The
God in the God Particle: Religious Implications of the Recent Scientific
Discovery
“True Science to an ever-increasing degree discovers
God as though God were waiting behind
each door opened by Science” - Pope Pius XXII
Introduction
Down through the centuries, Science
is concerned with the structures and properties of the building blocks of the
Universe. The great discovery of this century- the existence of Higgs Boson is
revealing the hidden power of the particle which in turn paves the way to know
the Ultimate. Though we cannot see the God particle with our naked eye, we can
see the effect. We are unable to see the Creator physically but we experience
His presence. From religious perspective we know that everything and every one are
totally dependent on God at all times. Faith is the believers jump on board
with God and participate in countless wonderful things. Indeed I believe, the
religious implication of this great discovery is that it deepens the faith of
the believer in the power of the Almighty.
Based on the reading, reflection and in the light of the seminars I
attended on God Particle, I travel around the concept of ‘God in God Particle
and the Religious Implication of this Discovery. For this, I mainly focus on
the articles written on God Particle by various eminent persons, its scientific
aspects and the spiritual aspects based on different scriptures in various
religions. Also I acknowledge that I have depended on other
sources such as Books, different web sites and information and views from
different experts to supplement this task. It is quite interesting to know
about this recent discovery and is inviting us to reflect on its religious
implication.
1. Scientific Aspects of the God
Particle
The
God particle is the nick name of a subatomic particle called Higgs boson, which
is said to be responsible for giving mass to the matter.
1.1 Definition
Higgs
Boson particle can be defined as it is a hypothetical, massive subatomic
particle with zero electric charge. The Higgs boson is postulated to interact
with other particles in such a way as to impart mass to them. It is predicted
by the standard model. The Higgs boson is named after its discoverer,
British theoretical physicist Peter Ware Higgs.[1]
1.2 History
The God particle- Higgs
boson is a history of particle Physics that began in about 600 B.C. as
Philosopher Thales asked himself whether all the varied objects in the universe
could be traced back to a single, basic substance and a simple overarching
principle[2].
This history of the search for this mystery continued over the centuries.
‘Where there is smoke, there is fire; where there is effect, there must be
cause.’ The same logic is applied to the search for the Higgs boson. According
to standard Model, there has to be some field that gives particles their
particular masses. With that there has to be a corresponding particle, made by
creating waves in the field, and this is the Higgs boson, the so called God
particle. Finally on 4th July 2012, Higgs Particle was found near the
energies scientists expected to find it[3].
1.3
How the God Particle was Found
Scientists
fired protons inside the Large Hadron Collider, travelling in opposite
direction. Magnets accelerate the protons into almost the speed of light.
Quarks inside the protons collide with enough energy to create the Higgs boson.
Evidence for the possible Higgs was found in the streaks left in LHC detectors.
1.4 How Higgs Boson Got the Name
–‘God particle’
The “God Particle” nickname actually arose when the
book - ‘The God Particle: If the Universe Is the Answer, What Is the
Question?’ By Leon Lederman was published in 1993. Higgs
Boson Particle is so central to the state of physics today, and so crucial to
our final understanding of the structure of matter, yet so elusive So, Lederman
wanted to call it as ‘Goddamn particle’ but the publisher did not allow him to
call it as the Goddamn Particle, though that might be a more appropriate title,
given its villainous nature and suggested the nick name ‘God Particle.’ In fact, there isn’t really any religious
intention behind the nickname. Bosons belong to a family of particles named
after the Indian physicist Satyendra Nath Bose.
1.5
Significance of the God Particle
Higgs Boson-the God particle is the building block of the Universe. British
Scientist Peter Higgs had predicted the Higgs Boson in 1964. If God particle
does not exist, everything would behave as light does, floating freely and not
combining with anything else. There would be no atoms, made from
conglomerations of protons, neutrons and electrons, no ordinary matter, and no human
beings.
2.
Religious
Implication and Relevance of Seeing God in God Particle - Different Perspectives
As with any scientific discovery, God’s amazing
creation becomes more and more impressive as we learn more about it. In fact,
since God Particle takes us to some of the more fundamental aspects of reality,
we are truly encountering the Reality at a deeper level. Every new scientific
discovery is to be viewed analogically as a new kairos in a new scientific epiphany. Accordingly, a meaningful
search for the Ultimate truth and the fundamental quest for meanings would necessitate
a constructive synthesis of Science and Religion.
