Conflict can thus be avoided. The earliest part of time that is reasonably accessible to the scientific view is some several billions of years ago when the radiation of the big bang first broke free from the matter with which it was entangled. From this point on the universe seems to have been constantly expanding. Going back in time further than this involves speculation, wild guesses, and religion. The questions of who or what is the ultimate cause of the existence of the universe, why did life begin, and how are people aware of their existence are questions that can be dealt with religiously.
Life is highly improbable.
One can believe that it started by chance or believe that it was created. The preference is not based upon evidence. It is based upon religion. Thomas suggests that the poison fangs of snakes may be impossible to explain by evolution, thus requiring the existence of a creator. However this argument is based upon the idea that people are smart enough to understand any and all mechanisms by which life evolved.