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 Stephen Hawking at the World Science Festival in New York in 2010.
May 17th, 2011
01:44 PM ET
Heaven is 'a fairy story,' scientist Stephen Hawking saysBy Dan Gilgoff, CNN.com Religion Editor The concept of heaven or any kind of afterlife is a "fairy story," famed British scientist Stephen Hawking said in a newspaper interview this week. "I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail," the physicist said in an interview published Sunday in Britain's Guardian newspaper. "There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark." Hawking, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - a terminal and debilitating illness that causes loss of mobility and impairs speech - at age 21 and was not expected to live long after, also talked with The Guardian about his own mortality. "I have lived with the prospect of an early death for the last 49 years," said Hawking, 69. "I'm not afraid of death, but I'm in no hurry to die. I have so much I want to do first." In a book published last year, Hawking wrote that God did not create the universe, in what he said was an attempt to banish a divine creator from physics. Hawking says in the book "The Grand Design" that given the existence of gravity, "the universe can and will create itself from nothing." "Spontaneous creation is the reason why there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist," he wrote in the introduction of the book, which was published in September. "It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper (fuse) and set the universe going," Hawking wrote. CNN's Richard Greene contributed to this report. soundoff (4,469 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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There seems to be lot of talk here equating belonging to a religion and a belief in God or a higher power. One does not have to belong to a religion to believe in a higher power. I believe that what separates us from one another is something wonderfully unique and untouchable..our "soul" or whatever you want to call it. I strongly believe we return to this world time and time again in another physical body until our souls are cleansed. I have done extensive reading on this, attended workshops and have undergone numerous past life regressions and in one case was actually able to actually validate one such regression some years after I experienced. I dont think we should summarily dismiss things without an open mind especially in such a fascinating area where many many thoughts and facts exist. many of which are completely unexplainable even to the smartest of "scientists"
a master THEORETECIST.
OK, so he's got a hypothesis. Now where's the conclusion...not theory
I like when they say God created all of existence but he had always existed. It's like saying that whatever existed first must of had a consciousness. Otherwise, the universe would seem to be very impersonal.
I wonder who he's trying to convince, us or himself. All I can say is it will be a terrible thing to face the God anyone would deny and stand accountable for your sin.
Mr. hawking has no idea what he is talking about, nor does he have evidence that there is no heaven or after life. Know why? He's NOT DEAD YET! even when he dies, he will not be able to report back his findings, so his statements are and will always be meaningless and hollow. Bottom line is we will never really know what happens to us after we die until AFTER WE DIE. Personally, I know that I will go to heaven b/c my faith dictates it. Know why I beleive that? It's not proof. It's faith.
Hawkins is the gatekeeper, didn't you know?.....and I would like that red pill, please.
I wonder if he has been outfitted with an asbestos suit?
Hmmm, I feel bad for those who do not know our loving God and pray that God will open their eyes like he did mine. There is such a great peace in him and all it takes is opening up your heart. Some people cant accept the concept of Faith and need "answers" and scientific proof, but not matter what, the 10% of the human brain we actually use wouldn't be able to comprehend the amazing power, love, and knowledge of God. Jesus is the answer.
Sounds like someone is bitter, and since no one has come back to tell us about I chose to believe as I have been near death several times in the past four years I am still here. There was a man named Thomas who had the same sort of opinion and his mind was put at ease, a story you may say well again no one can dispute it as they weren't there. Again I chose to believe that the miracle of great minds like Hawkins was not created from an ape or you would have apes attending college. Miracles happen everyday.
I as raised to be very religious, but then found science. I find no proof of God, but rather things we don't understand. I don't think anyone can say for sure, but I would be willing to bet my life (and soul if I had one) that religion is fairytale. Worst Christian bumper sticker of all time: "In case of rapture this car will be without a driver." Best bumper sticker of all time: "In case of rapture can I have your car?"
that is pretty funny. And YES, you may have my car! God bless Brad!
Here is why I don't believe science: For every scientist out there who has a "so called" theory about how something happened, there is another scientist with a vastly different theory on the same topic.
