ManusJustus said:
Sadly, the Big Bang is as far as we can see back in time (CBR), so answers to questions like this, if we are ever able to answer them, will be theoretical. So we dont know what caused it, or if anything caused it. The Big Bang could be a natural occuring even in the universe (similar to quantuam fluctuations), it could be the result of an ongoing process in the universe, or it could have no cause whatsoever. Its may be an error to believe that everything has a cause, and any cause-reaction path you takes leads to the universe being created or God being created. |
While the CMB is our most direct observation of the makeup of the very early universe it does not represent the only known method by which we can study it. Additionally the verdict on our ability to find a causal event for the big bang is still very much out and dependent on some of the outstanding work being done towards a ToE.
I think most would agree that the Big Bang is a naturally occurring event, but I don't know how many would buy the idea that it lacks a cause as the argument is presented. There are a few scenarios in which extra-universal events may not adhere to causality but its kind of a tough sell without more specifics. Also, the Big Bang may lack a causal event, but causality is still very much a law of the universe it created (an important point of clarity).
We know many of the laws of physics are dependent, to varying degrees, on the makeup of our universe so any macro-verse will not necessarily be forced to adhere to them exactly as we expect. Causality specifically is an unknown in that regard.
But going back to the original comment by John the point probably wasn't a cosmological one I'm guessing. So the simple answer is that the "well what caused _____" argument is a very poor argument for theists to make because it can easily be turned on them.
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