The possibility that God exists and does not exist simultaneously leads us to question not only our religious beliefs but also our understanding of reality itself. Are we prepared to accept a divinity that depends on our perception? Or do we prefer to maintain our certainties in the face of the unknown?
The question of God’s existence has been a central theme in philosophy and theology for centuries, as well as a subject of social debate and confrontation since time immemorial. It is an irresolvable issue that remains within the realm of personal religiosity. To add to this, quantum physics of the last century offers new perspectives for the debate on the possibility of God’s existence and His nature.
As is widely known, quantum physics reveals that, at the subatomic level, particles do not follow defined trajectories as in classical physics. Instead, there is an intrinsic uncertainty in their properties, such as position and momentum, described by Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle. This uncertainty is not just a limitation of our ability to measure reality but a fundamental characteristic of nature. In other words, physical uncertainty is an inherent trait of nature itself.
This uncertainty was explained by the Austrian-Irish physicist Erwin Schrödinger in 1935 through his renowned thought experiment of the cat inside a box. The famous experiment illustrates the superposition of states in quantum physics. According to this metaphor, a cat inside a box can be simultaneously alive and dead until an observation is made. This scenario highlights the indeterminacy of reality in the absence of an observer, such that until the observer (the person perceiving a reality) acts, reality (not only in terms of position or movement) can be in a state of ambivalence. In this way, the act of observing a particle can determine its state. This influence of the observer suggests that reality is not fully defined until it is observed.
If we extrapolate this concept to the question of God’s existence, we could consider that divinity depends on human perception and belief to “collapse” its state of existence or non-existence. This opens the possibility that God could exist in a quantum state of superposition, conditioned by observation and faith.
If we apply these concepts to the existence of God, it is logically possible to consider that God exists and does not exist at the same time, depending on human “observation” or belief.
However, this argument is easily refuted when thinking about the God established by Judeo-Christian tradition. An anthropomorphic God with the capacity for reasoning who creates nature by Himself. A God who made humans in His image and likeness. In no case does it seem reasonable to compare that image of God with a quantum particle, and even less with a “cat.”
Nevertheless, just as the existence of God is a topic of debate, so is His very nature. The reality we observe and live in seems very different from the “authentic” reality that dominates the Universe. In that sense, the traditional idea of God is suspicious of being merely a theoretical construct.
With all this, this analysis only aims to offer a perspective on God based on a mental exercise derived from quantum physics. The possibility that God exists and does not exist simultaneously challenges our traditional conceptions, inviting us to reconsider the relationship between observation, reality, and divinity. Could the concepts of quantum physics be a pathway to a deeper understanding of the divine? Or is it simply another way to twist an irresolvable argument by giving it a veneer of cheap scientism? The answer perhaps lies at the intersection of science, philosophy, and faith.