Does God exist? My answer to this question is in the affirmative. Based on my study and my experience, I can say with full conviction that God exists. There is no doubt about it. When I say that God exists, I say this in the scientific sense and not in the popular sense.
People generally believe that they are in a position to prove or disprove anything. But this is not the scientific position. According to modern science, you cannot prove or disprove anything, You can only arrive at a probability, rather than a certainty. If there is sufficient data to show that this or that thing probably exists, then one can make the statement that this or that thing exists.
The present question of whether God exists itself raises another question. Studies in anthropology, that is, the science of man, have established that the concept of God is ingrained in human nature. Belief in God runs in our blood. Every man and woman is a born believer. Everyone undergoes this experience at one point of time or the other. Especially in times of helplessness and in crisis, we discover that there is a Supreme Being. Every man and woman has experienced this natural fact at least once in his or her life.
Then why this question? If the concept of God is present in our flesh and blood, why does one question the existence of God? The reason is very simple. People want to know whether there is a rational basis to their inner belief, whether there is some scientific proof in favour of their inner feelings.
I must emphasise that there is certainly a scientific basis for belief in the existence of God. But people generally fail to discover it for the simple reason that they try to apply a criterion which they wrongly believe to be scientific. They want a proof in terms of observation, whereas this is neither the scientific method nor the criterion by which to judge. If you apply the right criterion, you will find that God is a proven fact.
Here I recall an incident which took place in 1965, when I was living in Lucknow. I happened to meet a gentleman, who was a Doctor of Philosophy and a great admirer of Bertrand Russell.
Of course, he was an atheist. During our conversation about God he asked: “What criterion do you have to prove the existence of God?” I replied: “The same criterion which you have for proving the existence of anything else.” The dialogue ended there. There was no question and no answer after this.
Why did this learned man fall silent? The reason is very simple and well known. My answer was to him a kind of reminder. I reminded him of the fact that we are living in a world where inferential argument is as applicable to the concept of God as to any other concept.
In our modern times scientific knowledge has increased to an unbelievable extent. But, according to the Encyclopedia of Ignorance, “increase in knowledge has only increased our ignorance.” One scientist has rightly said: “We know more and more about less and less.” Now it is an established fact that science gives us but a partial knowledge of reality.
Human knowledge has two different phases—the pre-Einstein period and the post-Einstein period. In the pre-Einstein period, knowledge was confined to the macro or material world, which was observable and measurable. So, it was generally held that everything, which has a real existence, should also be observable. Anything which could not be observed had no real existence. This meant that only the seen world was real and what was unseen was unreal, or some kind of fiction.
This concept created the theory which is generally called logical positivism. It means that the only valid logical argument is one which is demonstrable in material terms, otherwise it is simply a baseless claim, and not a valid argument.
But, in the post-Einstein period, in the early years of the 20th century, when the atom was split, the whole situation changed. After the splitting of the atom, matter as a solid substance, disappeared. It was replaced by the micro world, beyond the atomic world, where everything was reduced to unseen waves, neither measurable nor observable.
After this revolution in knowledge, logical or rational argument also changed drastically. This changing situation compelled the philosophers and the scientists to revise logical criteria. It has now become an accepted fact that inferential argument is as valid as direct argument.
In the post-Einstein era, it was discovered that even so-called observable matter was unobservable. Now everything was waves, and waves were not observable.
Present-day science includes so many things, like electrons, the law of gravity, x-rays, etc., all of which are non-material in nature. They cannot be observed, but every scientist believes in their existence, for the simple reason that, although we cannot see these things directly, we can see their effect. For example, a falling apple, in the case of gravity, and a photograph, in the case of x-rays. We believe in the existence of all these things, not by observation but by their result; in other words, by way of indirect knowledge.
