Dear Jim,
These are the types of questions, one has to really answer for themselves.
For me, I will explain my reasoning for each of your questions:
1. Is there a beginning to the Universe?
a. The simple answer is NO. However, if you believe that "Time" is momentary, as I do, then the Universe or Universes are created in every moment, so the answer would be "Yes" in that sense. But for all intense and purpose behind your question for me, the answer is an absolute "NO." As Infinity, or a beginning presupposes that nothing existed before the Big Bang, and something surely did exist before. That is the conundrum of "Infinity."
i. NOTE: As well the Big Bang is only our Universe, as you look at the CMB, and beyond, there is much more to space than our small little universe.
2. Yes we are separated from the Infinite, as we are finite matter. And Infinity, cannot be circumscribed. Infinity is beyond understanding. If it were understandable, then it would be defined. And anything that is defined, is "Finite." Infinity by definition cannot be defined. Again, if it were, it would be finite, hence not infinite. It is a paradox, which is the engine that runs the Universe(s). Without the Infinite and the finite, we would be non-existent, and the nature of Space and Time, would not allow for that. Read my Essay "Infinite and Finite" @ www.otterthink.wordpress.com .
3. Death again is a question, no one knows about. I am agnostic, as I have to be to be honest with myself. But for me, when I die, I will become part of the Infinite, and depart the finite.
4. Religions, and Cultures, formed answers before, we had much science through the shamans, and spiritual leaders to find purpose.
a. Today, we have with the Galileo's, and Copernicus's of the world - have found new answers to these old traditions of mythology and hope for purpose, that religion and culture developed. So we are slowing changing some of our previous superstitions, such as burning witches, and so on. I believe we are becoming a more loving world, as we release on some of the behaviors religions and ancient cultures gave us. Such as killing infidels, and so on.
b. Important to note Religion and some cultures gave us the "Golden Rule", and values of the greatest measure of good too. So you have to decide for yourself which parts of Religion you accept and which you must abandon.
Hope this answers some of you thoughts, but they are the most difficult of questions, as science even tells us we do not understand very much in this Universe(s).
Thanks for the questions, and All the Best to You,
Russ
