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Maddenation
Einstein’s Thoughts On God
A letter written by Einstein just sold for $404,000. The topic of this letter, called the “Gutkind Letter”, was God and Albert’s religious beliefs. The NYTimes has an interesting article on it, complete with some less than favorable remarks on religion. It’s interesting for lots of reasons. One is that most people think Einstein was a big believer in God because of his various quotes. I also found it interesting because I re-looked up the definition of ‘agnostic’ (which Albert said he was) and I’m thinking that everyone is agnostic, no? In that they think it’s impossible to know whether there is a God. Now, I’m not saying that I am agnostic, but sort of, in that can you ever really know for certain?
David • News • 05/18/08 • 3 comments
Comments
David • 05/18/08 • 11:54 AM:Here’s a copy of the translated Gutkind letter. I like the end where he writes that they ‘quite close on the essential things’.
Dad • 05/19/08 • 4:59 PM:Most educated people understand that it is impossible to prove the existence of God; else atheists and agnostics would not exist. However, a believer is sure that God exists whereas an agnostic isn’t. My understanding has always been that an agnostic has no faith, but both atheists and theists accept their position on the basis of faith, which may stem from personal experience, but cannot be based in science.
Patrick • 05/20/08 • 9:36 AM:I think there are different ways of knowing. Science, perhaps, can be grouped into one kind: empirical knowledge. But even that knowledge is tentative and subject to revision. The most honest and humble scientists realize this, though many people (especially non-scientists picking a bone with religion) hold to scientism fanatically as if it were absolute truth. This is because they feel that it diametrically opposes faith or religion.
Take one example: How, scientifically, can I know that I love my children? And yet I do. How can I know that God exists? The knowledge is similar. I don’t think it is transferable. I can’t run an experiment in the lab and prove it to others. But I can know for myself. I think here is one key, from Christ: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” I think it’s impossible to understand faith without striving to live according to the commandments.
Also note, Dad, that many vocal atheists deny that their surety is based on any kind of faith. They are certain that they know in a way superior to a believer’s knowledge.
OK, now I’ll go read the Einstein letter…
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