When people repeat lies such as "Einstein believed in God" or "Darwin renounced evolution", do they think their god will forgive them for this sin, on the basis that the means justifies the ends, or something like that?
2007-04-06 05:37:54 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
For those who don't know, Einstein used the word "god" to mean the entire universe. He never meant a "living, personal god" by that, and stated such hundreds of times. He also stated hundreds of times that he was an atheist. He used those terms because he lived in a world full of superstitious, ignorant people...and using the word in that way made his ideas more acceptable to them. It was his way of gently overcoming the superstitious religious people's fear of anything outside their narrow doctrine.
As for theists: christians, at least, believe their god will forgive them for pretty much *anything,* as long as they've uttered the magic words saying they accept some dead guy as their personal savior. That "I can do anything and be forgiven" attitude leads to all KINDS of nasty things done in their god's name, all the the expectation that the doer will be forgiven.
Us atheists, we know that there are consequences to our actions, and that we are responsible for what we do. No magic sky guy to forgive us after we speak magic words, just real-world actions and consequences. That's why we tend to be more responsible people.
By the way, the (lack of) reasoning behind this particular "lie" always amazes me...
If Einstein did believe in god, does that mean god exists? Nope.
If Einstein was an atheist, does that mean god doesn't exist? Nope.
He was just another human -- a very brilliant one that gave us great insights into our universe, but just a human. His opinions about god, pro or con, were just opinions like everyone else's. They don't add anything to the evidence for god (of which there is none).
Peace.
2007-04-06 05:55:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why would Einstein have said, "I want to know the mind of God," if he didn't think there was a God?
I've never heard that Darwin renounced evolution. That's a new one on me.
2007-04-06 05:47:38 · answer #2 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Ha....I see what you are trying to do there. properly God does not forgive you besides in case you probably did an immoral action. you may desire to in common terms "think of" that he did. So in case you truly desire forgiveness then you definately could desire to hunt for forgiveness the two from God and your fellow guy.
2016-10-02 06:54:21 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They commit the sin and then ask their god for forgiveness afterwards,so as far as they are concerned that's ok
2007-04-06 05:46:35 · answer #4 · answered by rosbif 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i was taught that sometimes you can lie for the right reason:
example:
if someone were in critical condition at the hospital, wouldn't you wanna lie and say they have a chance? because then at least their last moments would be filled with hope rather than fear/pity/etc.
and that is totally ok with god(s)
2007-04-06 05:44:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know. Why don't you ask Him when you kneel before Him on judgement day?
By the way -- did you see the recent "Bizarre Foods" episode where they ate guinea pigs? I think of it whenever I see your avatar.......
2007-04-06 05:49:21 · answer #6 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
They don't think they're lying- brainwashing works pretty good
2007-04-06 05:52:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