 'Where I am going you cannot come.'

[Xaxyx]

Don't know about that one but I AM interested to know what TYPE of scientist is giving expert opinions in this thread. He (xaxyx) also offered to teach OneLight about science. I think it's reasonable to know on what basis he can do this. I asked; I didn't get a straight answer.

My apologies if I was seemingly evasive. I didn't understand I was being asked about my credentials. You asked about my 'bailiwick'; that to me seemed to mean an area of interest, rather than an area of expertise.

So, now that I better understand the question, I'll be... purposefully evasive! I respectfully decline to answer, as I prefer anonymity with regards to my background and experience. My apologies.

If, as alluded, my refusal to provide my credentials nullifies our ability to converse, then I regret that very much. But my stance is firm.