A "God-particle"!?!?

Today I saw an article in WORLD Magazine entitled “Weird Science” (read it online here).  Being a science kind of guy the caught my eye, but the subtitle was even more mysterious – “The ‘God particle’ and the future of physics.”  Since I have just completed particle physics, I read the article with interest (don’t worry, I’m not going to get overly technical here).  The article discussed the so-called Higgs Boson (a boson is a type of particle that is so mind-bogglingly small and light that it is considered to have essentially no weight or size), which is currently purely scientific speculation – no evidence at all whatsoever has ever been observed hinting at the existence of such a particle.  However, a group of scientists believes that it will make the theory of evolution much tidier and so have set out on a $5-10 billion quest to uncover evidence of its existence.  This project is called the Large Hadron Collider.

The trouble is that the Higgs Boson – or “God particle” – if discovered would not really help the theory of evolution at all.  Current quantum mechanical models recognize 16 types of basic particles (6 quarks, 6 leptons and 4 bosons, for you technical folks) but this model causes problems when it comes to explaining the big bang.  The proposed solution is the “God particle” which is believed to be the single basic particle from which all others can be derived after tremendous release of energy (such as the “big bang”).   At first glance this seems to solve the problem – now we can explain how matter could be concentrated in a single point!  However, in reality this only causes other problems.  All they have done is they have taken God trimmed Him down to get rid of the uncomfortable parts (personal responsibility, accountability, authority, etc) and then cast Him as a particle.  Evolution is uncovered and revealed to all for what it truly is, a counterfeit religion.  The Bible tells us, “In the beginning God…” (Gen. 1:1), evolutionists tell us, “In the beginning Matter (a particle)…”  The Bible says death is a punishment for sin (Gen. 2:17), evolution says death is a means of creation.  The Bible tells us that we are created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27) and full of purpose, evolution tells us our lives are meaningless.  And the list goes on.  The discovery of the Higgs Boson may boost the confidence of evolutionists in their own religion, but it certainly does not unequivocally prove it true nor does it in any way recommend it to peoples of other religions.  No, after all the congratulations are over, evolution will be right where it is now firmly entrenched, but religion nonetheless.

Please note that I do not completely oppose the Large Hadron Collider experiments.  I am skeptical of them due to their high price tag but I am just as curious as any Physicist to see if the Higgs Boson does exist.  However, I will view these results through a different worldview than my atheistic evolutionist friends.  I will see a wonderful, almighty Creator who created a marvelously ordered universe for us to explore and discover.  The Bible tells us in Acts 17:27 “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”  I believe the previous passage applies to the study of the natural world, “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16) – all things, even Bosons.

Note to Technical readers: The Higgs Boson is theorized to have a broader impact than simply explaining the big bang (though that is the stated goal – see http://lhc-machine-outreach.web.cern.ch/lhc-machine-outreach/ top of the page).  For example, it is assumed to permeate space-time, to give matter certain properties such as mass, provide insight into higher spacial dimensions and will provide a critical link in the search for a Grand Unification Theory – all of these are exciting scientific ideas if they can be demonstrated.  Furthermore, the massive system that can raise particles to 7 TeV of energy and produce 14 TeV collisions is an engineering feat that, as an engineering student, commands my respect.  I am very interested in the scientific aspect of these ideas, without introducing the religion of evolution.

Currently Reading Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations By Alex Harris, Brett Harris see related

Back on (with more to say than ever)

This book is an absolute must-read for any Christian young person (it is addressed to "teens" but it is just as applicable to me at 22, who is still facing low expectations).  Excellently well written, and at the same time easy to follow, funny but powerful, your worldview will either be challenged or strengthened by reading this book, guaranteed!  Alex and Brett Harris (“teens” by the way) address the problem of the Myth of Adolescence in our culture and the resulting ridiculously low expectations that the culture has for teens (and young twentysomethings, I would add).  They meet the problem head on and challenge young people to challenge these low expectations and reach for God’s best – not just reaching to be better than those around them.  It is filled throughout with examples from their own lives and the lives of their friends, and in it they tell how they started a whole movement at the age of 16 – the Rebelution.  Thank you guys!

When I picked up this book, I was considering closing this column.  I will be starting school at the University of Idaho in late August, and lately school has been demanding more and more of my time.  To compound matters, readership has dwindled and I have been concerned about the heavily social emphasis that Xanga has been pushing.  “I think it’s time to can this,” I told myself.  Then I started reading this book, and Alex and Brett reminded me that when God calls you to do something you he always gives you the ability to it even if it is hard.  God called me over a year ago to start sharing my concerns and opinions about our culture and where it is going.  Until He calls me to stop I will continue, readership doesn’t matter.  As Alex and Brett remind me in their book, sometimes the hard things that God calls us to do fail – but that doesn’t necessarily mean that God failed or that we let God down!  Sometimes we are called to do something because simply doing it is the lesson we need to learn.  God called me to write.  Who reads it is his business.  I am just a tool in his hand, and I will do what he commands.

