QUESTIONING GOD'S EXISTENCE

Over the years, I've come to appreciate the fact that you can greatly admire a person without having to agree with everything that person says or does or believes. And that's a good virtue to have, because the moment you start demonizing everyone who holds an opinion you don't, is the moment you become incredibly stupid or incredibly lonely, or both.

Noted British physicist, Stephen Hawking, is releasing a book this week entitled "The Grand Design" in which he reportedly argues that God was not necessary for the creation of the universe. It's not clear from all the pre-release media accounts of the book whether Hawking continues to believe in the existence of God, but even if he does; his premise that God was not the instrument setting off the creation of the universe we know is bound to set off a demonizing wave of public opinion against him. Given the public's habit of overreacting, physicists in general will take a hit too. Both are unfortunate.

Stephen Hawking, one of the most brilliant physicists the world has ever known, has contributed more to the world's understanding of cosmology and quantum physics than anyone, except perhaps Albert Einstein, and yet, I'm afraid that his personal questioning of the existence of God or God's role in creation are likely to overshadow his life's work and achievements in the minds of many. That's sad too.

I admire Stephen Hawking, not only as a brilliant physicist, but as a determined human being who has spent his entire adult life battling a neuro muscular dystrophy, a condition that confines him to a wheelchair and only allows him to speak through a voice synthesizer. Much of the work ordinary physicists do on computers and in laboratories, Hawking does in his head, because his physical ailment has rendered him paralyzed. And yet, in spite of all his physical limitations, Hawking continues unabated in his drive to contribute to the knowledge of mankind. Effort of that caliber is nothing short of remarkable.

I believe in a God that Hawking may or may believe in, but I also support Hawking's right to question the existence of God and to reach a conclusion that might not conform to mine. Whatever his conclusion on that particular question turns out to be, that conclusion does not affect how I chose to view Hawking or his work, because I think belief in God is a matter of faith, and what is faith if there is no questioning?