Posted on 05/13/2008 5:45:59 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
Albert Einstein described belief in God as "childish superstition" and said Jews were not the chosen people, in a letter to be sold in London this week, an auctioneer said Tuesday.
The father of relativity, whose previously known views on religion have been more ambivalent and fuelled much discussion, made the comments in response to a philosopher in 1954.
As a Jew himself, Einstein said he had a great affinity with Jewish people but said they "have no different quality for me than all other people".
"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," he wrote in the letter written on January 3, 1954 to the philosopher Eric Gutkind, cited by The Guardian newspaper.
The German-language letter is being sold Thursday by Bloomsbury Auctions in Mayfair after being in a private collection for more than 50 years, said the auction house's managing director Rupert Powell.
In it, the renowned scientist, who declined an invitation to become Israel's second president, rejected the idea that the Jews are God's chosen people.
"For me the Jewish religion like all others is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions," he said.
"And the Jewish people to whom I gladly belong and with whose mentality I have a deep affinity have no different quality for me than all other people."
And he added: "As far as my experience goes, they are no better than other human groups, although they are protected from the worst cancers by a lack of power. Otherwise I cannot see anything 'chosen' about them."
Previously the great scientist's comments on religion -- such as "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind" -- have been the subject of much debate, used notably to back up arguments in favour of faith.
Powell said the letter being sold this week gave a clear reflection of Einstein's real thoughts on the subject. "He's fairly unequivocal as to what he's saying. There's no beating about the bush," he told AFP.
Well, ultimately, everything is God’s creation.
I do not know any of this, but I believe religions are the creation of man, desined to effect some control over a group. A belief of some Divine revelation would certainly aid in it’s popularity. Although, I don’t know how that revelation would be recognised, and distinguished as being any more valid than any other belief in a Divine revelation.
Monism as Connecting Religion and Science, Ernst Haeckel.
Mind, Motion, and Monism, George Romanes.
Riddle of the Universe, Ernst Haeckel.
Haeckel, His Life and Work, Wilhelm Bolsche.
Why do you say I’ve closed my mind to the evidence of reason, nature? What evidence exactly, are you talking about?
What exactly is the evidence of revelation? How would it be measured, reproduced, tested like all evidence should be?
Why would you want to convince me?
Perhaps, it is not so much I that have a closed mind, as it may be you. I have always said that this is just what I believe, not what I know, and that I may vey well be wrong, while you seem very sure, that you know these things, Where is your evidence? Evidence which doesn’t rely merely on faith. Do you require evidence to validate your beliefs? I don’t, if you do, perhaps your faith needs bolstering.
Why do you want me to read the book? Is it because somehow, you think that I do not believe in God, or because you want me tobelieve as you do?
I am not, and have never said or even hinted at being certain that God does not exist, I’m sure He does. How did you come up with this notion?
I doubt I will read it, as I seldom have time to read anything, besides, my faith doesn’t need strengthening. Thanks though.
I do read when I can, but I have a lot of other reading on my list to do first. I don’t read much religious stuff, because I really don’t believe anyone knows anymore about God, than anyone else. Besides, I’m quite satisfied with my current beliefs.
One may learn about God from reading or studying, but one only begins to develop a relationship with God through prayer and meditation on the Divine. I promise you that prayer will bring you closer to Him and allow you insights into His character that will open your eyes to hints of a world that is beyond your imagination. So, I urge you in the strongest terms to read and pray. I shall pray that you do.
I don’t believe that anyone may learn about God from reading, I believe God puts the knowledge of Himself into each one of us according to His plan.
I agree with you about the prayer, as I do a lot of praying, and I’m thankful that God made me as He did.
I said one may learn about God by reading but knowledge of God comes through relationship.
God put the need for God into each human being - as He put the need for the companionship of the opposite sex - but the development and flowering of that need is dependent on the willingness of each human to open himself or herself to God,
GOD made you as you are: for relationship with Him and with other humans.
I agree, God made us as we are.
An if you refuse to develop a relationship with Him, you will never develop into your full potential as a physical and spiritual human being.
How do you come up with these conclusions about me? I never said anything about refusing to develop a relationship with God. How do you know I don’t have a relationship with God?
From the implied language of your writings.
Where did I imply that I denied the existence of God, or that I refuse a relationship with God?
Your replies indicate a person who is very self-satisfied with himself. Normally, self-satisfied people feel no need of a relationship with God.
Yes, I am quite self-satisfied. I believe it has everything to do with how God made me. You may want to review what you consider normal for others.
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