@chaski Said
The universe neither formed nor was created. The Universe just is, has always been and always will be.
No doubt you will deny this and claim that the universe needs a "beginning". Perhaps you will use "science" in your explanation, which is pretty ironic.
Why would it be ironic to point out the fact that the infinite universe idea does not even reach to the heights of a theory?
Again - the thought experiment.
You and I create two machines. One allows us to stay in a moment of time (a stasis machine). The other allows us to move backwards in time.
We enter both machines and start moving backwards at a rate of 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 years per second, with the rate multiplying by a factor of itself each second. According to your theory we could do that for eternity and be no closer to a time at which time began.
Do I need to point out why that destroys this infinite universe theory?
Probably not, but I will anyway. In order for us to be at a point in time (ie.,
now) time must be quantifiable. If time is not quantifiable we can not be here - it's like trying to fill a bucket with water when the bucket has no bottom. You can put an infinite amount of water in that bucket every second and get no closer to filling it (with the full bucket representing the present moment in time).
I don't even need to invoke scientific reasoning here. However, I will note that the Big Bang theory was only posited to deal with the impossibility of an infinite universe. Do not think for one second that the evidence led the scientific community to a necessary origin. It reluctantly led them away from an infinite universe and left only one option. A naturalistic explanation of origins. Unfortunately though, that explanation is not really scientific - it can't be replicated or tested as it happened outside of time, space and matter and was not caused.
And I'll say again, this does not make them wrong. It just exposes the complete lack of objectivity they are possessed by.
@chaski Said No doubt you will also present some supernatural explanation for the universe not being infinite. This is (also) pretty ironic for someone who believes in an infinite supernatural being that was not created, but rather has always been and always will be.
Actually, you will find the true irony here is how you, Bertrand Russell and a few other people claim that a being can not be supernatural then claim matter can be.