http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hh-Ij8qaiUlcVItOKC94wrhA2R1w

Belief in God 'childish,' Jews not chosen people: Einstein letter
7 hours ago

LONDON (AFP) — 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.

Einstein was not an atheist, his concept of God was that of a prime mover and not of a personal God.

Very few scientists believe in God. As a matter of fact, a large percentage of Jewish people are Jewish only in name and association. They care little for God.

quote:

Originally posted by Terry Ishmael:
Very few scientists believe in God. As a matter of fact, a large percentage of Jewish people are Jewish only in name and association. They care little for God.

Francis Collins, the director of the US National Human Genome Research Institute and author of "The Language of God" is one of those Scientist. Unravelling the human genome did not create a conflict in his mind. Instead, it allowed him to "glimpse at the workings of God".

Andre: u need some lashes u know. :-). U startign shyte now. The concept of God is not subject to philosophical proof and so philosophers, relying on logic, have the RIGHT to deny the existence of God. Theologians commit gross stupidity to argue against them, manufacturing shallow, refutable "proofs." Religion is based on faith. End of story. For Muslims, read iqbals "Reconstruction of religious thought IN ISLAM." And rejoice if you believe. Rejoice too if you dont. For God has the DUTY to show you. A KAFIR is one who rejects AFTER KNOWING THE TRUTH, whatever that is. If the truth is not proven, big G cannot in theory confront him. That means Andre and D2 will probably be happy--since they continue to ask for proof... while some of us, including some saints, according to the usual theories, will be buring in frickin hell.
And so that you religionists don't waste your time: proof is not established by the repetition of the same mantra, but by that which convinces rational thought.

Imala: with all respect to you, the God proofs these authors come up with in the name of science are idiotic ramblings that mix intellect and imagination in a sordid mess.

quote:

Originally posted by dara shikoh:
Imala: with all respect to you, the God proofs these authors come up with in the name of science are idiotic ramblings that mix intellect and imagination in a sordid mess.

Dara maybe I am misunderstanding you. Are you saying that science and God doesn't mix?

no, most authors who link science and religion are not scientists...:D

The basic rule of science is that matter cannot be created or destroyed. Something can not be created from nothing.

quote:

Originally posted by Terry Ishmael:
Something can not be created from nothing.

ignorance ....lol

ignorance is inherited :-)

quote:

Originally posted by imala:

quote:

Originally posted by dara shikoh:
Imala: with all respect to you, the God proofs these authors come up with in the name of science are idiotic ramblings that mix intellect and imagination in a sordid mess.

Dara maybe I am misunderstanding you. Are you saying that science and God doesn't mix?

I belong to the school of Iqbal and Ibn Rushd here. I am saying that there are different levels of learning and understanding. faith and science are incompatible based on the quantum of proof that each needs.God has the duty to provide proof for a scientist..and we as humans cannot judge that scientist when s/he does not accept what WE offer...

Darwin.

What is Darwin's theory?