Tadpole Galaxy - UGC 10214

The new camera on the Hubble space telescope has captured spectacular views of the universe.  These images include stunning views of a colliding galaxy dubbed "the tadpole."  The picture shows a long tail of stars that looks like a runaway pinwheel firework.

These new images call us to reconsider how remarkable it is that the universe is capable of sustaining life.  We find ourselves echoing the sentiments of Goldilocks in the children's story as she discovered that the baby bear's bed and porridge were "just right" for comfortable life.  The list of parameters that are "just right" for the existence of any kind of conceivable life is a long one.  For instance, if the force holding the electron to the nucleus were slightly different there would be no chemistry at all to sustain life.  Neither would we be here if gravity were altered.  If gravity were lower, there wouldn't be nuclear reactions to heat the sun.  If higher, the lifetime of stars would be too short for life to exist.

The famous British physicist, Stephen Hawking, has pointed out that unless the initial conditions of creation were precise to the 55th decimal place, we wouldn't be here.

So next time you see those Hubble pictures, remember that if the beginning conditions had been minutely different, we wouldn't be here to talk about it.

MOVING BEYOND MATTER
by Ron Hughes

The list of scientific discoveries which support the idea of design behind the universe keeps growing.  Even scientists who have no particular sympathy for divinity observe that the chances of our being here to ponder the reason for our own existence is remote.

Yet, for many in our world, the concept of God behind the material universe is unpalatable at best, and downright terrifying otherwise.  If there is One who is so powerful, that He could produce from nothing the elements of which matter composed, our accomplishments are paltry.

On top of this, if there is a God who is so intelligent and powerful, it seems likely that He would take an interest in His creation.  And that's where the real rub comes.  We would be confronted with the awesome prospect that we are, in fact, dependent members of a system which is exists to suit the purposes of Another.

Christians are sometimes accused of using the concept of "God" as a crutch.  The argument runs that their fears and insecurities motivate them to invent a kind, benevolent God who will make everything work out in the end. 

This presupposes that Christians are motivated by their feelings and unbelievers are not.  Could it be that the crutch of materialism gives people a false sense of security?  Might it not be that their dread of having to answer to One who is immeasurably intelligent, powerful, and good prompts them to dismiss Him?  These people are looking for a system which allows them to control their lives and live without restraint.

Outside of supernatural revelation, a definitive answer on this is out of the question until it is too late for us.  If we are prudent, we will look carefully at both the evidence for and against the existence of God as well as at our motives for believing as we do.  As the evidence for Intelligent Design mounts, we must all think about the ramifications in our own lives.