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The '''Omega Point Theory''' by [[Tulane University]] professor of physics and mathematics Frank J. Tipler is what he maintains is a proof of [[God]]'s existence according to the known laws of physics. The theory is an integral part of the [[Richard Feynman|Feynman]]–Weinberg–DeWitt [[quantum gravity]]/[[Standard Model]] Theory of Everything (TOE) which Tipler also holds is required by the known physical laws.<ref name="Tipler2005"/><ref name="Tipler2007b"/>

The '''Omega Point Theory''' by [[Tulane University]] professor of physics and mathematics Frank J. Tipler is what he maintains is a proof of [[God]]'s existence according to the known laws of physics. The theory is an integral part of the [[Richard Feynman|Feynman]]–Weinberg–DeWitt [[quantum gravity]]/[[Standard Model]] Theory of Everything (TOE) which Tipler also holds is required by the known physical laws.<ref name="Tipler2005"/><ref name="Tipler2007b"/>

The '''Omega Point''' is a term used by Tipler to designate the final cosmological singularity, which he contends is a physically-necessary [[cosmology|cosmological]] state in the far future of the universe. According to his Omega Point Theory, as the universe comes to an end at this singularity in a particular form of the Big Crunch, the computational capacity of the universe (in terms of both its processor speed and memory storage) increases unlimitedly with a hyperbolic growth rate as the radius of the universe goes to zero, allowing an [[infinity|infinite]] number of bits to be processed and stored before the end of [[spacetime]]. Via this supertask, a simulation run on this universal computer can thereby continue [[eternity|forever]] in its own terms (i.e., in "experiential time"), even though the universe lasts only a finite amount of proper time.

The '''Omega Point''' is a term used by Tipler to designate the final cosmological singularity, which he contends is a physically necessary [[cosmology|cosmological]] state in the far future of the universe. According to his Omega Point Theory, as the universe comes to an end at this singularity in a particular form of the Big Crunch, the computational capacity of the universe (in terms of both its processor speed and memory storage) increases unlimitedly with a hyperbolic growth rate as the radius of the universe goes to zero, allowing an [[infinity|infinite]] number of bits to be processed and stored before the end of [[spacetime]]. Via this supertask, a simulation run on this universal computer can thereby continue [[eternity|forever]] in its own terms (i.e., in "experiential time"), even though the universe lasts only a finite amount of proper time.

Tipler states that the known laws of physics require there be intelligent civilizations in existence at the appropriate time in order to force the collapse of the universe and then manipulate its collapse so that the computational capacity of the universe can diverge to infinity. Due to the increasing temperature of the universe during the collapse phase (wherein the temperature diverges to infinity), Tipler says that life will have to transfer its information processes to higher energy states, eventually using elementary particles to directly compute on via traveling [[wave]]s and standing waves.

Tipler states that the known laws of physics require there be intelligent civilizations in existence at the appropriate time in order to force the collapse of the universe and then manipulate its collapse so that the computational capacity of the universe can diverge to infinity. Due to the increasing temperature of the universe during the collapse phase (wherein the temperature diverges to infinity), Tipler says that life will have to transfer its information processes to higher energy states, eventually using elementary particles to directly compute on via traveling [[wave]]s and standing waves.

Tipler identifies this Omega Point final singularity and its state of infinite informational capacity as [[God]]. According to Tipler, this final singularity is actually just a different aspect of the [[Big Bang]] initial singularity, i.e., the [[first cause|uncaused first cause]], a definition of God held by all the [[Abrahamic religion]]s. The implication of this theory for present-day humans is that Tipler maintains this ultimate cosmic computer will be able to run computer emulations which are perfectly accurate down to the [[quantum]] level of every physically-possible universe, and any life contained in them, from the start of the Big Bang (which Tipler states starts at zero informational capacity and diverges to infinite informational capacity as the universe progresses in time, thereby allowing sufficiently later states of the universe to perfectly render earlier states). According to Tipler, from the perspective of the recreated inhabitants, the states near the Omega Point would represent their resurrection in an infinite-duration [[afterlife]], which could take any imaginable form due to its virtual nature.

