I understand space to mean that which allows all matter to exist within it. For example, imagine the room you're currently sitting in with the space removed. Matter can't exist without it, but matter is pretty all space itself. The Universe is either infinite or it's not, and trying to get a grip on both concepts does my puny brain in, but it's fun trying anyway hey. But just assuming for a moment that the universe is infinite, that would mean that nothing could exist outside it, including your God, because infinity is all that is. But then we have the multiverse theory. Would that mean that we have multiple infinities too, multiple all that is'sor would they be part of an all encompassing infinity?
I don't see the need to separate God from all that is. Everyone can experience the divine in nature and themselves, be it a simple flower, a tree, the innocent laughter of a child, or the space within. I sometimes like to imagine myself as something like a single cell in the body of a giant. I kind of like the description of God as being all that is rather than something apart.
I heard the philosopher Alan Watts once describe time as a human construct, saying that there is no time in the emptiness of space, only rhythms.
Cheers
Dude, You and I need to sit down one day and share a joint. We would have a good long talk about things. LOL! That being said, I agree with you on your second point. I personally see God all around us. I look up at the billions of stars in the night sky and see God. I look at the complexities of the human body and see God. I see God in the mathematical nature of the universe. I see God in what some people call a moral code or standard of conduct that we all hold each other accountable to. I've always thought this way. I can't imagine looking up at the sky and truly believing that this is all just random coincidence that we are here. A fluke of nature. Trillions and trillions of random genetic mutations all happening at the right time in history to end up with beings like us who can contemplate their meaning? That is much harder for me to believe. Either we were created by an unknowing, unthinking universe or we were created by God. We didn't just pop into existence, either way we were created.
I will address your first point with a classic metaphor. I know its cliche, but imagine a fish bowl. The water represents space and time, and the fish represent matter. From the fishes perspective, your point is completely logical. Fish (matter) can only exist in space (water). Therefore, fish (matter) cannot exist outside of the fishbowl. If the fish bowl was large enough, the fish might wonder if the water (space) is infinite. It makes sense from the fishes perspective. But remember, I believe that God exists outside of space and time.
Dark Energy and Dark Matter. What the hell are they? These are just words to describe concepts that scientist know exist but have no clue about their true nature. Consider also that current string theory can't be right without the existence of 10 spacial dimensions. The three that we can perceive are pretty damn real to me. If their are 7 other dimensions that we are not even aware of and cannot see, I think it's safe to say that we as human beings don't know shit and the existence of God is just as viable a theory as any. In fact I would argue that if one looks at all the available data, one might have to admit that the evidence for a God is pretty strong.
