- Can you explain the creation of life?
First off, I am an atheist, not a scientist. Secondly, science does have many theories about how life may have come to be on this planet, many of which are adequate to my needs. Thirdly, we can never truly know how it all began, because we were not there. It is perfectly all right to say, "I don't know" rather than to make up an answer that sounds good.
- Can you explain the existence of the universe?
Currently the Big Bang theory is quite popular, along with several side-issues which have yet to have been resolved. However, we can never truly know, since none of us were present at the time. "I don't know" is a scientifically acceptable answer. Sometimes we simply cannot know all the answers.
- Can you explain the complexity of life?
Science has shown through the study of evolution how life can become more and more complex. This does not mean that all life was this complex to start with. Rather, it grew more complex over time, in fits and starts, and with failed experiments.
- Can you explain how so many people have religious experiences, see angels, that sort of thing?
People see a lot of things. Some see angels. Some see aliens. Some see Bigfoot. Maybe they really saw something, maybe they did not. I myself will wait for concrete evidence of beings that visit us before accepting the concepts.
- Can you explain the concept of good and evil? Why does only the human animal have this capability?
It's important to remember that right and wrong are cultural beliefs, and change from human group to human group. That aside, morality is a societal outgrowth of human sentience and group living. Our sentience (which no other animal shares in the same manner) is our awareness of self, and of others. As gregarious animals, we must use this awareness to live in groups. Morality is a natural outgrowth of that. Without it, our societal groupings would be unable to survive, and so would we.
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