The interdiscursivity of this statement locates the epistemological issue within the Pyrrhonic interval of contention between science and religion; another opening into the doors of controversy by Joe Rogan. He has been known for espy of opinions previously stated to castigate scientists, and so his words, “I could choose to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ over the actual logic given for the Big Bang Theory.” On the pathway of his nature, Rogan castigated the scientist for expounding on the origin of the universe, for somehow substituting the miraculous for such a rationale with the giving of life through death and resurrection of Christ.
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Everything actually began with Rogan quoting the late Terence McKenna: “The difference between science and religion is that science only asks you to believe in one miracle—the Big Bang.” Following this, he went on to cyber-injure the so-called rational view by pointing out the irony with which people accept the resurrection to be false while simultaneously glibly saying that “everything” “exploded” out of existence from a puny sized singularity. “I’m sticking with Jesus on that one. Jesus makes more sense,” was Rogan’s voice.
As expected, everything exploded into a wildfire of reactions. Some went all-in: “If everything is a theory, then Jesus Christ is the only thing that makes sense of it all.” Then there were those who had blocked out their ears and said, “Imagine mocking a scientific theory, only to replace it with believing in a humanly impossible feat of ‘rising from the dead’ because… an ancient transcript translated across multiple languages over thousands of years said so.”
That was the moment science got all defensive and worse. “Science doesn’t ask you to believe. It proposes theories backed by evidence and experiments you can do to prove it,” said one skeptic. “The Big Bang Theory does not suggest ‘everything was smaller than the head of a pin.’ It suggests that everything started from a singularity of unfathomable density and heat,” said another.
On the other hand, the exceptions were not going to concede the point. Several wondered about the evidentiary basis for the Big Bang, one comment stating, “Big Bang theory completely violates the Entropy law of Thermodynamics.” English-speaking religious activists weighed in on their side, commenting, “Jesus didn’t just explain the universe; He conquered death to save it. He is the miracle.”
This is not a new take for Rogan—his alternative or spiritual view of big mainstream science being the very pattern of his. But the recent comment obviously rekindled the ancient battle between evidence and faith. Thus, whether you are for science or scripture, one thing is for sure: Rogan can really draw a conversation out of anyone.
And, hey, for all we know, it might even be entertaining! Another paparazzi debate on aliens or DMT; we just did a full circle by this, didn’t we? Ahem. Back to resurrection against the Big Bang.
Overall, he showed that there will always be an underlying tension in how humanity tries to grasp the concept of existence. Some need equations and cosmic background radiation. Others, however, find comfort in a story of sacrifice and rebirth. Either way, the universe, or divine intervention, keeps us all guessing.
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Now, the verdict? That really depends on whom you ask. But one thing is certain: this debate is not destined to die any time soon. Just like, well, you know.
