The physics nerds are geeking out over the latest news coming out of CERN, aka the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Scientists announced that one of the latest experiments in the Large Hadron Collider yielded some anomalies that could lead to the discovery of the elusive Higgs boson particle, or the "god particle."
If you just read that paragraph and have no idea what I'm talking about, it's cool. I probably didn't do a great job of explaining it, but here's what you need to know: This Higgs boson thingy-ma-jigg, aka the "god particle," is a big deal. If found, it could essentially prove itself to be the reason that everything exists.
God? Are you there?
The science world hates that the Higgs boson has been dubbed the "god particle" -- it gives the particle a bad rap. It sounds kind of scary, I think. Like if the Higgs boson exists, then God doesn't. But let's go with that for a second. News from CERN is that they're a few months, at most a year away from pinpointing the Higgs boson. If they do, then what happens to our faith?
If this particle is responsible for life, for matter, then what did God do? Does this particle mean that God didn't create the heavens and the Earth? And if so, would our world be a safer place without religion, knowing for certain that atoms touching atoms (not Adams touching Eves) created the world?
Sick of me asking all these questions?
I just don't know how else to write about it. It's not as if I have any answers -- I'm wondering with everyone else what the discovery of the "god particle" means for all of us. I do know that wars have raged for millennia over religious conflicts, and that maybe a world created by particles and not by God might be a safer one. Eventually, that is, not overnight.
To me, God and the Higgs boson aren't mutually exclusive. I really like learning about physics and enjoy reading about the excitement of the looming discovery, but it won't kill God for me. I'm not especially religious, but when I look at newborns, I don't see a collection of atoms, I see love. God is love, no?
Will the discovery of Higgs boson affect your faith?
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Comments 24
Or maybe..... God created the Higgs boson particle to create the world. Ever think that God might be a scientist himself?
I will always believe in God, I have seen his love so much I can't deny it. And no, that doesn't mean that my life is perfect and all the perfection is from his love... it means that in the deepest darkest times of my life when I was suffering the most, grieving, and depressed I felt God's love and he helped me get through those trying times.
Oh boy.
@amy, it's a nice idea, but I think the people causing the trouble aren't open-minded enough to take scientific proof into account. Look at the controversy surrounding evolution.
Agree with hallieballie. Nothing can shake my faith in God. I don't think God and science are mutually exclusive. I don't read the account of creation in Genesis literally, because I don't believe it was ever intended to be read that way. So no scientific discovery will ever shake my faith.
well said @Hallieballie! I am a huge science nerd, and love new discoveries, but I absolutely believe in God and feel His love every day. I agree, lots of wars and wrongs are carried out in His name, but I don't think I could go on without my faith. Correction, I probably would not have gone on and wouldn't be writing this post.
Take religion out of the world, and you will still have wars. Religion is a convenient cover for "I want your land", "I don't like the way you look", and "I am better than you".
Further, it could be argued, by some (and it will offend others, I apologize), that religion is not about God. It is about controlling people. If religion truly were about God, there *wouldn't* be wars, because most religions that call themselves legitimate preach that "God is Love". Well, if God is Love, then religion should be, too, and not about control.
So, finding the "God Particle" will provide "proof" for the athiests, and will be found "heretical" by some religions, and the rest of us will say, "hey, that's cool. wish I understood it better," and then get back to the latest episode of "Real Housewives of the Trailer Park".
Excuse me, Ms Mannering, but I believe you utilized too many big words for our Christian and Catholic audience.
Keep in mind that "there ain't no such thing as science when we gots baby jeebus and his daddy" is a general belief among Christians and Catholics. Logic is a terrible way to write an article when you are hoping to include your religious audience.
You're welcome in advance.