The universe is eternal - What would that mean?

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This topic is not ready yet but it is a start.

Sometimes when debating the origin of things both atheists and theists talk about something that has not been created, has no beginning, maybe being eternal.

Below follows a real conversation between a theist and an atheist. Notice how the atheist is actually talking about a concept, a concept of something being eternal. Maybe he hopes that this is his universe. But he could as well be talking about God.

I would like to elaborate on this but I have no time right now. Maybe later.

Theist:		Has the universe always existed?
Atheist:		The universe encompasses time, thus it does not move through time.
Theist:		How do you know that it encompasses time, or is that by definition?
Atheist:		By definition.
Theist:		Ok, this is becoming interesting. If that is by definition, then you don't really know what this "universe" is that you are talking about, which is encompassing time. It is rather a concept that you have defined.
Atheist:		I am talking about the very universe we are living in. I know exactly what I'm talking about.
Theist:		Then you can not say that it encompasses time by definition. You are talking about a concept, not something you observed.