2.1
Christian Perspective on God Particle
Though
Church is blamed for not accepting the scientific discoveries for centuries,
now, Christian Perspective on Science & Technology has changed a lot. Calling
to mind the teaching of the first Vatican Council, in Gaudium et spes, the Second Vatican Council document addresses a pressing invitation to distinguish the orders
of knowledge and clarify the employment of different methods of research in the
respective fields of competence[4]. It
is a reconfirmation, enriched with the experience of almost a century, stated
by the First Vatican Council, and even today to certain extent Church supports
and promotes the scientific discoveries. As we discuss the Christian
perspective on God particle, now I would like to focus on the remark of
Vatican. A Vatican astronomer, American Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmango
mentioned that:
The
mysteries revealed by modern science are a constant reminder that reality is
bigger than our day-to-day lives. But while particle physics can seem
unimaginably remote, anyone can see the stars and be moved to contemplation. As
Pope Pius XI said in 1935, dedicating our telescopes on the roof of the papal
summer palace, “from no part of creation does there arise a more eloquent or
stronger invitation to prayer and to adoration.”One aspect of that
contemplation is to recognize both how limited our human understanding is, and
yet how privileged we are to be able to learn as much as we have. One
astonishing thing about the universe is that it can be, at least in part,
understood. It follows laws that we can deduce, laws which are rational but
also elegant and beautiful. In them we find expressed the personality of the
one who fashioned those laws.[5]
2.1.1
From Holy Bible
I
see the whole endeavour of this discovery as one way, in the words of Ecclesiastes,
“Seek and search out by wisdom
concerning all things that are under Heaven” –Eccl.1:13a Yes, this verse
is inviting and promoting us to search for the hidden mysteries of nature.
Every thing is created by God. It is the human being who comes to know about
great mysteries of this nature at the last. If we have the humility to observe
and listen to the creatures of this world, they may help us to discover many
more particles which will surely reveal the glory of God. This is what we see
in the book of Job."But ask the
animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell
you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea
inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done
this? In his hand are the life of every creature and the breath of all
mankind." - Job.12:8-9
2.2
God Particle –From the View of Hinduism
Om
is the word with which almost all Hindu Mantras and prayers begin with. Om has
been described in various Hindu religious texts like the Upanishads and the
Vedas, and also by most religious sects within Hinduism and its offshoots. However
the true power and origin of Om still remains a mystery to most people. Om can
be considered as an elusive God particle. Om is that minute particle from which
all of creation emerged. It is this God particle which imparts mass to all. It
is thus in the scientific sense as well, both Om and God particle are
intertwined from the beginning of the Universe. Om is the real name of what
science calls the God particle.[6] Now
the question arises how to discover the God particle or Om. Om can certainly be
found not through the Large Hadron Collider, but through absolute silence. It
is only when there is an absolute silence one comes face to face with reality.
It is in this state that one becomes one with the God particle. Atman is within
the atman. Each discovery is a journey from atman to Atman, so as the discovery
of God particle.
2.2.1
From Bhagavad Gita
If
we make an effort to have a glance through Bhagavad Gita, in Chapter 11, "Vishwa Roopa
Darshanam" which says about the universal energy being the energy source
behind the universe. It also says that the universe will be created again and
again from that energy, a process without a beginning or an end.
I think, it is indirectly pointing out the significance of God particle. Here
I make an effort to bring out some quotes from the Bhagavad Gita that can help
us understand the nature of God who is present every where and every thing
including the God Particle.
“But of what avail to thee is the knowledge of
all these details, O Arjuna? I exist, supporting this whole world by one part
of Myself.” (Gita.10:42)
“
Know Me, O Arjuna, as the eternal seed of all beings; I am the intelligence of
the intelligent; the splendour of the splendid objects am I!” (Gita.7:10)
“Whosoever
meditates on the Omniscient, the Ancient, the ruler (of the whole world),
minuter than an atom, the supporter of all, of inconceivable form, effulgent
like the sun and beyond the darkness of ignorance” (Gita.8:9)
We
know the properties of the Higgs boson remain elusive. The Standard Model attempts
to describe and explain these fundamental particles from every visible thing in
the universe. If and only if conclusively identified, all forms of matter would
be explained as forms of energy, bereft of mass. These lines quoted above from
the Bhagavad Gita are perhaps a simplified description of the God particle as
understood today.
2.3
From the perspective of Islam
The
development of science and technology is the result of stage by stage release
of knowledge by God similar to the evolution of the religion, Islam. If the
religion is to instruct human being about God’s interest, science is to teach
the secrets of nature for benefiting them the innumerable resources God had
created for them as well as to convince the humanity of the power and ability
of the Creator. As we compare religion and science, it is true to say that both
are approaching the ‘peak’ in this Twenty first century.[7] So
obviously I would like point out that the recent discovery of God particle has
a great significance in this religious context.
