Non-Local Universe and God
The Implications of a Non-Local Universe
Recently, it’s been shown that we do not live in a local universe. What does that mean? Let me attempt to explain:
Local Universe
A local universe operates under the idea that everything is influenced only by its immediate surroundings. Imagine you have a set of dominoes lined up. When you push one domino, it falls and hits the next one, causing a chain reaction. Each domino only affects the one next to it. This is how we typically understand cause and effect in our everyday experiences. In a local universe:
Influence is Nearby: Events and objects can only affect others that are close to them.
Information Transfer is Limited: Information or effects can't travel faster than the speed of light.
Non-Local Universe
A non-local universe, on the other hand, suggests that objects can influence each other instantaneously, regardless of the distance between them. Think of it like having two magic dice. No matter how far apart they are, if you roll one and it lands on six, the other one instantly shows six as well, without any visible connection or delay. In a non-local universe:
Instantaneous Influence: Objects can affect each other instantly, even if they are light-years apart.
Quantum Entanglement: This phenomenon in quantum mechanics where particles become linked and the state of one instantly determines the state of another, regardless of the distance.
Why This Matters
Understanding whether the universe is local or non-local helps us grasp how fundamental processes work. In a local universe, everything makes sense with classical physics and our everyday intuition. In a non-local universe, as suggested by quantum mechanics, reality is much stranger, with entangled particles affecting each other instantly, defying our usual concepts of space and time.
Examples in Quantum Mechanics
Local: If you turn on a light switch in your room, the light turns on because the electricity flows through wires directly to the bulb.
Non-Local: If two particles are entangled, changing the state of one particle instantly changes the state of the other, no matter how far apart they are, as if they are communicating faster than the speed of light.
This non-local behavior has been confirmed by various experiments, suggesting that the universe operates on principles that go beyond our everyday experiences and classical physics.
2015 Loophole-Free Bell Tests
In 2015, three separate research teams conducted experiments that addressed and closed the major loopholes that had existed in previous tests. These experiments were designed to test Bell's inequalities without any of the usual caveats that might cast doubt on the results. Here are some details:
Dutch Team (Delft University of Technology):
Experiment: This experiment used entangled electrons in diamond.
Result: The results strongly violated Bell's inequalities, supporting the non-locality of quantum mechanics.
Significance: It was one of the first experiments to close both the "detection loophole" (ensuring that enough particles are detected to make the statistics reliable) and the "locality loophole" (ensuring that the choice of measurement settings and the detection of particles are space-like separated, preventing any communication between them).
Austrian Team (Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology):
Experiment: This team used entangled photons.
Result: Their results also violated Bell's inequalities, consistent with non-local quantum entanglement.
Significance: They ensured high-efficiency detection and maintained space-like separation between entangled particles.
U.S. Team (National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST):
Experiment: They used pairs of entangled photons and sophisticated random number generators to select measurement settings.
Result: The experiment confirmed the violation of Bell's inequalities.
Significance: This experiment further solidified the evidence for quantum non-locality by ensuring that no hidden variables could explain the results.
Summary of Findings
These experiments collectively provided strong evidence that the universe operates on non-local principles, where entangled particles can affect each other instantaneously over any distance. The results were consistent with the predictions of quantum mechanics and violated Bell's inequalities, ruling out local hidden variable theories.
Implications
The successful closure of these loopholes means that the experimental evidence for quantum non-locality is more robust than ever. These experiments demonstrate that the behavior of entangled particles cannot be explained by any local theory where information or influence is limited to traveling at or below the speed of light. This supports the idea that the universe is fundamentally non-local, a cornerstone of modern quantum physics.
Why Does This Matter Theologically?
For starters, the aspects of God’s nature may be more reflected in the actual nature of our universe than we previously thought.
Omnipresence of God
Quantum non-locality suggests that particles can influence each other instantaneously across vast distances. This can be seen as a reflection of the theological concept of God's omnipresence — the idea that God is present everywhere at all times. Just as entangled particles remain connected regardless of distance, this scientific concept can metaphorically support the belief that God is present and active in all parts of the universe simultaneously. This actually supports my theory of Dark Matter/Energy — and the lack of other dimensions.
Omniscience and Interconnectedness
The instantaneous connection between entangled particles can be likened to the omniscience of God — knowing all things instantly. This interconnectedness might reflect a divine attribute, where God knows and sustains the universe in a way that transcends physical limitations. This can strengthen the belief in a God who is intimately involved with and aware of every aspect of creation.
Transcending Space and Time
Quantum mechanics challenges our traditional understanding of space and time, which can parallel theological assertions that God exists outside of and transcends these dimensions. This aligns with scriptural references to God being eternal and not bound by the physical constraints of the universe, reinforcing the idea of God's transcendence and immanence.
Miracles and Divine Intervention
The concept of a non-local universe can offer a framework for understanding miracles and divine intervention. If the universe at its most fundamental level operates on principles that defy classical physics, this can provide a conceptual basis for the possibility of miraculous events that surpass natural laws. This does not diminish the rationality of faith but rather integrates it with the mysterious and awe-inspiring aspects of the universe.
Divine Immanence
The idea that particles can influence each other regardless of distance can reflect God's immanence — the belief that God is inherently present within the created order. This supports the notion that God is not distant or detached but actively involved in the unfolding of the universe, aligning with scriptures that emphasize God's closeness to creation and humanity.
What are your thoughts? Comment below!
How do you see this in the light of apophatic mystical theology?
For me, the incomprehensible in quantum, particularly when considering relativity, says more about God than the reflections of God's nature, valid as they are.