When we look at what leading scientists thought about G-d, we find that they concluded the existence of the Creator thanks to the wisdom which they were exposed to in their scientific research. And not just scientists, but the scientists who pioneered in their particular area of science.
It seems that the greatest scientists of all times and periods reached the conclusion of G-d’s existence, including the fathers of astronomy – Galileo and Copernicus, the father of chemistry – Antoine Lavoisier (as well as Justus Libig), the father of biology – Louis Pasteur, the father of genetics – Gregor Mendel, the father of mathematics – Pythagoras (as well as Blaise Pascal and Henri Poincaré), the father of physics – Isaac Newton, the father of modern physics – Albert Einstein (as well as Max Planck), the father of the technology – James Maxwell, the father of the Renaissance – Leonardo da Vinci, the father of philosophy – Socrates (as well as Plato), the father of logic – Aristotle, the father of modern philosophy – Rene Descartes (as well as Immanuel Kant), and famous philosophers John Locke, George Berkeley, and Gottfried Leibniz (also a mathematician and an important thinker), Soren Kierkegaard – the father of existentialism, Johannes Kepler – a famous astronomer who formulated Kepler's laws, Michael Faraday – a famous physicist and chemist who contributed to the study of electromagnetism and electrochemistry, and many other key figures in the history of science.
We see that the greatest geniuses in the world of science all reached the conclusion that G-d exists, as did the great inventors: Thomas Edison – the inventor of the electric light bulb, Karl Friedrich – the inventor of the car, the Wright brothers – the inventors of the airplane, Frits Zernike – the inventor of the microscope, and Galileo Galilei – the inventor of the first scientific telescope, who we already mentioned.
Is science advancing in the direction of G-d?
As science advances, it discovers more and more intricate planning, which leads to the conclusion of the existence of a Planner. In the past, people thought that the sun revolves around the world, but today we know that the Earth is part of a harmonious sun system with the Earth rotating on its axle, and the moon revolving around it like a satellite. The Earth has magnetic fields, an ozone layer and an atmosphere that allow the existence of life on it. The Earth's delicate axle (23.5 degrees) allows the seasons of the year, while Jupiter attracts asteroids that otherwise would have pummeled the Earth and destroyed life on it. We know about the wonderful features of planet Earth that do not exist on other planets, and that our wondrous universe with its fine-tuned parameters allow our existence.
The more we know about the world, the stronger our conclusion must be that G-d exists. In the past they thought that the universe was static (infinite) but today we know that it had a starting point, which necessitates a Creator. We previously thought a living cell was spontaneously created protoplasm, but now we know that the smallest cell is more complex than the city of New York.
The existence of a Creator is the obvious conclusion from the scientific knowledge we have discovered. The development of microscopes has given us a glimpse into the invisible, imperceptible world. As science has advanced, it reveals more planning and more complexity than ever thought imaginable.
For example, in the past the human brain was assumed to be a swath of fat, and physicians identified it as a kind of heating system that regulates body temperature! Only thanks to the progress of science have we been able to discover the wonders of the brain, in which millions of different neurons operate in genius harmony and coordination to streamline the body’s activities, movement and speech. We see that as science progresses, it only sharpens and obviates the logical conclusion of G-d’s existence in light of the astounding planning.
Does one have to be a scientist to understand that G-d exists?
As we have seen, the greatest scientists in all scientific fields concluded that there is a G-d. But truthfully, one doesn’t have to be an Einstein or a clairvoyant to understand that there is a Creator. Even a child who is looking honestly at the world around us can conclude that there is a Creator. G-d exists irrespective if He created the world over millions of years, or created the animals through the process of evolution – in any case it is self-evident that there is a Creator who created the universe and man with wisdom and precision. There must be a Creator of the world in any situation; it is a necessary imperative from observable science and simple logic.
Consider this: the conclusion that a Creator exists has been around for more than 4,000 years in the world, and sees no signs of wear or tear. The more science develops, the more it reveals more and more complexity in existing structures. This logic is as eternal as human existence. It can not be that science will discover that G-d does not exist, after the astounding complexity that has been observed, just as it is impossible for science to discover that there is no sun after the sun has been observed. To deny Creation, one would have to deny all the scientific knowledge that we possess, all its complexity, and all its findings indicative of extraordinary sublime intelligence. This is impossible if we are to live in reality.
A reasonable person has to conduct his life according to the knowledge that he has. It is a fact that the world is full of planning, it is a fact that the world was created, and therefore the logical conclusion is that the world has a Creator. You also have the history of the Jewish people with the fact of a Divine revelation by G-d. These are the facts, and even if one would like to cast doubt on the facts, we still must stick to the facts and believe in them if we are to be considered rational people.
You ask: what if we're wrong? One can equally ask, what if we're wrong and the world is really flat? What if we're wrong and elves live on the moon? The answer is if we have no reason to doubt our knowledge, then it doesn’t make sense to doubt it. Do you doubt that your parents are your parents because of the technical possibility that maybe you are adopted? Of course not, so why are you questioning the existence of the Creator of the universe, when the facts cry out that there is a Creator?
Likewise, your very ability to draw a conclusion about the existence of a Diety that is beyond material existence, is itself evidence of a divine force inside of you, and shows your importance in the eyes of G-d, who gave you the ability to connect to Him. You can deduce the existence of G-d – because G-d Himself gave you the power to do so.
Does an atheist have plain sense?
Plain sense gives one self-confidence for life, which can not be said about the atheist who denies the existence of G-d. Imagine an atheist coming to the Hereafter, and G-d asks him: “The universe I made was not complex enough for you to deduce my existence? The greatest scientists were considered geniuses for understanding only a particle of My wisdom, and you thought that all My work was the result of blind coincidence? I gave you common sense, so why didn’t you deduce what is self-evident to an plain person? Why did you believe that This World was created by accident, and came out of nothing? Why did you repudiate your own intelligence?”
The atheist obviously will not know what to answer, because all the philosophies and sophistication in the world can never stand up to simple common sense.
I can live with a peaceful and trusting heart, because I know I did the right thing. I was honest with myself and my mind until the end. This inner integrity is what gives self-confidence in any situation. This is what you’re expected to do in This World, to be honest and true to yourself, and take hold of the truth.
Of course, what you hear with your ears doesn’t compare to what you see with your eyes. Therefore, you have to seek a personal, religious experience that will also give you emotional self-confidence. Even after you hear all the studies in the world that exercise is beneficial to health, you will not know how much energy and health it will add to your life until you experience exercise yourself.
The Torah leads you to the truth, but the commandments and prayers bring you close to G-d, and allows you to experience His providence in a personal way.
The Torah begins with logic, but then it continues with the heart: “And know this day and bring it into your heart that the L-rd is G-d” (Deuteronomy 30:39).
Once the Torah’s truth becomes clear to you in your mind, continue and strengthen it with your heart. Strengthen your faith, spend more time in prayers to the Creator, be alone with Him from time to time and talk to Him in your words, fulfill His commandments out of love and without ulterior motive, and of course – read books of Jewish ethics daily. Only in this way will you strengthen your