Seeking god in nature

Does nature give evidence for the existence of God? Through history, she has been subpoenaed for many moral and spiritual arguments. But perhaps she speaks only for herself, in finest poetry.

The popular media have recently pointed toward an apparent convergence between science and religion. Modern particle physics appears to give credence to New Age explorations of quantum mysticism. Meanwhile, certain aspects of Big Bang cosmology are supposed to indicate the intervention of a supernatural intelligence. Some scientists identify so-called anthropic coincidences, aspects of our universe which make life possible and seem so remarkable that they must have been arranged intentionally.

However, this should not be seen as a widespread movement within the scientific community. As always, some scientists are believers who have interpreted new data as supporting conventional ideas. Their statements are debatable, aren't affirmed by the mainstream, and should not be viewed as a consensus.

On the contrary, as many researchers as ever assert that the universe can be explained without the need for divine intervention. In looking for a supernatural force, one would predict aberrations from natural laws. But despite the evidence we might hope to find, the net balance of energy in the cosmos appears to be near zero. Scientists have yet to detect any input at the point of origin or anywhere else. There is no clear fingerprint of God. The Big Bang was entirely within the realm of natural possibility. Life on Earth is a marvellous cosmic circumstance—a rarity perhaps, and fortunate from our perspective—but in such a vast sea of possibility, rarities occur.

One writer who has devoted much of his life work to balanced skepticism is Victor J. Stenger, professor emeritus of physics and astronomy at University of Hawaii. The sample writings on his website do not attempt to disprove the existence of God, but simply to refute unfounded claims.

On the other extreme are those who insist that God does not exist. The difficulty with metaphysical naturalism, the view that nature is a closed system with no need of explanation, is that it offers what many people will view as a sterile existence devoid of spirit. Faith has given many of us a purpose for living, a structure for compassionate society, and strength to face life's trials.

We turn to nature to nurture this faith. Many of us have had our most meaningful spiritual experiences in relationship to the environment. Beauty provokes us to transcend our mundane concerns, shortcomings and conflicts. We have heard the voice of God in our woods and waterways, in bird song or the remarkable delicacy of a flower. We will not readily abandon the idea of a higher power, or ascribe all this complexity to the whim of chaos.

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