Tipler identifies this Omega Point final singularity and its state of infinite informational capacity as [[God]]. According to Tipler, this final singularity is actually just a different aspect of the [[Big Bang]] initial singularity, i.e., the [[first cause|uncaused first cause]], a definition of God held by all the [[Abrahamic religion]]s. The implication of this theory for present-day humans is that Tipler maintains this ultimate cosmic computer will be able to run computer emulations which are perfectly accurate down to the [[quantum]] level of every physically possible universe, and any life contained in them, from the start of the Big Bang (which Tipler states starts at zero informational capacity and diverges to infinite informational capacity as the universe progresses in time, thereby allowing sufficiently later states of the universe to perfectly render earlier states). According to Tipler, from the perspective of the recreated inhabitants, the states near the Omega Point would represent their resurrection in an infinite-duration [[afterlife]], which could take any imaginable form due to its virtual nature.

Tipler says that the interstellar colonization phase required for achieving the Omega Point will be accomplished by human consciousness uploaded onto quantum computers in tiny starships that could exponentially explore space, many times faster than biological human beings. Tipler argues that the incredible expense of keeping humans alive in space implies that flesh-and-blood humans will never personally travel to other stars. Instead, highly efficient uploads of human minds and [[artificial intelligence]]s will spread civilization throughout space. According to Tipler, this should likely start before 2100. Small spaceships under heavy acceleration up to relativistic speeds could then reach nearby [[star]]s in less than a decade. In one million years, these intelligent self-replicating spacecraft would have completely colonized the [[Milky Way]] galaxy. In 100 million years, the Virgo Supercluster would be colonized. From that point on, the entire visible universe would be engulfed by these sapient spacecraft as it approaches the point of maximum expansion. Per this cosmological model, the final singularity of the Omega Point itself will be reached between 10¹⁸ and 10¹⁹ years.<ref name="Tipler2005-2">F. J. Tipler, [http://math.tulane.edu/~tipler/theoryofeverything.pdf "The structure of the world from pure numbers"], ''Reports on Progress in Physics'', Vol. 68, No. 4 (April 2005), pp. 897-964, {{doi|10.1088/0034-4885/68/4/R04}}, {{bibcode|2005RPPh...68..897T}}, pp. 915-916. [http://www.webcitation.org/5nx3CxKm0 Mirror link]. Also released as [https://arxiv.org/abs/0704.3276 "Feynman-Weinberg Quantum Gravity and the Extended Standard Model as a Theory of Everything"], {{arxiv|0704.3276}}, April 24, 2007, pp. 28-29.</ref>

Tipler says that the interstellar colonization phase required for achieving the Omega Point will be accomplished by human consciousness uploaded onto quantum computers in tiny starships that could exponentially explore space, many times faster than biological human beings. Tipler argues that the incredible expense of keeping humans alive in space implies that flesh-and-blood humans will never personally travel to other stars. Instead, highly efficient uploads of human minds and [[artificial intelligence]]s will spread civilization throughout space. According to Tipler, this should likely start before 2100. Small spaceships under heavy acceleration up to relativistic speeds could then reach nearby [[star]]s in less than a decade. In one million years, these intelligent self-replicating spacecraft would have completely colonized the [[Milky Way]] galaxy. In 100 million years, the Virgo Supercluster would be colonized. From that point on, the entire visible universe would be engulfed by these sapient spacecraft as it approaches the point of maximum expansion. Per this cosmological model, the final singularity of the Omega Point itself will be reached between 10¹⁸ and 10¹⁹ years.<ref name="Tipler2005-2">F. J. Tipler, [http://math.tulane.edu/~tipler/theoryofeverything.pdf "The structure of the world from pure numbers"], ''Reports on Progress in Physics'', Vol. 68, No. 4 (April 2005), pp. 897-964, {{doi|10.1088/0034-4885/68/4/R04}}, {{bibcode|2005RPPh...68..897T}}, pp. 915-916. [http://www.webcitation.org/5nx3CxKm0 Mirror link]. Also released as [https://arxiv.org/abs/0704.3276 "Feynman-Weinberg Quantum Gravity and the Extended Standard Model as a Theory of Everything"], {{arxiv|0704.3276}}, April 24, 2007, pp. 28-29.</ref>

