27 Jan 07
2 edits
My theory is that time travel becomes one compelling reason for the existence of God.
Assuming that at some as yet future time someone develops the machine to time travel. In the instant they do they then go back in time to insure that they alone are in control of the science that will make it all possible.
Its a first past the gate scenario in that whoever discovers it first, becomes the person most able to, accumulate knowledge, influence events, be in control etc. and effectively be able to establish themselves over time, into a position of being a deity.
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28 Jan 07
Originally posted by kmax87This is a common fallacy in thought: inserting the notion of God whenever something seems counterintuitive or too complicated to wrap one's head around.
My theory is that time travel becomes one compelling reason for the existence of God.
Assuming that at some as yet future time someone develops the machine to time travel. In the instant they do they then go back in time to insure that they alone are in control of the science that will make it all possible.
Its a first past the gate scenario in that wh ...[text shortened]... tc. and effectively be able to establish themselves over time, into a position of being a deity.
Actually, Eienstein's theory of special relativity permits time travel into the future, but in a very specific and circumscribed way.
If time travel into the past were possible, we would surely have recieved some visitors from thee future by now! 🙄
28 Jan 07
Originally posted by hoven5thThat was my point actually! When Captain Cook and his men first sailed among the South Sea Islands he and his men were perceived as Gods initially. Various versions contest as to why exactly the islanders thought so, but until they had uncovered their true human nature they were feted as Gods.
This is a common fallacy in thought: inserting the notion of God whenever something seems counterintuitive or too complicated to wrap one's head around.
Given that humanity has been obsessed with dominance over others, why would the first scientist past the post of time travel, not use the device to insure that no-one else achieved it?
Surely the omniscience and omnipresence we attribute to God could be explained by someone who knew how to conquer time. The sorts of anomalies that people find irreconcilable with having a belief in an all powerful loving God (ie; that innocent people suffer, that children die daily of starvation by the thousands) could also be explained in this way.
If it were possible, the first person to transcend the time barrier in either direction would probably be too keenly aware of all the pitfalls of tinkering with time and with that in mind would probably be doubly determined to avoid the technology getting into the 'wrong' hands.
The use of the term God implies a notion of an entity that is beyond our current level of understanding. Thats all God ever implies. Given that an understanding of a process or a person controlling a process may reduce our sense of wonder for a particular achievement, by the same token although having an understanding of how 'God' accomplishes a task may ultimately demystify the deity, it may not necessarily reduce the complexity of the achievement.