Einstein and Religion: Setting the Record Straight

[ragarth]

I've seen it touted on here several times that Albert Einstein was a Christian, and used that to prop up some populum fallacies and whatnot. I hadn't debated such things because the religions of historical figures is neither an interest, nor a speciality for me. I did just come across this, though, on pharyngula, its a letter he wrote in 1954:

"The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weakness, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still purely primitive, legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this."

The link is here: Letters of Note: The word God is the product of human weakness

 

[AV1611VET]

I did just come across this, though, on pharyngula, its a letter he wrote in 1954:

That's all well and good --- for 1954.

But what about 1955?

I'm sure the thief on the cross who got saved denied Christ right up to w/i minutes of expiring.

What a person wrote the year before he dies is not part of what is called a deathbed conversion.

 

[Cabal]

That's all well and good --- for 1954.

But what about 1955?

I'm sure the thief on the cross who got saved denied Christ right up to w/i minutes of expiring.

What a person wrote the year before he dies is not part of what is called a deathbed conversion.

Yup, because when people go and claim "But Einstein was a Christian!!!1" they naturally cite his well-documented and unambiguous deathbed conversion.

 

[AV1611VET]

Yup, because when people go and claim "But Einstein was a Christian!!!1" they naturally cite his well-documented and unambiguous deathbed conversion.

--- Oops, sorry!

I wasn't paying attention to the OP.

 

[Cabal]

--- Oops, sorry!

I wasn't paying attention to the OP.

Not a bother - your point is correct, of course, but the fact remains that people usually quote pre-1954 stuff on this one....

 

[ragarth]

That's all well and good --- for 1954.

But what about 1955?

I'm sure the thief on the cross who got saved denied Christ right up to w/i minutes of expiring.

What a person wrote the year before he dies is not part of what is called a deathbed conversion.

While this has nothing at all to do with my post, what proof do you have that Albert Einstein had a deathbed conversion?

//as a side note, the fact that so many theists resort to the dishonest tactic of inventing deathbed confessions when none happen has sparked an interesting phenomena among dying atheists: deathbed anti-confessions. http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/09/basava_premanand_is_dying.php

 

[AV1611VET]

While this has nothing at all to do with my post, what proof do you have that Albert Einstein had a deathbed conversion?

Let's put it this way --- if he didn't --- I can assure you that there's coming a time when he most certainly is going to bow the knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

[ragarth]

Let's put it this way --- if he didn't --- I can assure you that there's coming a time when he most certainly is going to bow the knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I'm afraid I find the proof backing such an assurance woefully lacking. If I felt said insurance had any teeth I'd be a bit more religious. In any case, you can't presume a deathbed conversion based upon your belief that someone is burning in hell otherwise, without tangible proof, you are doing naught more than lying.

 

[ragarth]

Well, now that that titillating potential for a fun conversation turned to bollocks, its bedtime for me. Tally-ho good 'gents, and rest well in your slumber.

 

[AV1611VET]

I'm afraid I find the proof backing such an assurance woefully lacking. If I felt said insurance had any teeth I'd be a bit more religious. In any case, you can't presume a deathbed conversion based upon your belief that someone is burning in hell otherwise, without tangible proof, you are doing naught more than lying.

I hope you weren't calling me a liar.

I went out of my way to make sure I was neutral in this discussion of Einstein's deathbed confession.

Personally, I don't know if he did or not --- and neither do you.

I suspect he may have, but that's because I hope everyone gets saved before they die.

If you (and others) want to argue him into Hell, that's your prerogative; but I have a feeling that, come Judgment Day, there's going to be some surprises.

 

[ragarth]

Feelings =/= facts.

Einstein died after a long illness, and died in his sleep in the hospital after an aortic aneurysm. He wasn't recorded as giving a conversion up to the point that he went in the hospital, he wasn't recorded going to churches, he didn't change his will at any time during that illness, and he continued up until his dying day to work on a unification theory. For his remains, he wanted no grave, no special services, nothing that might signify any of the trappings of a Christian death. And yes, he died in his sleep. Further, an aortic aneurysm, once it bursts, can put someone unconscious. If Einstein was unconscious, then he couldn't have had a deathbed conversion.

Given these facts, I think it more likely that he did not have some miraculous deathbed conversion, considering his behavior, the state of his will, and the state of him (asleep) when he died, and his potential state before death (unconscious). Assumption of a deathbed conversion is an application of illogic in this case.

 

[DaisyDay]

Yup, because when people go and claim "But Einstein was a Christian!!!1" they naturally cite his well-documented and unambiguous deathbed conversion.

Don't people claim "But Einstein was a Jew!!!!1"? I don't think there is any evidence whatsoever that he ever converted to Christianity.

 

[LifeToTheFullest!]

Yes, Einstein was a Jew, but in no way was he practicing. He considered himself to be agnostic. He did however become a Zionist later in his life as he witnessed the atrocities toward Jews.