===The Omega Point and the quantum gravity Theory of Everything===

===The Omega Point and the quantum gravity Theory of Everything===

In his 2005 paper<ref name="Tipler2005"/> in the journal ''Reports on Progress in Physics'', Tipler maintains that the correct [[quantum gravity]] theory has existed since 1962, first discovered by [[Richard Feynman]] in that year,<ref>[[Richard Feynman|Richard P. Feynman]], notes taken by Fernando B. Morinigo and William G. Wagner, edited by Brian Hatfield, [http://www.theory.caltech.edu/~preskill/pubs/preskill-1995-feynman.pdf "Foreword"] by John Preskill and Kip S. Thorne, ''Feynman Lectures on Gravitation'' (Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1995), ISBN 0201627345, {{lccn|95011076}}, {{bibcode|1995flg..book.....F}}. [http://www.webcitation.org/5oCYlZR63 "Foreword" mirror link]; also available [http://www.theory.caltech.edu/people/preskill/feyn_fore2.ps here].</ref> and independently discovered by Steven Weinberg and Bryce DeWitt, among others. But, according to Tipler, because these physicists were looking for equations with a finite number of terms (i.e., [[differential equation]]s with [[Derivative_(calculus)|derivatives]] no higher than second order), they abandoned this qualitatively unique quantum gravity theory since in order for it to be consistent it requires an arbitrarily higher number of terms.<ref name="Tipler2007b3">Frank J. Tipler, ''The Physics of Christianity'' (New York: Doubleday, 2007), ISBN 0385514247, {{lccn|2006039028}}, pp. 34-35. [http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385514248&view=excerpt Chapter I and excerpt from Chapter II]. Chapter I also available [http://www.math.tulane.edu/~tipler/Chapter_1._Introduction.doc here].</ref> "They also did not realize that the correct quantum gravity theory is consistent only if a certain set of boundary conditions are imposed ...", writes Tipler (which includes the initial [[Big Bang]], and the final Omega Point, cosmological singularities).<ref name="Tipler2005"/> Tipler says that the equations for this theory of quantum gravity are term-by-term finite, but the same mechanism that forces each term in the series to be finite also forces the entire series to be infinite (i.e., infinities that would otherwise occur in [[spacetime]], consequently destabilizing it, are transferred to the cosmological singularities, thereby preventing the universe from immediately collapsing into nonexistence<ref name="BarrowTipler1988">On this matter, in addition to Tipler's 2005 ''Reports on Progress in Physics'' paper and his 2007 book, see John D. Barrow and Frank J. Tipler, [http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v331/n6151/abs/331031a0.html "Action principles in nature"], ''Nature'', Vol. 331, No. 6151 (January 7, 1988), pp. 31-34, {{doi|10.1038/331031a0}}, {{bibcode|1988Natur.331...31B}}. Also released as [http://www.gravityresearchfoundation.org/pdf/awarded/1987/barrow_tipler.pdf "The Finite Action Principle; or, Singularities without Singularities"] in the Gravity Research Foundation's 1987 essay competition. [http://www.webcitation.org/5qbVj45bt Mirror link].</ref>). Tipler writes that "It is a fundamental mathematical fact that this [infinite series] is the best that we can do. ... This is somewhat analogous to Liouville's theorem in [[complex analysis]], which says that all analytic functions other than constants have singularities either a finite distance from the origin of coordinates or at infinity."<ref name="Tipler2007b4">Frank J. Tipler, ''The Physics of Christianity'' (New York: Doubleday, 2007), ISBN 0385514247, {{lccn|2006039028}}, pp. 49 and 279. [http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385514248&view=excerpt Chapter I and excerpt from Chapter II]. Chapter I also available [http://www.math.tulane.edu/~tipler/Chapter_1._Introduction.doc here].</ref>

