Faith In God, Faith In Science

I recently read the book A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking.  I was enthusiastic to get into it; after all, Stephen Hawking is supposed to be one of the finest scientific minds of our day, and modern physics is fascinating stuff.

Well, I was disappointed.

Some of the theory seemed to be based on circular logic.  Having observed forces between matter particles, people search for an explanation as to what creates those forces.  They come up with the idea of force-carrying particles that are emitted by one matter particle and absorbed by another, which would change the velocity of each "just as if there had been a force between" them.  Hawking states that these force-carrying particles "cannot be directly detected by a particle detector.  We know they exist, however, because they do have a measurable effect: they give rise to forces between matter particles."

Really?  It makes me think that I could come up with my own theory for what causes forces between matter particles and use the same justification for believing in them.  Forces are caused by two-headed micro-demons that breath against pairs of matter particles, causing them to move away from each other.  These demons cannot be detected, but we know they exist because they have a measurable effect: the give rise to forces between matter particles.  That idea is facetious, but the logic behind "knowledge" of micro-demons is the same as that used for the "knowledge" of force-carrying particles.

At first the book was a fairly interesting read, but I soon saw that there was little I could do to think through the processes that modern scientists have used to develop their theories.  Hawking basically goes over the ideas they came up with, referring to calculations without showing them.  That's understandable, really; I wouldn't expect to understand in a few minutes or a few pages what very smart and educated people have taken years to develop.  Among the scientific community leading minds can compare notes and evaluate each other's detailed thoughts.  However, as the theories become as far-fetched as anything we read in scripture, what Hawking is telling the average person, through this book, is to accept the theories without seeing how they really work.

What he's asking us to do is to believe without seeing.

Isn't that the essence of faith?

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Alma 32:21 "And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true."

More than 99% of all people who have ever lived have no hope of ever understanding modern physics, but everyone who knows how to read can investigate the scriptures and then turn to God in prayer to have their faith rewarded with knowledge.  Even those who cannot read can hear the word of God preached to them.  Anyone can listen to the Holy Ghost within their hearts.

Last thoughts for now:
I don't reject outright the world's best modern ideas in physics; I'm glad to have the technology we have that is based on those ideas.  It would be wildly interesting to study the best theories in depth and contribute to them.  But if the average person is to accept modern science on faith, is it unfair to ask them to accept the Atonement of Jesus Christ on faith?  Not at all.  Indeed, it is a wonderful thing to invite others to seek and test their faith in God and His Son, and to see that faith rewarded with sure knowledge.