This change in human knowledge also changed the theory of logic. Now it is well established in science that inferential argument is as valid as direct argument. (For details, see Human Knowledge, by Bertrand Russell)
In the pre-Einstein era, unbelievers held that the concept of God pertains to the unseen world. And since no direct argument was available to bear this out, belief in God was held to be illogical and all the relevant indirect arguments were considered scientifically invalid, since they were inferential in nature.
But now the whole situation has changed. Nothing is observable. So the existence of anything can be established only by means of inferential argument, rather than by direct argument.
If inferential argument is valid with regard to the unseen micro world, it is also valid with regard to the existence of God.
Bertrand Russell, in his book, “Why I am not a Christian”, has admitted this fact. He says that the argument centering on design, propounded by theologians to prove the existence of God, is scientifically valid.
Since ancient days, theologians have argued that when there is a design there must also be a designer. As we see that our world is well designed, it compels us to believe that there is a designer.
When we reflect deeply about our world, we find that all over the universe there are clear signs of planning, design and intelligent control. These signs lead us to believe that there is a Creator of creatures, there is a Designer of designs, and there is a Mover of all movements.
No other explanation presents itself. Here I would like to refer to some of these universal signs.
The Beginning of the Universe
Let us begin from the beginning. Science tells us that 25 billion years ago there was a Big Bang in space. After this Big Bang our universe came into existence. Scientists have found evidence to believe that in the beginning there was what they call a cosmic ball. All the particles now present in the universe were tightly bound to each other in this cosmic ball in a highly compressed state.
According to the known physical laws, only an inner journey was possible for these particles. Physically, there was no possibility of their outward journey in space.
Then, according to astronomical studies, this cosmic ball suddenly exploded. The compact particles scattered outward, and the present universe came into existence, perhaps within the space of a few minutes.
It was a violent explosion and we know that every explosion is destructive, except one, which is pre-planned. Chernico of Russia is a recent example. It was a sudden explosion, which proved totally destructive. On the other hand, there is the example of exploding rocks to build tunnels. This second type of explosion is always pre-planned, and as such, is always constructive in its result.
The Big Bang explosion resulted in a universe that is highly constructive and meaningful, in every sense of these words. This miraculous phenomenon is enough to make us believe that the Big Bang explosion was certainly pre-planned. And when it is proved that it was pre-planned, it is automatically proved that behind this pre-planning there was a planner, indeed a Super Planner. And it is this Super Planner who is God Almighty.
Expansion
Scientific studies in space have proved that our universe is an expanding one. We know that in the human world, every expansion has its limits. When you blow up a balloon, you cannot blow indefinitely. Every balloon has a blowing limit and after reaching that limit it bursts.
In human history, there have been so many political empires—the Roman empire, the Ottoman empire, the Mughal empire, the British empire, etc.—Their rulers wanted to expand their realms indefinitely. But after reaching a certain limit they became unmanageable and over time, they disintegrated.
The same is true of industrial houses or industrial companies. The masters of these industrial empires always want to go on and on expanding. But every day we hear the news that this or that industrial company is facing bankruptcy. Why? It is for the simple reason that after some time, they reached an unmanageable limit, and collapsed.
Contrary to this, the universe presents an exceptionally different example. Although the universe is constantly expanding at an astonishing speed, it is still functioning smoothly after billions and billions of years of expansion. It has never become unmanageable to the point of collapsing.
This exceptionally unique phenomenon of the universe is a sufficient proof that there is a Super Manager or Super Planner behind this world. Otherwise, it would have collapsed long ago.
(For more details, see Evidence of God in an Expanding Universe, compiled by John Clover Mansoma)
Harmony
Studies show that there is complete harmony in the universe. There are innumerable stars and planets in space, perhaps more than all the grains of sand on the coasts of all the oceans. All these bodies are continuously moving at an unbelievably rapid speed. But there is no collision between these astral bodies.
There are numerous such phenomena in the universe. The rains, for example, are the result of very complex action between the ocean and the sun. A harmonious and universal process makes rainfall possible.
