- Everything that begin to exist has a cause
- The universe has a beginning
- Therefore the universe has a cause
That cause has to be outside of matter, energy, time and space. The only thing that fits that description is a mind or an abstract number. Since abstract numbers are never a causal factor, all that is left is a "mind".
There are scientist on both side of the debate. The last novel prize in physic was won by an atheist...the one before was a theist. Somehow, the narrative has turned into that no scientist believe in God. The giants of science were in an overwhelming majority theist. They looked for "Physical Laws" because they expected them from a "Law Giver".
Where did you come up with #1? I see no reason why that is obvious.
Sorry, I had to edit to more precise language: "Everything that begin to exist has a cause".
I have yet to find an example where something can begin to exist without a cause. Can you find one? Also, the opposite is blatantly false: "Everything that begins to exist have no cause".
We also have to consider that there exists an Eternity outside of time.
(Science postulates all sorts of such extra-observational speculation.)
We have no idea whether causality applies in Eternity.
Jesus said, "I AM the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end."
There He goes using that present tense again. :o)
if reality or the physical universe can be broken down to matter, energy, space and time...then whatever was the cause has to be outside of that. Therefore, eternal may be the right term...that's a complete theological phD right there. I think William Lane Craig indeed did his Doctorate on that topic. Very fascinating topic indeed.
The actual opposite of "Everything that begin to exist has a cause" is "Something that begins to exist has no cause".
Also, "a cause" doesn't mean "God". In short, this proves nothing.
Still...can you find an example anywhere of non-causal existence?
In any case, what in the world can be a causal factor that is outside of matter, time, energy and space (aka reality)? As stated above, the only thing we can come up with is a disembodied mind/consciousness. It's the only logical thing we can find that fits the description.
Couple that with the incredible and unlikely fine tuning of the universe and anyone can naturally see that a fine-tuner is the most likely cause of what we call reality. Unless you believe that the symphony of physical harmony and tuning is just the process of time + chance. Which in my opinion, require more faith than most christian could muster.
"can you find an example anywhere of non-causal existence?"
This depends on how "causal" is defined; it's not like there exists a single definition since Aristotle. So no, even if it's impossible to show a thing that exists without a cause as it is understood in modern physics, it doesn't follow that God must have created the world.
"a causal factor that is outside of matter, time, energy and space (aka reality)?"
That's the problem here: we have no idea what (if anything) exists outside of observable reality. Thus we don't know what caused the Big Bang, was it a collapse of another universe, a collision of two other universes, or perhaps "God created the heavens and the earth". But even then, it's just the good ole God of the Gaps.
"Couple that with the incredible and unlikely fine tuning of the universe"
This presumes that the Universe we live in is the only one ever existing, and that it is really fine tuned. But is it? We don't really know again. In fact, for now it appears that we are fine tuned to live in this very unfriendly universe and on this very unfriendly world.