The universe must have had a definite starting point in time.

I, like my opponent, believed that time was linear because the measurements of time we perceive on earth are linear. He believes that there is a distinction between space AND time. This is indeed not the case and because he's chosen the rebuttal that I was hoping he would, he's already lost this debate. Both my opponent and I are basing our conclusions based on the link he's provided in his opening argument (The universe - . http://en.wikipedia.org......) that is, that we believe in the theory of general and special relativity (as developed by Sir Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawkins and a myriad of past and present scientists and astrophysicists). Having agreed to these theories up front, we know that space AND time are not separate notions but rather linked, and thus referred to as space-time (again confirmed with my opponents link). This distinction is pinnacle to these theories and, in short, states that there are really four dimensions as follows: 1) Space 2) Matter 3) Velocity 4) Time It also concludes that these four dimensions are interconnected to each other (as stated in my opening position). Since these dimensions are all interrelated, Albert Einstein concluded that as objects approach the speed of light (the speed limit of the universe aside from theoretical particles and the big bang) mass becomes infinite and TIME STOPS (emphasis added…E=MC2). This isn't to say that events within the universe can't continue to take place, as they do all the time in the presence of light speed but, relative to the light, they are absent time. Now, as my opponent pointed out via his link, the big bang event occurred nearly instantly "brief period (less than 10−32 seconds)". This time frame is millions (if not trillions) of times faster than the speed of light. Since time is nonexistent at speeds greater than the speed of light, and the big bang (cosmic inflation) happened at speeds greater than the speed of light, than the big bang must have occurred in the absence of time. Time is only really present when an object moves slower than the speed of light. Since the Universe started out at speeds much faster than the speed of light, time must have started sometime after the big bang and relative to the object traveling at less than the speed of light. Since objects lose their velocity at different rates, time starts for those objects at varying points in the universe. This supports my opening comment where I stated that you could indeed formulate a timeline but the timeline would be relative to the object being measured from the time its velocity dips below the speed of light. This complex discussion and topic just touch the surface of the theories of general and special relativity. Although these conclusions may sound like science fiction to those not versed in these theories they are indeed science fact! It's been proven not only mathematically but in function as well. Here is a real life example: GPS satellites are calibrated to account for the differences in time based on their movement through space relative to our movement on earth. Since the satellites are moving faster through space-time, true time is slower and engineers program this time difference into the relays used to send signals back to users on Earth. Without programming for this space-time phenomenon, GPS signals would provide imprecise data to users on Earth. This time differential, factored with empirical mathematical principles proves that times slows with speed to the point of absolute zero at the speed of light and goes to prove my position that the universe formed in the absence of time. Again, these concepts are based in scientific fact. These facts provide clear support that the universe started in the absence of time (because there isn't a distinction between space AND time) and as such, it's not possible that the universe had a definite starting point in time. Based on these proven concepts, I ask that you vote against the absurd notion that my opponent believes is accurate.