Take dinosaurs for instance. I've heard every possible reason as to how they became extinct. Disease, asteroid, ice age, you name it the reasons abound. Yet the geniuses that make up our scientific community cannot even agree on one simple solution to that puzzle.
One day I'm told to eat eggs, the next I'm told they have too much cholestrol, then again the next day I can eat eggs again.
If I put my faith in science I'd go totally insane trying to figure out what line of B.S. they are trying to sell me from day to day.
If you don't believe in God then fine, don't believe. But don't criticize those who choose to. I don't criticize you for not believing. I might criticize you for other things but not about believing in God. You'll find out one day the truth.
I just want to give Stephen Hawkins a big round of applause for creating our universe and all the galaxies known and unknown, for placing the earth in perfect balance with the sun, moon and stars to sustain human life and for creating our complex body, brain and soul. Stephen you have all the answers yet you have none of them, your claim to fame like so many other scientist is trying to explain what God has done, yet nothing you have done is original for what you do is merely Childs play to what God has created.
We spend a great deal of time discussing God, examining the pros and cons of the existence of a God, yet we overlook the obvious. for all of you smart people, the doubters the nay Sayers I challenge you to just go outside and look at your environment, the trees, the insects, the flora and fauna, look to the sky’s and the stars, moon and sun and tell me what are you responsible for!!. Look at the human body, your body the thousands of muscles, billions of cells, the complexity of the brain, the direction and flow of the blood a masterpiece that goes unnoticed, What did you do to make this all possible?, what can you take credit for? you will find your answer is nothing yet you still dispute the existence of God?
While I would never claim to have an intellect even close to that of Mr. Hawking, when I consider the subject logically from total objectivity, I have to conclude there is intelligent design involved in the creation of the Universe, or at least those occupying it. When you look at the complexity of life, regardless and the trillions of random possibilities in such a vast universe, it simply makes no sense. Evolution misus direction violates every law of common sense and logic. It would be as likely as throwing the materials to construct a building in the air repeatly and expecting them to eventually land as a completed building. Is there a God? As my name implies, I do not have the answer to that question. Do I buy into the popular notion of our creator? Again, while the story seems unlikely, it's difficult to dismiss it entirely.
"Evolution minus direction violates every law of common sense and logic."
Evolution has direction: procreation. Evolution and procreation are inextricably tied to each other. Remove one and the other ceases.
I guess he isn't as smart as we thought!
I still find him remarkably intelligent. But then again, I have my doubts about heaven as well.
Haha I love it. How to lose your credibility in one minute.. Express your atheism. Yet if Prof. Hawking said he believed in an old guy watching us from the sky, and that we all get mansions when we die, people like you would hang on his every word! It's hilarious! So much rationality this day in age.
Faith is believing that everything in this universe came together over billions of years and just so happened to eventually place you on this amazing planet. I have faith in the big bang and most of what science has taught us and discovered. But I also have faith that there is a god – and I'm a Christian. God just makes sense. I can't believe all this random stuff happened and here I am. It was set in motion by something I can't comprehend. Mr H is brilliant but in the grand scheme of things he's just another human with his opinions. I respect his right to have and say what he feels.
You're looking at it from the wrong perspective. Religion is inherently egotistical, and all conclusions come from that viewpoint. For example, a religious person says: "How did all of this come together so perfectly to make me? It's statistically impossible, it has to be God."
A non-religious person says: "How is it that I'm perfectly suited to live in the world around me? It's statistically inevitable, since the universe is endlessly changing over endless time."
Religion is result of the human mind to require answers. Prior to the scientific method, it may have even been necessary to our very existence. Now it just sullies our decision making ability.
I think the idea that heaven and hell were created for the masses is a little simplistic. The concept goes back to the beginning of human and maybe even pre-humane ancestors. We are still trying to explain who we are and from were we came now we call it science and it has largely taken the place of religion even to the church goes. Even science requires faith. I have to have faith in Hawkins because I can’t understand what he understands. I have faith because I see what science can do from cell phones to the space station just as early man had faith in the shaman who could predict weather changes and the seasons so a good harvest could be produced and my family could live another year.
