i think the universe and matter always existed, i see time as just more or less an illusion we humans have. I mean our view is kind of predujical, because everything on earth has a begginning that doesnt mean that it applies to the entire universe. But of course this argument for always existing is used by the religious to explain god, but the god their talking about is mythology, i mean it is not only fictisious but too modeled after man (ie. hes a jealous god, he loves those who love him) to be real or trancendant.