Finally, check out my new blogring “Still a Rebelutionary...and in my 20s!”  I want to meet other Rebelutionaries who have moved into their 20 (no longer teens, per se).  I still face low expectations right and left, is this your experience?  People express surprise and congratulate you for doing things that seem so small (getting a B in an easy class, not doing drugs/smoking/drinking while away from home in college, maintaining a commitment to purity while on your own, going on a short term missions trip to a nearby state, etc).  Let’s use technology to the glory of God – “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:27 tells us.  Let’s start posting (or continue posting) our scriptural insights into the problems facing our generation.

NOTE: for you non-Xangians, you can comment on this same post at http://www.vistaoflife.site88.net/blog/index.php?topic=2.0.  This is my own independent site (which I may soon be migrating toward) and you don't have to be a member to reply (though you could sign up if you wanted to).

Currently Reading Great Expectations (Barnes & Noble Classics) By Charles Dickens see related

School out!

YEA!!! NO MORE SCHOOL (at least for another week)!!!!  What a relief to finally be done with this quarter.  After my grueling class schedule of Physics II, Engineering II (Mechanics of Materials) and Differential Equations, I am very excited to be out of school - even if it is only for a week.  It had it's enjoyable moments, but after 11 weeks I am exhausted.  I figured I'd better post and let folks know what's up (Xanga sent me e-mail saying they missed me - touching isn't it, except that it was really a "reminder" to post ).

Spring quarter coming up will be Physics III (waves an optics) and Engineering III (Dynamics).  To fill up my schedule so I can be full time, I am taking a Gym class ().  I'm hoping the load will be a bit lighter overall, but that may well turn out to be wishful thinking.  Still not sure which university I will take (SeattleU or UI) but I am going to go visit University of Idaho on April 4th, so we'll see what I'm thinking after that.

Finally, I am deriving tremendous enjoyment and benefit from Men's Fraternity (men's meeting at my church).  It will be over next week but I hope to keep up with my group and perhaps join the same one next year.  There is a lot of good material in there that comes straight from scripture.  It is good to be reminded about what it really means to be a man when one is immersed in the world and their definition of "manhood".

That's all for now, I may be back before the start of next quarter.  Meanwhile, I am re-reading one of my favorite classics in some of my new-found free time (see the top of my post) - it is very refreshing reading.

Currently Listening Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Anakin Vs. Obi-wan see related

Star Wars

Ok, I never was very impressed with Star Wars; thematically it was horrible (very New Age and diametrically opposite to a solid biblical worldview) and that pretty much killed it for me.  It had a dark, oppressive feel from its deep brooding on evil.  But I will give George Lucas this: he hired one of the best score-writers ever.  The Star Wars soundtrack is one of the my all time favorite movie soundtracks – John Williams wrote some amazing music, for example the Star wars theme or “Anakin vs. Obi-wan” (the backdrop to a pretty amazing swordfight and one of the very few scenes possibly worth seeing).  I know my dyed-in-the-wool Star Wars fan friends at this point will be screaming about special effects and graphics and these were stunning.  It was rather interesting to see the fact that anger, bitterness and hatred were becoming so deeply a part of Anakin clearly symbolized in his hardening facial expression over the course of Revenge of the Sith (you can tell pretty well just by looking at his face where you are in the story), and, of course, General Grievous was hysterically funny.  But I have to ask, why not just listen to the soundtrack and call that enough?  That gives you nearly all the benefits (certainly the most notable ones without the significant drawbacks.

Just thought I’d put down some quick thoughts on this issue, that popped to mind as I listened to the awesome soundtrack on the way to school.

It IS a Wonderful Life

For as long as I can remember, it has been family tradition to watch “It’s A Wonderful Life” on New Year’s Eve.  Accordingly, we watched it last night and, as usual I got something new out of it.  For example, the scene where George comes home from the office on Christmas Eve feeling very discouraged.  However, he fails to communicate that to his family and instead treats them badly.  At the end of the scene, when Mary asked him why he was treating them this way, he looked at her, despair on his face, and he said, “Mary…” and left for the bar.  Although, I never went so far as to go a bar, I could feel his pain.  Here he was feeling that the world was against him and now even his own family was turning against him!  This taught me something about my relationships – sometimes when I feel unsupported by my family it’s because I have failed to communicate my problems to them, which makes it difficult for them to show sympathy.  Then, of course, there was the whole point of the movie, that people and relationships are more important than worldly success or wealth (a theme which is good to be reminded of annually).  Yes,God has given us a wonderful life.

Well, I’m off to school again tomorrow – I’ll try to post when I can, but I have another killer schedule.  It’s been a good break and I’m sorry it’s over so soon.  BTW, I changed the music to the song I posted the words to earlier – this version is from the album “Mission: Worship” and is performed by the author/composer Stuart Townend.

A very Happy New Year 2008 to all!