From Michael Gerson at the Washington Post, here is a great column on the hunt for the Higgs boson (more commonly known as the God Particle). The search for the Higgs boson is related to fundamental physics, and Gerson explains the reason that so many physicists remain open to the idea of theism and Intelligent Design.
Not only does the universe unexpectedly correspond to mathematical theories, it is self-organizing — from biology to astrophysics — in unlikely ways. The physical constants of the universe seem finely tuned for the emergence of complexity and life. Slightly modify the strength of gravity, or the chemistry of carbon, or the ratio of the mass of protons and electrons, and biological systems become impossible. The universe-ending Big Crunch comes too soon, or carbon isn’t produced, or suns explode.
The wild improbability of a universe that allows us to be aware of it seems to demand some explanation.
The Guardian has more on the Higgs boson, that will help in understanding why this is such an important topic.
And here is another good summary from Asian Science magazine.
It is the wild improbability of so many “just right” features of the universe that leads to speculation of a designer. The alternative theories are, frankly, even harder to believe (or prove).
One theory I particularly like is the counter-intuitive realization that intelligence is a form of reverse entropy. Isaac Asimov wrote a great story, The Last Question, that describes this theory.