Re: [asa] Radioactive decay of U-238 is imminent (just wait a few billion years)

On 1/22/09, Murray Hogg <muzhogg@netspace.net.au> wrote:
>
> It strikes me that a scientific example illustrating the notion of immanence
> would be radioactive decay.
>
> To take the most extreme instance, there is nothing inconsistent with the
> observation that for any atom of Uranium-238 the decay to Thorium-234 is
> "imminent" AND with the belief that with a half-life of about 4.5 billion
> years it's probably not worth sitting around waiting for it to happen!
>
Great example, Murray. I shouda thought of that!

Let me expand on it a bit though.

You and I are in a room where there is ONE single atom of U-238 in a
chamber. When it decays, the emission is set to trigger a bomb which
will eleiminate us.

How comfortable are we sitting there? Even with a 4.5 billion year
half-life, I admit to being just a little bit uncomfortable! Even
though the decay is "imminent" the probability is we are in no danger.

I am led by this thinking to suppose that the Return is probably
sooner than later. But that may not be a good theological conclusion.
If it is, than Hal Lindsey has a valid point.

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Received on Fri Jan 23 10:22:20 2009