THE EXISTENCE AND DISCOVERY OF GOD

Studies in particle physics and quantum mechanics in the latter half of the 20th century led to the development of the Standard Model of particle physics and the four fundamental forces that describe every interaction in nature. These four forces are: • Gravitational force • Electromagnetic force • Strong nuclear force • Weak nuclear force But the world that was discovered through the scientific study was so harmonious that it was unimaginable that many forces were controlling the universe. Therefore, the scientific mind was not satisfied with this multiplicity. In 1979, physicists Sheldon Glashow (b. 1932), Steven Weinberg (b. 1933), and Abdus Salam (1926-1996) won the Nobel Prize for unifying the electromagnetic force with the weak force to form the Electroweak force. However, the scientific mind was not satisfied even with these three forces. Physicists are working to find a so-called Grand Unified Theory (GUT) that aims to unite the electroweak force with the strong force to define an electronuclear force and then unify gravity with this force to develop a Theory of Everything (TOE)―a theoretical framework that could explain the entire universe. There is speculation that in the very early universe when temperatures were very high, all the forces were unified into a single force and as the temperature dropped, the forces separated in a process called spontaneous symmetry breaking. Current scientific models use two fundamental theoretical frameworks that together most closely resemble a TOE―general relativity and quantum mechanics. In pursuit of a goal to harmoniously integrate these two theories, quantum gravity has become an area of active research. One example and candidate for a TOE is the String Theory developed by many scientists, Stephen Hawking (1942-2018) being one of them. Stephen Hawking’s work has progressed the unification and reconciliation of gravitation and quantum physics into one final Theory of Everything. The String Theory and other such candidates for a Theory of Everything seem to provide a scientific basis for belief in one God (Monotheism). It provides an academic foundation for a religious belief. Now, purely on the basis of science, it can be stated that there is a God of this universe, and that the concept of God is purely a scientific concept, and that this God is one. o