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What is the multi-verse and is it real?

by | Oct 14, 2019 | Questions, Science

The multiverse is a hypothetical set of universes, the same size as ours, that are innumerable, and our universe is just one of them. Therefore, there would be an infinite number of universes in existence beyond our universe and possibly existing in different dimensions. But, there are problems with this view. Nevertheless, let’s take a look at what the multi-verse is supposed to be.

“Imagine, for example, that the cosmos is infinite. Then the part of it that we can see—the visible universe—is just one of an uncountable number of other, same-sized universes that add together to make a multiverse. Another version called the “Many Worlds Interpretation,” comes from quantum mechanics. Here, every time a physical particle, such as an electron, has multiple options, it takes all of them—each in a different, newly spawned universe.”1

Other words used to describe the multi-verse are meta-universe, alternate universes, megaverse, and omniverse.

Fine-tuning of the universemultiverse

One of the reasons for proposing the multi-verse idea is the apparent fine-tuning of the universe. Apparently our universe is constructed in such a way that is just right for life to exist.

“Similarly, our universe seems fine-tuned to be favorable to life, with its Goldilocks expansion rate that’s not too fast or too slow, an electron that’s not too big, a proton that has the exact opposite charge but the same mass as a neutron and a four-dimensional space in which we can live. If the electron or proton were, for example, one percent larger, beings could not be.”2

This fine-tuning issue has challenged scientists for decades. Why is it that life arose here on this planet? Of course, as Christians, we have the answer, but scientists who do not affirm the Christian God, are left to face the idea of the miraculous fine-tuning our universe which enables life to exist here on our planet. So, one such explanation is that if there are an infinite number of universes, then there’s bound to be at least one of those universes where life exists – and we’re in it.

But this would also mean that if there are an infinite number of universes, then there are also an infinite number of worlds where life exists. Of course, it is one thing to propose such a hypothesis; it is quite another to prove it true.

Space-time goes on forever

Another proposal in support of the multi-verse idea is that “if space-time goes on forever, then it must start repeating at some point because there are a finite number of ways particles can be arranged in space and time.”3 But, what is space-time?  In simplistic terms, space-time is…

  • “the union of space and time.”4
  • “It is the idea that space-time emerges from a weird property of the quantum world that means particles and fields, those fundamental constituents of nature, can be connected even if they are at opposite ends of the universe.”5

Initially, in the science of physics, space and time were considered to be distinct and separated. But with the rise of quantum mechanics, as well as some theorizing by Albert Einstein, the concept that space and time are interrelated and in union arose.

Anyway, the idea is that if spacetime goes on forever, then there must be an infinite number of universes. This is a philosophical argument that is based upon analysis by physicists of both space and time. Is it really scientific?

Can the multi-verse theory be tested?

The problem with the idea of multi-verses is that there is no known way to test whether not such universes actually exist. It would seem completely beyond the realm of present physics and testability to be able to develop a method by which we could, so to speak, leave our universe, and discover other universes. But if the universe is everything that exists in our realm, how do we leave it? It would be up to the scientists to develop a method of testing the idea of other universes from within our own.  As far as our present technology goes, this does not appear to be possible.

The multiverse theory would support the truth of Christianity

If there are an infinite number of universes in existence, then that would prove the truth of Christianity. This is because if there were an infinite number of universes, then there must be a universe in which the Christian God is the true and living God. Remember, an infinite number of universes means an infinite number of possibilities – which would require that in at least one of the universes, the Christian God exists. And, since, according to Christianity, God is not limited by space and time, then he would be the true God of all universes.

Furthermore, let’s take an atheist name Bob who exists in our universe. Let’s also propose that in the multi-verse there is a place and time where Bob lives as a dedicated Christian who pastors a large church. Then which Bob is the “true” Bob? Is each one the true nature of “Bob”? Are they both true even though they contradict each other at the same time? But how can that be? How can two truths that are contrary to each other be a reality? After all, it would mean that in this universe Bob denies God in another universe, the same Bob affirms God. Or, is it the case that they are different Bobs and simply to manifestations of the same essence of who Bob is?  But that would infer that there is a concept of that particular Bob that exists in multiple universes. That would imply that there’s something greater, something beyond all the universes where the abstract concept of that particular Bob exists. This, of course, would bring a lot of interesting questions to light and pose problems for the idea of the multiverse theory. Finally, I wonder what would happen if they were to meet? Their discussion would be interesting, to say the least.

Conclusion

So is the multiverse real? Since I’m not a physicist (they disagree with each other on this) and I don’t have infinite knowledge, I cannot definitively say there is or is not a multiverse. But, given the revelation of the Bible where it says God knows all things (1 John 3:20), then I will leave it up to him and his infinite knowledge to reveal whether or not such a set of infinite universes exists. And, as I said above, the multiverse theory would end up supporting Christianity by proposing a universe in which the Christian God truly exists. So, though I don’t see a way to affirm or deny the reality of the multiverses, if they exist, then Christianity is true.

References

References
1, 2 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/can-physicists-ever-prove-multiverse-real-180958813
3 https://www.space.com/18811-multiple-universes-5-theories.html
4 https://www.britannica.com/science/space-time
5 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24332470-500-what-is-space-time-the-true-origins-of-the-fabric-of-reality

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