Cosmic Cycles and Sacred Narratives: Exploring the Interplay between Modern Cosmology and Religious Creation Stories
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Abstract
This study integrates cosmological models with interpretations from religious texts to offer a comprehensive view of the universe's expansion and contraction. Using the Friedmann equations, we model the universe's evolution under three curvature conditions: open (k = -1), flat (k = 0), and closed (k = 1). The analysis reveals an accelerated expansion consistent with modern observations, supporting a continuously growing universe, particularly in the case of flat and open models. Additionally, religious texts from Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, and Judaism are explored for symbolic parallels to these cosmological ideas. Verses such as Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:47), which describes the heavens' expansion, are linked to the Big Bang theory. Genesis 1:3 (“Let there be light”) is metaphorically tied to the universe’s origin, while the cyclical creation and destruction in Bhagavad Gita (9:7) mirrors the closed universe model’s expansion-contraction dynamics. This interdisciplinary approach highlights the compatibility between ancient religious beliefs and modern cosmological theories, emphasizing creation and the potential for renewal or destruction. The study fosters a dialogue between science and spirituality, offering deeper insights into the universe's past, present, and future. Though current data favors an expanding universe, the philosophical implications of a possible contraction, supported by religious symbolism, remain a compelling theoretical possibility. This empirical analysis and theological perspectives bridge the gap between faith and science, encouraging further exploration of these interconnected views.
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