The Scale of the Universe and the Existence of a Designer

Can a compelling argument for the existence of gods be made from the universe's design? In my view, the sheer scale and complexity of the cosmos provide a powerful counterpoint to the idea that any local deity could have created such a vast and intricate system. The scope of the known universe is so immense that it challenges even the most compelling theological arguments.

Universe and Solar System Count

Consider the staggering size of the universe. The observable universe is estimated to contain up to two hundred billion galaxies. That is a number so large, it is difficult for the human mind to even conceptualize: 2,000,000,000,000 galaxies. Among these galaxies, our Milky Way is just one, but even it contains an astounding 100,000,000 solar systems. This means the Milky Way alone is home to over a hundred million stars, each potentially hosting a planetary system. The entirety of the universe, however, dwarfs this estimate, with the total number of galaxies potentially reaching one quadrillion, or 1,000,000,000,000,000 galaxies.

Assuming, for argument's sake, that just one in a billion solar systems harbors a planet capable of supporting life, there would be millions, if not billions, of Earth-like planets in our universe. Recent evidence even suggests that there may be hundreds or even thousands of such planets in our own galaxy alone. The notion of a local god creating and tending to this enormity of existence is, quite frankly, overwhelming. The Abrahamic God, for instance, as depicted in Christian beliefs, seems far too small and irrelevant to manage such a universe, let alone oversee concurrent events on innumerable planets.

Abrahamic God and Local Deity

The role of the Abrahamic God, as understood in the context of Christian beliefs, is inherently limited to the scope of a regional deity. Historical and scriptural sources do not provide evidence of a more expansive divine being. Instead, these gods are often portrayed as minor local deities, like household gods in some other religions. The events attributed to divine intervention, such as the drowning of a region in Mesopotamia or supervising minor human activities, suggest a divine being whose influence is confined to a much smaller scale than that of the entire universe.

The lack of evidence or even a mention of such a vast cosmic scale in religious texts and traditions further supports the notion that any god or deity proposed would be inadequate to create and maintain such a complex universe. The scale of the universe simply outstrips the purview of any local deity, rendering such a being too small to comprehend or manage such a monumental creation.

Awe and the Scale of the Cosmos

The sheer magnitude of the universe compels us to question the limits of our knowledge and understanding. It is a reminder of the vastness and complexity of existence. Given the magnitude of the universe, any deity that could create and manage such a scale would need to possess a transcendent and expansive understanding, far beyond the scope of local deities like the Abrahamic God. The necessity for a designer, at least in terms of tangible evidence, diminishes when the scale of the universe is fully considered.

Instead of design arguments supporting the existence of gods, the scale and complexity of the universe challenge the traditional theological narratives. The vastness of the cosmos suggests a universe that may exist in isolation from or without any guiding designer. The complexity and sheer size of the universe present more questions than answers when it comes to the theological constructs that posit gods as the creators of such a vast and intricate system.

Mark Dempsey asked how a compelling argument for God's existence can be made from the universe's design. Based on the scale and complexity of the universe, the answer becomes that such an argument is weakened by the overwhelming evidence of the universe's vastness. The scale of the universe, therefore, does not support the existence of a designer as traditionally understood, but rather challenges it.

References

[1] The Universe Just Got 10 Times More Interesting

[2] Bart J. Bok, The Limits of the Solar System (1946)