Going beyond the heavens:
The Apostles' Creed 2011: (updated by yours truly based on the studies of NT historians and theologians during the past 200 years)
I might believe in a god whose existence cannot be proven
and said god if he/she/it exists resides in an unproven,
human-created, spirit state of bliss called heaven.
I believe there was a 1st century CE, Jewish, simple,
preacher-man who was conceived by a Jewish carpenter
named Joseph living in Nazareth and born of a young Jewish
girl named Mary. (Some say he was a mamzer.)
Jesus was summarily crucified for being a temple rabble-rouser by
the Roman troops in Jerusalem serving under Pontius Pilate,
He was buried in an unmarked grave and still lies
a-mouldering in the ground somewhere outside of
Jerusalem.
Said Jesus' story was embellished and "mythicized" by
many semi-fiction writers. A bodily resurrection and
ascension stories were promulgated to compete with the
Caesar myths. Said stories were so popular that they
grew into a religion known today as Catholicism/Christianity
and featuring dark-age, daily wine to blood and bread to body rituals
called the eucharistic sacrifice of the non-atoning Jesus.
Amen
No,No,No. "Science (from Latin: scientia meaning "knowledge") is an enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the world. An older and closely related meaning still in use today is that of Aristotle, for whom scientific knowledge was a body of reliable knowledge that can be logically and rationally explained."
Faith is the complete opposite. : readiness or willingness to believe especially on slight or uncertain evidence
if hawking doesn't believe in heaven, then maybe hell has a reserved spot for him
John King brings up another, even sillier, aspect of Christian superst-itions. Non-believers will burn for eternity in hell. Think this through. You don’t have to kill, you don’t have to rob, hell, you don’t even have to litter. All you have to do is be obdurate in rejecting the Christian god and he will inflict a punishment upon you an infinite times worse than the death penalty….and he loves you.
Dark Ages nonsense.
i love the argument some bring up that if you don't believe in heaven I am going to burn in hell. If you were smart enough as none of you are. If I don't believe in heaven then I don't believe in hell so to me that statement means nothing.
You waste your time and energy typing that out.
Of course. Your either with your god or against him. Why would a supreme being that created everything demand so much? Couldn't such a being foresee Prof. Hawking's future scientific inquiries?
Im very sure if one does not think there is a heaven, then a hell is not real either. You have such childish notions about the world and universe–as all people of religion do. Personally, I am an Atheist and I find it very comical how religious people are so engrained with the notion of god that they propose that an Atheist god must be the big bang and the son of his god is evolution. Thats how mind numbing stupid most religious people are. They cant conceive of a world without a god that they have to make up an Atheist god so they can hate that god to. Very comical, but very scary also.
And does hell really have reserved seating? Do they have handicapped parking as well? I must assume so since all mentally-handicapped people go to hell as stated in the christian bible.
Tell me do you use that kind of thinking on your children? I think that'd be a really good way to scare the crap out of them...
Obviously there is a higher power, a higher energy of some sort that created all of what we see in such abstract perfection, but it has chosen to remain anonymous. Here's the good news: with a little prayer and meditation, you can actually contact it and begin an actual dialogue and your heart will be filled with as much joy as any born again Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu or Jew, only you will be communicating with the real thing.
"Obviously there is a higher power"? Very bold sir.
You forgot schizophrenic.
Self delusion can indeed be extremely comforting, but it doesn't make it real. You are the poster child for believing what you want to believe.
69 years ago, scientists also did not believe that people with ALS could live to be 69. 😉
Yes, and then we found EVIDENCE that they could.
Why is your religion the correct religion? Interesting question, and it is hard to believe that any normal intelligent person would not ask such a question. The subject matter involves eternal consequences, so the question is absolutely important. So why then so many diverse religions? Also a good question. The real problem is that exceedingly few persons love truth. Therefore, there is little searching for truth.
Truth is a casualty in affairs very often...its very very difficult to ascertain and get to...and then for all to agree on the truth, almost seems impossilbe
I agree with you 100%! The major religions in the world are divided up into+/- Christianity 33%, Islam 21%, Hinduism 14%, Non religions 16% and 16% for the other religions. Since no one agrees and everyone is convinced that their religion is right, more then half of the people in the world are wrong! Why is your religion (what ever it is) right and everyone else is wrong?
