LONDON (AFP)
German-Jewish philosopher Albert Einstein described belief in God as "childish superstition" and said Jews were not the chosen people, in a letter to be sold in a London auction on Thursday.
"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," Einstein wrote in the letter written on January 3, 1954 to the philosopher Eric Gutkind, cited by The Guardian newspaper.
The letter, written in 1954, will be auctioned in London Einstein's letter, written in 1954, will be auctioned in London
In the letter the renowned scientist, who declined an invitation to become Israel's second president, said although the Jews were protected they were no better than other groups.
"As far as my experience goes, although they are protected from the worst cancers by a lack of power, they are no better than other human groups. Otherwise I cannot see anything 'chosen' about them," Einstein said.
"The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish," the father of relativity wrote.
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 favor of faith.
The auction house's managing director Rupert 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 said.
The German-language letter is being sold Thursday by Bloomsbury Auctions in Mayfair after being in a private collection for more than 50 years, Powell said. |
