Creation, the Universe and Everything

This week the DACC Library Lines takes a look at the origin of everything, by taking a look at the what various realms of knowledge have to tell us about the creation of the universe and the origin of existence, and how those realms of knowledge co-exist with one another.

Science

Science has long investigated the way that universe came into being. For a simple straightforward explanation of the big bang theory, the widely accepted scientific theory about the origins of the universe, as well as ways in which the theory has evolved and where there are problematic elements, see NASA's WMAP Introduction to Cosmology web site. One of the best overviews of the recent discoveries and research can be found on the PBS Nova: Origins web site, which includes a timeline of the history of the universe as well as the one hour section of the program available as online video Back to the Beginning that chronicles and explains the current thinking. NASA's web site offers information on several missions and discoveries related to elements of universal history on its Universe web site. NASA to Probe the Universe's First Moments shows how the space agency is building an instrument that will enable them to investigate the origins of the universe. Although it is no longer being updated (since 9/09), the archived web site Universe Forum, hosted at Harvard University, offers lots of clear and comprehensible information about the big bang, the earth's place in the cosmos, black holes and dark energy. And to get a sense of both scope and time, check out the Digital Universe, available for both viewing and download from the Hayden Planetarium.

Creation stories

But science is not the only source people turn to for information regarding the origins of the universe. Traditionally religion has fulfilled this role by constructing stories to explain the creation of the earth and heavens. History World offers an overview of creation stories from China to the Hebrew Bible, beginning with a short discussion of common themes and motifs. View a flash animation of a wide range of creation accounts in The Big Myth video. Joseph Campbell was probably the most well known scholar of mythology, the realm of study which intertwines with religion and so has much to say about recurring thematic concerns of the type found in origins and creation accounts. You can get an insight into his thinking on these issues on the site Myths-Dreams-Symbols. Providing an interesting view into the intensity of interaction between religion and science in the area of origins is an essay on the Joseph Campbell Foundation web site by Karl E.H. Seigfried, "Stephen Hawking: The Myths and the Critics", in which he explores the furious outrage that greeted Hawking's new book The Grand Design in which the physicist dismissed the need for creator.

Genesis

Of particular interest to the majority of people in the United States is the Biblical story of Genesis. But like any textual source, Genesis is open to interpretation. A critical interpretative issue in this regard is the question of the Earth's age. Religious Tolerance provides an explanation of the various interpretations of the controversy regarding the difference between Young Earth and Old Earth creationists and scientists. Jason Lisle, who is appearing on campus this week courtesy of the Power House Christian Ministry student organization, represents the Young Earth contingent -- those that believe the earth was created by God approximately 6,000 and no more than 10,000 years ago. Connected with AnswersinGenesis.org, one of the leading Young Earth organizations, Lisle's particular area of expertise is astronomy. He is the planetarium director for the Creation Museum. He has published extensively in the creation research press, including his most recent article, Anisotropic Synchrony Convention: A Solution to the Distant Starlight Problem. The problem of light from stars so far away as to precede the Young Earth creation date is THE problem for astronomers in this field and Lisle has previously addressed it in Distant Starlight and Genesis: Conventions of Time Measurement, writing under the name of Robert Newton. (Young Earth scientists of note have felt pressured, according to AnswersinGenesis to write pseudonymously to avoid undue criticism from professional colleagues.) He responded to the PBS Origins programs in two essays, here and here. For a general view of the scientific community's response to Lisle's latest article, see the Sensuous Curmudgeon's blog entry: Jason Lisle's Instant Starlight Paper.

Despite what some on both sides of the religion/science debate would assert, there are many who comfortably inhabit both realms. Reasons.org is an example of organization that both accepts scientific discovery while also affirming the Christian faith. And several thinkers believe that Buddhism and western science are compatible to greater or lesser degrees, although there has also been criticism of this position. Hinduism's relationship to science is more complex, much like Judeo-Christianity's, but it does have a long history of embracing scientific discovery that is largely unknown in the West. Modern Islam's relationship with science is perhaps the most contested, next to Christianity's. This article from Discover Magazine explores the way that Islamic fundamentalism filters current scientific thought in much the same way Young Earth creationism preconditions the perspective of its adherents. Compare for example the latest issue of Islam & Science with Answers Research Journal. This article from Middle East Forum puts Islam in a historical context to examine the current state of the scientific/religious divide. But Islam does not have a single voice anymore than Christianity or Hinduism do. And Muslim-Science.com provides an online space in which those concerned with finding the compatible spaces between the realms can exchange ideas.