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.
Yes, but isn’t this knowledge of other questions, really just beliefs?
Because a person like Einstein ends up being a fool no matter how worldly "smart" he seems. "what good is it to gain the world and lose your soul?"
I believe in the God of the bible, "the only true God and Jesus Christ who he has sent".
That really doesn’t explain why fearing God is the beginning of wisdom, but thanks.
well we will have to just disagree....
but I do like your Tagline.
Is it the word fear that is bothering you? I know that really bothers a lot of people. That word is used a lot of times regarding feelings toward or worship of or belief in God.
This may be the first instance in the bible:
Genesis 20:11 And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife.
There are certainly many Christians that would see that and take it upon themselves to try to share the gospel with you. I suspect you already know it and have rejected it. I think most people already know the gospel and know what they have rejected.
who does he think he is, Einstein????
>> Was this letter faxed from a Kinkos in Texas?
Actually, Einstein himself emailed it in 1954.
The word doesn’t bother me so much as I do not understand why anyone would fear God, and I really don’t understand how someone cannot be wise, without this fear.
I’ll take that as a yes, thanks.
I’ll take that as a yes, thanks.
So you prefer "believe in"?
Knowledge of religion is nothing more than knowledge about religion, it does not really equate to knowledge about God. His beliefs were just as valid as anyone elses...until proven false.
Believing in God, is the same as fearing God?
Actually, Abraham and his physical descendents were chosen to bring to the world the seed by which all would be blessed - the Christ.
All else about the Jews is related to that purpose. Their history, culture and religion were all shadows which point to the reality found in Jesus Christ.
What does it seem to mean to you in the context of the verse I posted? Do you find that an odd verse?
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