Quote from CaptainObvious:
I don't assign absolute certainty to anything in regard to this subject. My belief, based on known facts and observation, is that everything in this universe has a beginning and a cause.
But everything in the universe categorically doesn't have a beginning and a cause in the way you explain those things.. Your beliefs then appear to be based on selected known facts which you personally choose.
Quote from CaptainObvious:
While we may not be able to provide factual proof or explanation for all events, does not mean that these events do not have a beginning or a cause. My beliefs are always subject to change based on new facts presenting themselves.
New facts present themselves continually. Especially in the last 10 years. There are even things explained in science, in cosmology, in physics that describe how something comes from nothing.
They are not opinions, like your "everything has a beginning and a cause" is opinion. If you base your beliefs on known facts and observations you will know that much too.
Quote from CaptainObvious:
Opinions are not facts and until someone presents evidence that a Creator exists, or does not exist, I'll hold to my opinion that a Creator must exist based on currently known facts and observation.
Current known facts and observations show scientifically that something comes from nothing. Denying it is fact won't change that fact.
According to what you say about your belief, it is based on known facts and observation. Well actually... it isn't,.... Is it! It's based on an unfounded belief there has to be a Creator when there does not have to be.
Quote from CaptainObvious:
I have no proof either way, and neither does anyone else. You are entitled to your opinion as well, and I can and do respect your opinion. It would be nice if the resident atheists took a similar position, rather than claiming the intellectual high ground while insulting the beliefs of others, all the while providing no proof of their own. Opinions abound!
Whilst the universe is mysterious, not everything about the universe is a mystery.
Finding out about facts, observations and something from nothing scientifically, is only insulting religious beliefs as far as a theist is concerned. Until they have to eventually accept those "insults" as scientific fact, in the same way they have inevitably had to accept previous countless "insults".
If you're hanging your Creator on the coat-hook of "everything has to have a first cause beginning ", you'd might want to be ready to find another way to pick up whatever you previously held as belief off the floor.
Quote from CaptainObvious:
I don't assign absolute certainty to anything in regard to this subject. My belief, based on known facts and observation, is that everything in this universe has a beginning and a cause. While we may not be able to provide factual proof or explaination for all events, does not mean that these events do not have a beginning or a cause. My beliefs are always subject to change based on new facts presenting themselves. Opinions are not facts and until someone presents evidence that a Creator exists, or does not exist, I'll hold to my opinion that a Creator must exist based on currently known facts and observation. I have no proof either way, and neither does anyone else. You are entitled to your opinion as well, and I can and do respect your opinion. It would be nice if the resident atheists took a similar position, rather than claiming the intellectual high ground while insulting the beliefs of others, all the while providing no proof of their own. Opinions abound!