2.3.1
From Quran
“It
is He Who taught man that which he did not know” (Quran 96:5)
Though
the whole scientific world is making merry over the discovery of God Particle,
we should remember that our knowledge of the mechanisms of natural phenomena is
far from complete and satisfactory. The more we explore and investigate, the
greater the depth it opens. Each discovery reminds us that the knowledge that
is revealed to us is only to the extent God wants Him to know. It is God who
gives us the new knowledge through the scientists at certain pre-determined
times set by Him. That is why, even though the God particle was predicted by
Peter Higgs in 1944, it took more than six decades to see the evidence of it.
In the book ‘The Divine Expert System’, P.A.Wahid clearly mentioned about the
two possibilities of transmission of knowledge from the divine source to the
humanity. The first possibility is that the information may be carried as a bit
in the individual by birth. At a predetermined time, the information will be
retrieved by the individual during thought process. Another possibility is that
the information may be given to the individual directly from the divine source.
And we term them as intuition. Therefore, what prophet is to Religion,
scientist is to science.[8]
Therefore all the discoveries are to be attributed only to Almighty God and so
what else to say about this recent discovery-the God particle. It is simply
reveals the kindness and love of God to the humanity. The Quran explicitly speaks this truth through different verses such as.
“…Nor shall they obtain aught from His knowledge except as He wills…”
(Quran 2:255)
“For every Message, there is a pre-destined time…” (Quran 6:67)
The acquiring of knowledge about the secrets of
nature through evolution of science and technology will continue at a slower or
faster pace in accordance with the Divine Will at right time.
3.
Spiritual Aspects of the God
particle*
Human quest to unravel the mysteries take us
to Him the Almighty and the Creator of this world. Though this recent discovery agree or disagree with the
concept of God, I believe that this particle also reveals the glory of God.
If God particle was not there, every thing
would have behaved just as light. As it imparts mass to the matter when it
comes into contact with it, we receive power when we come in contact with God.
I would like to say; metaphorically it is connected to God. In all creation God
himself is present. His existence is immeasurable. We cannot find God anywhere
else other than in his existence, and we cannot separate them.[9]
In the book of Genesis.1:31, we read “God
saw everything that He has made, and indeed, it was very good” …. Yes surely it
includes the God particle. It is created and sustained by God. If one believes
in Creator God, one cannot say that the creation has nothing to do with God.
From a believer’s perspective God particle has everything to do with God. With
out God, this particle cannot exist. I believe that God is the total
explanation for God particle. For a believer, the God particle reflects God and
enables one to relate to God in a deeper way. Faith is related to both vertical
and horizontal relationship. Every thing that is in this universe helps us to
relate to God. In that sense, God particle is a powerful image to relate with
God.
Conclusion
As
a believer, I hope that this discovery may allow us to catch a glimpse of God
or the Ultimate Source of creation. I would like to believe that there is in
deed a trace of God in God particle. I
believe that there is a common force for everything that exists. Electricity,
Magnetism, Sun light, Radio waves and X rays- are all manifestations of the
same force. In this, discovery of the
God particle does indeed give us a glimpse of God at work. God particle may
help us to understand the grandiose plan with which our world had been created,
the unfathomable mystery still surrounding the universe is a proof that God is
present in all of them, whether we believe it or not. Though the name ‘God
Particle’ has nothing to do with God, still, we can say that through this
discovery of God Particle (Higgs Boson), we are truly encountering reality at a
deeper level. We experience God not only in God particle but also in each and
every particle of this universe.
Bibliography
Bhagavad
Gita
Holy
Bible
Lederman, Leon M. God
Particle: If Universe is the Answer, What is the question? . USA: Hughton
Mifflin Company, 2006.
Quran
Scientific American
editors, The Higgs Boson: Searching for
the God particle . USA: Scientific American, 2012
Vatican Council II, Gaudium et spes .n.59
Wahid, P.A. The Divine Expert System . Aligarh:
Centre for Studies on Science, 1998.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/guest-voices/post/can-the-god-particle-lead-us-to-god/2012/07/11/gJQA4BaCdW_blog.html
[2] Leon M. Lederman,
God Particle: If Universe is the Answer,
What is the question? (USA: Hughton Mifflin Company, 2006),ix.
[3] Scientific
American editors, The Higgs Boson:
Searching for the God particle. USA: Scientific American, 2012.
[4] Cf.Vatican
Council II, Gaudium et spes .n.59
[7] P.A.Wahid, The Divine Expert System (Aligarh: Centre for Studies on Science, 1998),
115.
[8] P.A.Wahid, The Divine Expert System (Aligarh: Centre for Studies on Science, 1998),
123.
*
The ideas of this session is mainly based on the opinions of different people, unpublished
and published articles of different experts and
the seminars conducted on God Particle in JDV, Pune.