In his 2005 paper<ref name="Tipler2005"/> in the journal ''Reports on Progress in Physics'', Tipler maintains that the correct [[quantum gravity]] theory has existed since 1962, first discovered by [[Richard Feynman]] in that year,<ref>[[Richard Feynman|Richard P. Feynman]], notes taken by Fernando B. Morinigo and William G. Wagner, edited by Brian Hatfield, [http://www.theory.caltech.edu/~preskill/pubs/preskill-1995-feynman.pdf "Foreword"] by John Preskill and Kip S. Thorne, ''Feynman Lectures on Gravitation'' (Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1995), ISBN 0201627345, {{lccn|95011076}}, {{bibcode|1995flg..book.....F}}. [http://www.webcitation.org/5oCYlZR63 "Foreword" mirror link]; also available [http://www.theory.caltech.edu/people/preskill/feyn_fore2.ps here].</ref> and independently discovered by Steven Weinberg and Bryce DeWitt, among others. But, according to Tipler, because these physicists were looking for equations with a finite number of terms (i.e., [[differential equation]]s with [[Derivative (calculus)|derivatives]] no higher than second order), they abandoned this qualitatively unique quantum gravity theory since in order for it to be consistent it requires an arbitrarily higher number of terms.<ref name="Tipler2007b3">Frank J. Tipler, ''The Physics of Christianity'' (New York: Doubleday, 2007), ISBN 0385514247, {{lccn|2006039028}}, pp. 34-35. [http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385514248&view=excerpt Chapter I and excerpt from Chapter II]. Chapter I also available [http://www.math.tulane.edu/~tipler/Chapter_1._Introduction.doc here].</ref> "They also did not realize that the correct quantum gravity theory is consistent only if a certain set of boundary conditions are imposed ...", writes Tipler (which includes the initial [[Big Bang]], and the final Omega Point, cosmological singularities).<ref name="Tipler2005"/> Tipler says that the equations for this theory of quantum gravity are term-by-term finite, but the same mechanism that forces each term in the series to be finite also forces the entire series to be infinite (i.e., infinities that would otherwise occur in [[spacetime]], consequently destabilizing it, are transferred to the cosmological singularities, thereby preventing the universe from immediately collapsing into nonexistence<ref name="BarrowTipler1988">On this matter, in addition to Tipler's 2005 ''Reports on Progress in Physics'' paper and his 2007 book, see John D. Barrow and Frank J. Tipler, [http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v331/n6151/abs/331031a0.html "Action principles in nature"], ''Nature'', Vol. 331, No. 6151 (January 7, 1988), pp. 31-34, {{doi|10.1038/331031a0}}, {{bibcode|1988Natur.331...31B}}. Also released as [http://www.gravityresearchfoundation.org/pdf/awarded/1987/barrow_tipler.pdf "The Finite Action Principle; or, Singularities without Singularities"] in the Gravity Research Foundation's 1987 essay competition. [http://www.webcitation.org/5qbVj45bt Mirror link].</ref>). Tipler writes that "It is a fundamental mathematical fact that this [infinite series] is the best that we can do. ... This is somewhat analogous to Liouville's theorem in [[complex analysis]], which says that all analytic functions other than constants have singularities either a finite distance from the origin of coordinates or at infinity."<ref name="Tipler2007b4">Frank J. Tipler, ''The Physics of Christianity'' (New York: Doubleday, 2007), ISBN 0385514247, {{lccn|2006039028}}, pp. 49 and 279. [http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385514248&view=excerpt Chapter I and excerpt from Chapter II]. Chapter I also available [http://www.math.tulane.edu/~tipler/Chapter_1._Introduction.doc here].</ref>

From the aforesaid ''Reports on Progress in Physics'' paper,<ref name="Tipler2005"/> Tipler elaborates on the mathematics and physics of this issue, in part explained below:

From the aforesaid ''Reports on Progress in Physics'' paper,<ref name="Tipler2005"/> Tipler elaborates on the mathematics and physics of this issue, in part explained below: