Did God "Fine Tune" the
Universe?
In the universe, there is an infinite number of ways to
exhibit energy and matter. There are
numerous types of matter, violent and devastating releases of energy, and
infinitely large areas of cold, empty space with nothing but lifeless
void. Yet we exist in an enigmatic
state, which we call life; a complex sentient position that, although we
possess it, still defies any rational explanation.
The more we learn about the universe, matter, atomic forces
and the like, the more we realize that the mere existence of any life
sustaining environs is so remote a possibility that it boggles the
imagination. Long before anyone could
ever get to the debate of Creation and Evolution, there are far more
problematic issues to be addressed from the scientific viewpoint. These issues revolve around the apparent
fine-tuning of the universe for existence of carbon-based life. There are literally dozens of specific and
necessary (and unlikely) conditions that have to be met in the universe just to
have any possibility of life ever being sustainable. Our universe seems to be perfectly in synch for this very
purpose. Just a few examples:
1. Must have the
right atoms: we take the existence of various atoms and elements for
granted. However, most people don't
realize that it takes a very specific nuclear force to account for the
diversity of atoms. If the nuclear
force (the force that governs how well protons and neutrons stick together in
an atom) were any stronger, all of the protons and neutrons would have such
attractive power to each other that the universe would only be filled with
heavy elements. If the nuclear force
were any weaker, no atoms could exist beyond a single hydrogen atom. The nuclear force of each atom is
precariously balanced to allow for both hydrogen, and heavier elements. If nuclear force was either 2% weaker or .3%
stronger, we could not have a universe, as we know it.
2. Besides the
nuclear force in the nucleus of the atom, we find a similar variable when it
comes to the electromagnetic forces governing the function of electrons. The electromagnetic force constant in an
atom in our universe is balanced to allow for the compounding of
molecules. If the electromagnetic force
of an atom were any weaker, atoms would throw of electrons on a regular basis,
making all atoms more massive than boron too unstable for fission. If the electromagnetic force was any
stronger, however, elements would not be subject to sharing electrons with
other elements, which is the necessary basis for compound molecules. For example, we could have Oxygen, and
Hydrogen, but no H2O (water).
3. Just to make even
more improbable to get the rights atomic make-up is the fact that the proper
ratio of all of these particles and constants is also required. According to astrophysicists, in the moments
after the Big Bang, an unfathomable number of protons and neutrons were thrown
from the scene when countless nucleons and anti-nucleons annihilated each
other, releasing tremendous amounts of energy. In the resulting explosion, just
enough nucleons were left over to provide matter suitable for galaxy formation
and stars. Had there been a fraction of
a percent less, there would be no star formation.
There are some thirty or so other examples that demonstrate the incredible improbability of having a universe or solar system capable of sustaining life. Unlike the "Evolution" debate, countless attempts of getting the right combinations through random processes is not applicable. It is a "One Shot" deal, that seems to have "fine-tuned" the universe for us. This is a remarkable evidence for a Divine m