Religion and Science
3. The Mechanical Interpretation of the Universe
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scattered over with matter, not in solid form, but in
the form of basic particles — electrons and protons.
At that time matter was static and in perfect
equilibrium. From the mathematical viewpoint, this
balance was such that any disturbance whatsoever,
no matter how slight, was bound to affect it in its
entirety and was also bound to go on increasing. If
we concede the initial disturbance, we can fall in
with the mathematicians’ view that all other
subsequent events are explainable by mathematics.
The theorists liken the disturbance in the ‘cloud’ of
matter to the churning up of a tub of water by a
human hand. But, in the peace and quiet of the
universe,
who
or
what
brought about this
disturbance? Despite the fact that nothing whatever
is known about this, the assumption has gained
ground that such an event did take place, that the
disturbance went on and on increasing, that, as a
result, matter began to collect at isolated points and
that it is these collections of matter which are now
known severally as stars, planets and meteors.
This is one explanation of the universe given by
science. But what a poor, flimsy explanation it is!
Scientists themselves do not feel that it carries any