Religious people are not searching for truth ... they are searching for comfort. Faith is for people who are unwilling to accept the consequences of not believing. And when I refer to "consequences", I don't mean eternal damnation. I mean consequences such as self reliance, personal morality, chaos theory, random effects, and no life after death. Press any religious person on why they believe as they do in spite of the total absence of supporting evidence* and if they ever get beyond saying "because the Bible tells me so" they will eventually admit that it comes down to the simple fact that they prefer to do so. That would be fine by me if they didn't need everyone else to believe as they do. What do you think the odds are of an atheist getting elected President of the United States?
*What is the single most fundamental premise of the world's major religions? Life after death. Out of maybe twelve or fifteen billion opportunities (human deaths) what has never, ever been proven to exist (aside from a single contested instance from 2,000 years ago) ? Life after death.
>Hawking says in the book "The Grand Design" that given the existence of gravity, "the universe can and will create itself from nothing."<
That is like saying that given the existence of a generator, electricity can and will create itself from nothing.
Mr. Hawing, how might you explain the existence of gravity? It's a pretty big "given", wouldn't you say?
Truth be told, Mr. Hawking's very existence is proof of a Creator. For only a higher power could create a man who is at once both brilliantly intelligent and yet completely blind.
mordechai: ">Hawking says in the book "The Grand Design" that given the existence of gravity, "the universe can and will create itself from nothing."< ... That is like saying that given the existence of a generator, electricity can and will create itself from nothing."
Not to mention it's illogical and somewhat circular. If gravity depends on matter for its existence, then how could it exist to create matter, when it needs matter for its existence?
How is Hawkings existance proof of your invisible sky jockey? Faith is NOT fact and faith is NOT science. Your credulity is showing.
So who / what created god then?
Lightning is proof that there is electricity without nothing.
You are not intelligent....Stephen Hawking is one of the most brilliant minds this planet has ever seen!! Enough said....
No that's not saying anything like that at all. Your comment shows just how big of a fool you really are and how little you understand about physics.
Your argument is just as flawed. You ask Mr. Hawking to explain the existence of gravity? Why don't you explain the existence of a Creator?
I'm sure he could explain to you in great detail the nature of gravity. However, it would all fly way over your head.
Yes. Because your knowledge on the matter is far superior to that of Hawking's. LOL!
Prof. Hawking is a scientist and you are... I think he can explain gravity better than you can.
This question makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
Particles and antiparticle pairs come into existence spontaneously out of nothing, which can be observed in the laboratory. Nobody invokes God in this phenomenon. The spontaneous appearance of the universe out of nothing is different only in its scale. No need to bother God about it.
Well I guess Mr. Hawking will find out someday won't he? Look at it this way, I believe in God. If I'm right then I get to go to heaven. If I'm wrong then no big deal. There is nothing after death in that scenario anyway.
For Mr. Hawking, if there is no God then once again, no big deal. But if there is? Well let's just say I don't think God will look too favorably on letting the ol' athiest through the gates of heaven. There is another place for people like Mr. Hawking.
I used that childish logic when I was about ten years old. I have come to realize that it is not necessary to have an explanation for that which we don't understand. It is enough to say"I don't know". And the mythology concocted by cave men running around in the desert is a pitiful excuse. All religions are an embarrassment to rational human beings.
Your analogy is so flawed I don't know where to start. At least come up with an argument that makes sense.
Yeah, and bananas fit in your hand for a reason. Is that you Ray?
However you twist it, you can't escape one thing: Your religion is purely and solely based on BELIEF, and nothing else. You cannot prove anything without resorting to dogmas circular arguments.
And just in case you claim we cannot prove that god does not exist, remember that the burden of proof is on you.
@ Mike: You better make sure you subscribe to every religion then so you cover all your bases.
People like you continually and utterly amaze me. You cannot fathom that the universe created itself from nothing (or always existed), so you fantasize a god who created himself from nothing (or always existed) who then created the universe. Why is the one any more difficult to believe than the other? No middle man required. I've at least read theories about how the universe might possibly have created itself from nothing (it involves matter and antimatter separating far enough to remain separated), but I've never heard of ANY theory for how god created himself from nothing.