Belief in God a 'product of human weaknesses': Einstein letter

min0 lee · 05-13-2008, 06:44 PM

Belief in God a 'product of human weaknesses': Einstein letter

Renowned scientist Albert Einstein dismissed the Bible as a collection of â€œpretty childishâ€ legends and belief in God as a â€œproduct of human weaknesses,â€ according to a letter to be auctioned this week.
Einstein, who was Jewish, also rejects the notion that Jews were Godâ€™s chosen people.
The letter was written in German in 1954 to philosopher Eric Gutkind.
It is to be auctioned in London, England, on Thursday by Bloomsbury Auctions, and is expected to fetch between $12,000 and $16,000 US.
Einstein writes "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."
Born to a Jewish family in Germany in 1879, he also adds that "for me, the Jewish religion like all other religions is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions."
He also wrote "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.
â€œAs far as my experience goes, they are also 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."
Einstein 'rather quirky about religion': expert

Many have speculated about the religious or spiritual beliefs of the Nobel Prize-winning physicist, whose theory of relativity revolutionized the study of physics.
Some have pointed to Einsteinâ€™s quote that God "does not play dice" with the universe (his rejection of the randomness of the universe) as proof of his belief in a higher being.
Others have said that the quote does not advocate a belief in God and have referred to other letters written by Einstein.
"I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly,â€ he wrote in another letter in 1954. "If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it."
John Brooke, professor emeritus of science and religion at Oxford University, told the Associated Press that the letter lends weight to the notion that "Einstein was not a conventional theist" â€” although he was not an atheist, either.
"Like many great scientists of the past, he is rather quirky about religion, and not always consistent from one period to another," Brooke said
Brooke said Einstein believed "there is some kind of intelligence working its way through nature. But it is certainly not a conventional Christian or Judaic religious view."
Bloomsbury spokesman Richard Caton said the auction house was "100 per cent certain" of the letter's authenticity.
It is being offered at auction for the first time by a private vendor.
With files from the Associated Press

**Gazhole** · 05-13-2008, 06:49 PM

Go Einstein!

Yanick · 05-13-2008, 06:50 PM

Einstein is one of my all time favorite people. He's a hero to me. His story is actually rather interesting and his intelligence is highly admirable. Had i 16k to throw away i'd buy that letter.

fufu · 05-13-2008, 06:57 PM

Funny, I have come to very similar conclusions.

I think God is just a concept people hold onto to satiate their fear of the unknown. Generally people strive to know everything. When they don't, they make something up. I don't see how a belief in God and religion is any different than a belief that lightning is a magical display of anger from the gods.

danny81 · 05-13-2008, 07:02 PM

wow I never met an athiest in my life and on the internet theres so many of them.

Hoglander · 05-13-2008, 07:12 PM

The GOD Part Of The Brain - Matthew Alper

Some parts of reality suck, so our minds handle it with BS, IMHO.

fufu · 05-13-2008, 07:17 PM

There are just way too many possibilities in the universe to conclude we know the means to creation or reality, way too many intangibles.

The fact that people claim to know these things is laughable and extremely ridiculous.

min0 lee · 05-13-2008, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny81

wow I never met an athiest in my life and on the internet theres so many of them.

Please allow me to introduce myself Danny
Im a Tranny of wealth and taste
Ive been around for a long, long year
Stole many a mans soul and faith
And I was round when AlBob

min0 lee · 05-13-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny81

wow I never met an athiest in my life and on the internet theres so many of them.

Had his moment of doubt and pain
Made damn sure that pilate
Washed his hands and sealed his ass
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name
But whats puzzling you
Is the nature of my game

danny81 · 05-13-2008, 07:47 PM

wat are u trying to say? r u tying to remix a jay z song?

min0 lee · 05-13-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny81

wat are u trying to say? r u tying to remix a jay z song?

Nope, it's a Rolling Stone classic.

It's called "Sympathy For The Devil"

**Prince** · 05-13-2008, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Renowned scientist Albert Einstein dismissed the Bible as a collection of â€œpretty childishâ€ legends and belief in God as a â€œproduct of human weaknesses,â€ according to a letter to be auctioned this week.

danny81 · 05-13-2008, 08:11 PM

wtf is everyone on this site athiest

Hoglander · 05-13-2008, 08:12 PM

No

Hail our Lord Satan.

**DOMS** · 05-13-2008, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fufu

There are just way too many possibilities in the universe to conclude we know the means to creation or reality, way too many intangibles.

The fact that people claim to know these things is laughable and extremely ridiculous.

So...I take it you're not a fan of the Big Bang theory?

**Prince** · 05-13-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny81

wtf is everyone on this site athiest

no, I am sure the "bible thumpers" will jump in here shortly!

I am not atheist, I just have an issue with organized religions.

danny81 · 05-13-2008, 08:28 PM

im a bible thumper i guess. i go to church someties. like 1-2x a month

**Prince** · 05-13-2008, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny81

im a bible thumper i guess. i go to church someties. like 1-2x a month

that does not make you a bible thumper dude.

danny81 · 05-13-2008, 08:36 PM

oo lol

bio-chem · 05-13-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny81

wow I never met an athiest in my life and on the internet theres so many of them.

this may be the only thought out statement i have ever seen you type danny.

bio-chem · 05-13-2008, 10:52 PM

what is the never ending desire for science and religion to fight? why must they be looked at as mutually exclusive? And if any one needs to look at anecdotal quotes from a dead scientist to prove their belief, or lack thereof in God doesn't that just show an inner weakness to make up ones own mind?

**Prince** · 05-13-2008, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bio-chem

what is the never ending desire for science and religion to fight? why must they be looked at as mutually exclusive? And if any one needs to look at anecdotal quotes from a dead scientist to prove their belief, or lack thereof in God doesn't that just show an inner weakness to make up ones own mind?

