CERN physicists announced recently that the new particle discovered at the CERN laboratory in Geneva last year is looking increasingly like the Higgs boson. Speaking at a conference in the northern Italian town of La Thuile, the physicists said more analysis of the data were required, but that they expected to be able to present their conclusions with more certainty in July. The physicists are examining data collected in a series of experiments conducted in 2011 and 2012 at CERN laboratories in Geneva – the so-called Atlas and CMS experiments. If the new particle turns out to be as British theoretical physicist Peter Higgs predicted in the 1960s, it would "complete the Standard Model of particle physics, or it could be a more exotic particle that would lead us beyond the Standard Model," said a statement on the CERN website. CERN noted that the Standard Model accounts for all visible matter in the universe, but does not account for the 96% of the universe that is invisible to us.
The Higgs boson or Higgs particle is a theoretical elementary particle predicted to exist by the Standard Model of particle physics. Confirmation that the Higgs boson exists would be monumental since it would finally prove the existence of the Higgs field, the Standard Model's explanation of why some fundamental particles have mass when 'naive' theory says they should be massless, and - linked to this - why the weak force has a much shorter range than the electromagnetic force. Its discovery would validate the final unconfirmed part of the Standard Model, guide other theories and discoveries in particle physics, and – as with other fundamental discoveries of the past – potentially over time lead to developments in "new" physics, and new technology.
The Higgs boson is named after Peter Higgs, one of six physicists who, in 1964, proposed the mechanism that suggested such a particle. Although Higgs' name has become ubiquitous in this theory, the resulting electroweak model (the final outcome) involved several researchers between about 1960 and 1972, who each independently developed different parts. In mainstream media the Higgs boson is often referred to as the "God particle," from a 1993 book on the topic; the sobriquet is strongly disliked by many physicists, who regard it as inappropriate sensationalism. While media use of this term may have contributed to wider awareness and interest, many scientists feel the name is inappropriate since it is sensational hyperbole and misleads readers; the particle also has nothing to do with God, leaves open numerous questions in fundamental physics, and does not explain the ultimate origin of the universe. Higgs, an atheist, was reported to be displeased and stated in a 2008 interview that he found it "embarrassing" because it was "the kind of misuse... which I think might offend some people".
Man continues his frantic search to understand the origin of life and spends considerable effort to find its source. As Christians, we believe this is an immense waste of time, energy, and money. David the psalmist, gave an answer to this ancient dilemma: “The heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1). Just look at nature and acknowdge the apparent evidence: it is fictitious to think that all this balance is the result of chance. Rather than focusing on finding the beginning of life we should spend this energy taking care of God’s nature. Then we would undoubtedly strengthen the balance in God’s creation and thereby contributing significantly to alleviating the suffering that is afflicting our planet earth.