Big Bang and DNA
So far we've focused on evolution and belief in creation. However, what about other fields of science? How do they relate to religious belief? Consider the Big Bang and DNA. When I think that the entire universe (which is incredibly larger than I can wrap my mind around) sprung forth from a moment of being a small substance, it baffles me. The same goes for how all living organisms are programmed by DNA coding. Can you imagine how unlikely this seems?
What do you think? Are these coincidences? Or do you believe there's something deeper going on?
6 Replies
The way that DNA, chromosomes and genes work is incredible. Through science, research and modern technology the way our bodies function and work has been uncovered. It is fascinating how complex the components such as the double helix, hydrogen bonds, etc., and the process of sequencing and genetic coding makes each individual on this earth unique and distinct. There must be something deeper going on, since there is no way that DNA is a random act of science. Therefore, God specifically and intentionally created these processes. However, a few complications and questions arise. There are genetic mutations and damage that exist, so does this mean that God chose to inhibit a child from having a 21 chromosome (down syndrome) and is in control of genetic alterations and changing individuals depending on his plan? Also the delimma of the genome, genetic mapping, and genetic replication causes controversy. Is it natural and ethically right to alter DNA if it is God’s ultimate decision? Are we as humans disobeying God, if it means helping a human?
It is hard to accept the complexities of DNA, the universe, and even everyday occurrences we take for granted without seeing some sort of meaning behind them. I remember being in junior high school when a religion teacher was telling us about the big bang and how this was most likely not just a theory, but that the big bang was how the universe came to be. However, he stated that the bang needed to have a catalyst which set it off, and he believed this to be proof of God. I think it is important to find meaning behind things like this, or else one may end up taking things for granted, or fail to appreciate the complexities of the universe, such as its vastness, or the even the complexities of DNA.
Taking sciences (chem&bio) throughout highschool has shown the many complexities of the world around us. DNA and the the Human Genome alone is incredible. There must be some sort of deeper meaning behind all of this. I most definitely don't think that these were scientific miracles that arised out of no where. But,take Adam and Eve for example, they were preceived in the bible as almost identical. If they truely were the beginning of the human race, where have other ethnicities and thier genes come from? This is where the DNA and science comes in. The gene pool alone between them isn't big enough to compensate for the amount of different genes we have now. I do however believe there is some sort of higher power, but for things such as evolution and the complexities of DNA, it doesn't always add up.
Science and Religion are related and linked so that one can explain the other, or vice versa. From what I believe, science and religion rely on each other's concepts, theories and "facts".Science is more like an explanation or understanding of what religion and its beliefs contains. The Big Bang IS just a theory, and even if the universe were to begin that way, how could you explain how and why it happened. It is something that cannot be further explained and something so immense could not have just happened "spontaneously", which leaves us questioning and believing that there IS something greater, leading to the belief in God. The universe itself is a complex structure and 'cycle' or life. Science can explain and understand how 'DNA' and such, works around us but there are always holes in explaining and understanding the complexities of life, which does leave scientists baffled, and still questioning. What created all this? Who made such vast complexities happen, to serve the way life is?
As you have all argued, I too believe that there is something deeper that lead to the creation of everything. The "Big Bang" must have been triggered by something and I believe that that something was God. The Universe, and Earth itself, are simply too complex to have been a simple coincidence. It had to have been controlled by some higher being. Something as small and complex as DNA, bacteria, and other microscopic organisms could not have been an accident. I am, however, troubled by the questions that 'pdeacon' rises. Is it right to use technology to alter what God created? But in this way, could it not be argued that God gave us or helped us to create the technology we have? Why would he allow us to have such technology if we are not to use it to save or improve the quality of lives? Here I sit on the fence as I believe there are certain cases where technology should generally be used to save lives such as if stem cell research were to allow an individual to walk again. However, I do not believe technology should be used, for example, to create "designer babies" (genetically modified to have certain, specifically chosen parental traits). I am unsure then of where exactly the line is here and where I really stand on the issue of using technology to modify God's human creations.
I also find it very hard understand how the universe could have started spontaneously as well. I agree with a few of the points about God being the catalyst for the big bang. It's just so odd and unexplainable otherwise.
I also agree with the ideas that there are some amazing things contained in our universe and that these things should be taken for granted. I feel like it is a demonstration of how incredible God is that He was able to create something so immense, such as the universe. DNA is also just as awesome and I think it is a great way to understand how God has a plan for us in that our DNA is a blueprint is supposed to be. I think that God would have directed the evolutionary process that would eventually make DNA the instructions for ourselves.
God being the driving force behind the way each organism is supposed to be would be and that ultimately God had a plan for us the moment He started the Big Bang is known as Intelligent design.
Paige Deacon
Mar 2, 2012 at 1:52 PM