Childish superstition: Einstein's letter makes view of religion relatively clear

UK Guardian ^ | May 13 2008 | James Randerson

[Aristotelian]

"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." So said Albert Einstein, and his famous aphorism has been the source of endless debate between believers and non-believers wanting to claim the greatest scientist of the 20th century as their own.

A little known letter written by him, however, may help to settle the argument - or at least provoke further controversy about his views.

Due to be auctioned this week in London after being in a private collection for more than 50 years, the document leaves no doubt that the theoretical physicist was no supporter of religious beliefs, which he regarded as "childish superstitions".

Einstein penned the letter on January 3 1954 to the philosopher Eric Gutkind who had sent him a copy of his book Choose Life: The Biblical Call to Revolt. The letter went on public sale a year later and has remained in private hands ever since.

In the letter, he states: "The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this."

Einstein, who was Jewish and who declined an offer to be the state of Israel's second president, also rejected the idea that the Jews are God's favoured people.

"For me the Jewish religion like all others is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions.

[Thumper1960]

“It is the height of arrogance for man, Einstein or whomever, to claim that he, or any man, could understand the cosmos and all that is contained therein, given the time and capacity to observe and theorize.”

The underlined are the operative points. Scientists are an arrogant lot. As we are shown even on FR.

And for some the incomprehensible is even moreso....

Yeah....right back atcha.

[allmost]

I did enjoy that, thank you.

[RFEngineer]

“Scientists are an arrogant lot. As we are shown even on FR.”

You sir, are an anti-scientite.

Take it back or I will challenge you to slide-rule fencing - with slides FULLY extended.

[betty boop]

What a wonderful story, CutePuppy! Thank you for posting it. It’s marvelous food for thought; I’ll treasure it.