LMFAO, you refer to Albert Einstein as nothing more than a "dead scientist"?

Oh my lord, no pun intended.

**Prince** · 05-13-2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bio-chem

this may be the only thought out statement i have ever seen you type danny.

it's to be expected really, the average person is just a sheep. (no offense danny)

bio-chem · 05-13-2008, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prince

LMFAO, you refer to Albert Einstein as nothing more than a "dead scientist"?

Oh my lord, no pun intended.

yea, a dead scientist. he was obviously a brilliant man. i'm sure regarded by the majority as the brightest of the century. this doesn't mean his opinion is the end all. my point is that the guy was an expert in physics. how does this make him an expert on God? why should I hold his understanding of God over my own?

05-13-2008, 06:44 PM	#1
min0 lee I See© Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: The Bronx, NYC Posts: 30,688 Blog Entries: 3 Photos: 542	Belief in God a 'product of human weaknesses': Einstein letter BODYBUILDING SUPPLEMENTS High Quality Supplements For Bodybuilders and Athletes. www.ironmaglabs.com Belief in God a 'product of human weaknesses': Einstein letter Renowned scientist Albert Einstein dismissed the Bible as a collection of â€œpretty childishâ€ legends and belief in God as a â€œproduct of human weaknesses,â€ according to a letter to be auctioned this week. Einstein, who was Jewish, also rejects the notion that Jews were Godâ€™s chosen people. The letter was written in German in 1954 to philosopher Eric Gutkind. It is to be auctioned in London, England, on Thursday by Bloomsbury Auctions, and is expected to fetch between $12,000 and $16,000 US. Einstein writes "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." Born to a Jewish family in Germany in 1879, he also adds that "for me, the Jewish religion like all other religions is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions." He also wrote "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. â€œAs far as my experience goes, they are also 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." Einstein 'rather quirky about religion': expert Many have speculated about the religious or spiritual beliefs of the Nobel Prize-winning physicist, whose theory of relativity revolutionized the study of physics. Some have pointed to Einsteinâ€™s quote that God "does not play dice" with the universe (his rejection of the randomness of the universe) as proof of his belief in a higher being. Others have said that the quote does not advocate a belief in God and have referred to other letters written by Einstein. "I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly,â€ he wrote in another letter in 1954. "If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it." John Brooke, professor emeritus of science and religion at Oxford University, told the Associated Press that the letter lends weight to the notion that "Einstein was not a conventional theist" â€” although he was not an atheist, either. "Like many great scientists of the past, he is rather quirky about religion, and not always consistent from one period to another," Brooke said Brooke said Einstein believed "there is some kind of intelligence working its way through nature. But it is certainly not a conventional Christian or Judaic religious view." Bloomsbury spokesman Richard Caton said the auction house was "100 per cent certain" of the letter's authenticity. It is being offered at auction for the first time by a private vendor. With files from the Associated Press
	How To Do The Perfect Bench Press Rep Bodybuilding and Lifting Weights, the Difference ironmagazine-frapper KEFE '08

05-13-2008, 06:50 PM	#3
Yanick Amor Fati Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,798	Einstein is one of my all time favorite people. He's a hero to me. His story is actually rather interesting and his intelligence is highly admirable. Had i 16k to throw away i'd buy that letter.
Yanick Amor Fati Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,798	"...we have to remember that training is a complicated dance of stimuli and response. Our goal is to understand how to manipulate the stimuli in order to evoke the responses we desire." -Nathan J. Polenchek

05-13-2008, 06:57 PM	#4
fufu fiendish thingy Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 15,637 Photos: 4	Funny, I have come to very similar conclusions. I think God is just a concept people hold onto to satiate their fear of the unknown. Generally people strive to know everything. When they don't, they make something up. I don't see how a belief in God and religion is any different than a belief that lightning is a magical display of anger from the gods.
	fufu's 1337 Journal Your diet will set you free.

05-13-2008, 07:02 PM	#5
danny81 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4,764	wow I never met an athiest in my life and on the internet theres so many of them.
danny81 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4,764

05-13-2008, 07:17 PM	#7
fufu fiendish thingy Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 15,637 Photos: 4	There are just way too many possibilities in the universe to conclude we know the means to creation or reality, way too many intangibles. The fact that people claim to know these things is laughable and extremely ridiculous.
	fufu's 1337 Journal Your diet will set you free.

05-13-2008, 07:12 PM	#6
Hoglander Cleaner Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Washington Posts: 979 Blog Entries: 1 Photos: 10	The GOD Part Of The Brain - Matthew Alper Some parts of reality suck, so our minds handle it with BS, IMHO.

05-13-2008, 07:47 PM	#10
danny81 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4,764	wat are u trying to say? r u tying to remix a jay z song?
danny81 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4,764

05-13-2008, 08:11 PM	#13
danny81 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4,764	wtf is everyone on this site athiest
danny81 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4,764

05-13-2008, 08:12 PM	#14
Hoglander Cleaner Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Washington Posts: 979 Blog Entries: 1 Photos: 10	No Hail our Lord Satan.

05-13-2008, 08:28 PM	#17
danny81 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4,764	im a bible thumper i guess. i go to church someties. like 1-2x a month
danny81 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4,764

05-13-2008, 08:36 PM	#19
danny81 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4,764	oo lol
danny81 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4,764

05-13-2008, 10:52 PM	#21
bio-chem Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Utah Posts: 3,514 Photos: 14	what is the never ending desire for science and religion to fight? why must they be looked at as mutually exclusive? And if any one needs to look at anecdotal quotes from a dead scientist to prove their belief, or lack thereof in God doesn't that just show an inner weakness to make up ones own mind?