Tuesday, October 3, 2006, John Mather and George Smoot were awarded the Nobel Prize for physics for what some scientists have heralded as “the greatest discovery of the century, if not of all time.”

They claim to have found the ultimate proof of the Big Bang theory of the universe’s origins by discovering faint variations in microwave radiation that they claim dates back to just 300,000 years after the Big Bang which is believed to have been the source of the universe.

Have you noticed in life that when we set out to prove a certain premise, we tend to find evidence to prove what we have assumed?

It’s that way in science. When we assume that man evolved from a lower form of life, we “discover” missing links. Never mind that when it may later prove to be a hoax, little mention is made. We just keep looking and finding more “evidence.” It’s hard not to believe what we want to believe.

It’s also true in other areas of life. I’ve noticed over the years that when one partner in marriage finds someone who interests them more than their spouse, they begin “looking for evidence” to justify a divorce. It’s not hard to find what you’re looking for. Suddenly, little things become big things. Your spouse can do nothing right. Things that you’ve accepted for years suddenly become unbearable. And we usually can persuade family and friends that we’re being mistreated. We tend to find what we’re looking for. I suspect that every one of us could be “painted as a villain” by our spouses if they decided to do so - regardless of our true character.

Please know that I’m not saying that truth and facts do not exist. But I am saying that real facts are based on truth - not perception… not interpretation. If these “faint variations in microwave radiation” in our universe do exist, then that’s a fact - based on truth. Personally, I have no way of proving that they do or do not exist. But that’s not my point. My point is - if they do exist, does that prove the “Big Bang” theory? Are there other possible explanations?

Maybe the really big question is, “Why are we so determined to disprove the Genesis account of creation?” And why, on September 14, 2006, was 7th grader Maryanne Mangum of Laurel, MD warned by her assistant principal that if she did not cease reading her personal Bible during lunch period, that she would be disciplined?

You say, “That’s quite a leap - from the interpretation of microwave radiation in the universe to a little girl not being allowed to read her Bible in school!” Maybe… maybe not. Maybe there is a common predisposition behind them both.

If God and the teachings of the Bible cramp our lifestyle, we start looking for evidence that will allow us to dismiss Him.

… Ken Stegall