Science versus Religion: Albert Einstein declared himself "a believing Jew." How does his declaration affect

Question

. . . your personal views, since it goes without saying that a "believing Jew" is someone who believes in God. How does Professor Einstein's thinking conflict with those who would argue that scientific advancement has properly replaced religion in modern society?

Answer 1

"Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind"- Albert Einstein

Answer 2

Einstein defined his religious views in a letter he wrote in response to those who claimed that he worshipped a Judeo-Christian god: "It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it."

I just took that from wikipedia. I dont mind the questions people ask, but if you are in the philosophy section why do you insist "it goes without saying that a "believing Jew" is someone who believes in God" surely no one here makes such absolute statements. Also, I don't think it correct to say that scientific advancement has replaced religion....I think they are just after opening a creationist museum somewhere in America. Things come and go in fashion.

I'm not sure if you are familiar with the word Pantheism, its interesting to read about.

Thanks

David

Answer 3

I always found it hard to accept certain of Albert Einstein's professed views, while I could easily see that the basics of special relativity and even general relativity seemed to be such brilliant insights. In recent years I have read somewhat about the man and I discovered that he was abusive to his first wife, and far worse - that to a large degree she developed the theory of relativity. It seems less surprising to me in that context. Scientific advancement may not have been just or right in his case but as with religious leaders of past centuries - the race does not always go to the swiftest or to the strongest or even the wisest; sadly it is often the one who cheats, lies and is not caught, who wears the laurel crown.

Answer 4

Well it doesn't affect my beliefs, it just reinforces them.

I believe that science will never properly replace religion in modern society, as there are certain questions that science just can NOT answer.
How do you scientifically answer the question "What happens to the soul after we die?", without making the unfounded assumption that the soul does not exist?

Answer 5

This is a myth...Albert Einstein never believed in a PERSONAL god...he considered being awestruck by the universe as the only religious part of him...he used the word in an unconventional way...

Answer 6

True wisdom allows a logical mind to explore the idea of science.

Answer 7

maybe albert didn't want all the **** that comes with denying religion in general or denying his jewishness in specific. he never actually spent years working on his general theory of God