This re-instated what passes for faith in humanity

[Jester]

You are suggesting, if I understand you correctly, that a chain of events, even given its length to be great, or infinite, can begin without a beginning.

No. To "begin without a beginning" is a contradictory mess. It is more like saying "there are infinitely many odd integers." There is no way of determining where they "start," since they don't. But you can always find the precedent or antecedent odd integer for any given odd integer.

To me, the argument that there must be a first cause is roughly equivalent to the argument that there must be a first odd integer. There is nothing, logically speaking, that forbids an infinite series. Perhaps it is not infinite. But you would have to demonstrate that it has a limit, you cannot simply assume it.

Lastly: No, if the universe has a cause it cannot be itself, for then it would be uncaused.

Yes. And I'm saying you have no proof, from argument or evidence, that the universe has a cause, except to say that *everything* has a cause, which negates the possibility of a "first cause."

-Jester