from Einstein to Gutkind

[adelaidesean]

"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."

Albert Einstein, 1954, in a letter being auctioned this week.

If I had a few easy grand lying around, I'd be tempted.

Comments

God does not play dice!!

[synw.livejournal.com]

He also has been quoted as saying this,

"I want to know God's thoughts; the rest are details."

"I am convinced that He (God) does not play dice."

"God is subtle but he is not malicious."

"Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind."

"God does not care about our mathematical difficulties. He integrates empirically."

"My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind."

"The further the spiritual evolution of mankind advances, the more certain it seems to me that the path to genuine religiosity does not lie through the fear of life, and the fear of death, and blind faith, but through striving after rational knowledge."

So does that mean that he considered his own beliefs weak or childish?
I'd like to think not. : )

Re: God does not play dice!!

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Perhaps he did, as he got older (and, one would hope, wiser). This letter was written about a year before he died.

I like to think that scientists like Einstein are using the word "god" metaphorically, since we don't really have any other word in our language that captures/conveys the awe and wonder experienced during the contemplation of the natural universe. To avoid confusion (and hi-jacking of their quotes by unscrupulous types--not you) I wish we would come up with something else, something catchy that has no theistic hangovers at all--but where to start?

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

One day I hope it will happen for you.

Maybe this week, if you happen to have a spare 12-15 large lying around.

Extra terrestrial life and God

[millisynth.livejournal.com]

Trying not to go too far off the subject, but whilst on the topic of God, this was in the news today:

"The search for extraterrestrial life does not contradict belief in God, the pope's chief astronomer said today, adding that some aliens may even be innocent of the original sin..."

http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/search-for-aliens-doesnt-negate-faith-vatican/2008/05/14/1210444482591.html

Re: Extra terrestrial life and God

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Asked about the difficult theological question, Funes said: "If other intelligent beings exist, it's not certain that they need redemption."

Here's hoping they don't, otherwise a wave of Jesuit astronauts (like the ones in The Sparrow) will boldly go, not to do the usual spacey stuff, but to ask if anyone out there has a moment to talk about Jeezus.

Re: God does not play dice!!

[synw.livejournal.com]

Sorry my friend, didn't mean to sound disrespectful to your favorite Super-Hero.