The exchange between man and the tree also serves as an example of such harmony. Man inhales oxygen and exhales carbon dioxide. Contrary to this, the tree inhales carbon dioxide and exhales oxygen. This exchange is an extremely complex harmonious process that insures the life of both man and the tree.
Such miraculous phenomena speak without any doubt of there being a central management behind the universe. There is, indeed, a super manager, and this super manager is none other than God Almighty.
The Right Proportion
Studies also show that everything in the universe is in the right proportion. The universe is a unique industry. All the products of the universe are produced at the standard of zero-defect.
Look at the tree. Its present shape is the final model. Any other model of a tree would be unthinkable. Let us look at a man or a woman. Both are “final models.” No artist could produce any better model for a man or a woman.
There are countless things in our world created by God. But everything in nature is so perfectly created that everything is a “final model”. But if you look at motor cars manufactured by humans, you will find that very many improvements have been made from the time the first motor car was assembled. And this process of development is still continuing.
Studies also show that everything in nature is in perfect order. Take, for example, the distance between the sun and the earth. The distance between the sun and the earth is 93,000,000 miles. Compare this with alternatives and you will find that this distance is perfectly according to our needs.
Had this distance been double the present distance, i.e. 180,000,000 miles, then the earth would have become so cold that everything would be frozen. No life on earth would have been possible. And if this distance were half of the present distance, i.e., 50,000,000 miles, the temperature on the surface of the earth would be so hot that everything would be burnt and again life on earth would be rendered impossible.
Now let us take the size of the earth. Had the size of the earth been double the present size, the gravitational pull would have increased to such an extent that it would have badly affected the growth of human beings. Every man and woman would have been reduced to dwarf-like sizes.
If the earth were half of the present size, the gravitational pull of the earth would have decreased dangerously. Then every man and woman would have experienced an unchecked physical growth. Everyone would be as tall as the Qutub Minar. What a terrible world it would be!
But, in the world of nature, everything is perfect from the outset. There is no need for reform or improvement. Everything is a perfect and final model. No change is required in anything. This wonderful perfection is a clear proof that there is a perfect Creator behind creation. Otherwise, perfection of such a kind in this world could never have been possible.
Checks and Balances
Studies show that in nature a system of checks and balances is prevalent everywhere. Without this system, our world would have become uninhabitable.
One such example is found in the world of insects. Biological studies tell us that every insect has the potential of unlimited growth. For example, every grasshopper has the potential to grow bigger and bigger until it becomes as big as a camel or an elephant. This is true of every other insect.
According to this, our world should have been filled with insects as large as elephants and camels. Had it been so, there would have been no possibility of mankind living in such a jungle of huge animals and creating a civilization.
How was mankind saved from this horrible fate? It was due to a simple mechanism in nature. The fact is that although the body of an insect has the ability for unlimited growth, its breathing tube does not have any scope for growth. This double system in the body of insects serves as a check against its unlimited growth. The growing body of the insect narrows its breathing tube and this double mechanism in its body serves as a killer for the insects.
There are so many other examples of such checks, and it is these checks that maintain the balance in our world. If this were not so, our earth would have become uninhabitable for mankind. (See Man Does not Stand Alone by Cressy Morrison)
The planet earth is a unique exception in the Universe because of its rare qualities and attributes. All the numerous celestial bodies in the Universe are either huge fiery stars or rocky planets, with the sole exception of the earth, which has life and its accompanying support elements. This exception itself is a proof of God’s existence. Every exception necessarily requires an answer to the question: Who or what is the cause of this exception? Without believing in ‘cause and effect’, you cannot explain why there is an exception. And this unique exception in the case of the earth is proof enough that God exists.
In conclusion, I would like to say that in such a situation the choice we have is not between the universe with God, and the universe without God. This is not an option. The real option is between the universe with God or no universe at all. As we cannot opt for the proposition “the Universe without God” we are compelled to opt for the proposition, “the Universe with God.”
