It is therefore easy to see why the churches have always fought science and persecuted its devotees."[
The point, therefore is: WHY QUIBBLE?
Both think the idea of god is "naive" and "childlike". Einstein was a HUMANIST. As he said...to a Priest he would be an ATHEIST.
"I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation, whose purposes are modeled after our own—a God, in short, who is but a reflection of human frailty. Neither can I believe that the individual survives the death of his body, although feeble souls harbor such thoughts through fear or ridiculous egotisms." [22] "A God who rewards and punishes is inconceivable to him for the simple reason that a man's actions are determined by necessity, external and internal, so that in God's eyes he cannot be responsible, any more than an inanimate object is responsible for the motions it undergoes. Science has therefore been charged with undermining morality, but the charge is unjust. A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hopes of reward after death. It is therefore easy to see why the churches have always fought science and persecuted its devotees." [
You are angry at Maher--not for his message--but for how it is delivered. Einstein did not make his living off satire so had no need for grandstanding or proselytization. Do you see the difference?
Einstein also thinks Yahweh is utter nonsense--which of course it is. But Einstein was a prominent member of a culture which was built on religious fundamentalism AND he was an elder statesman for HUMANITY--writ large. So yes...Maher does not compare to him. Neither do you and neither do I. So relax. In knowing that the fawning and blubbering of ANY of the sheep in any of the sects is delusional fluff, I find myself in good company--because that is EXACTLY what Einstein thought of religion! The awe and wonder and humility that characterised Einstein's gestalt has NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY RELIGION.
I am sure Einstein's disappointment in his fellow man was discouraging and heart wrenching. He did not however have the character to satirize and poke fun as a way of demonstrating the absurdity of it all. Everyone has their own path and their own way and their own circumstances. People who follow the myths of Yahweh ARE like naive children--just as Einstein pointed out. And these naive children have done much damage throughout history. And they are currently fighting to turn back womens rights to their body. And they are threatening to destroy Science in the schools. And they are threatening to dispense with Human Rights and Freedoms in favor of political government run by a Supernatural Commander in Chief where (as always)...ANYTHING GOES.
Do you want America to be like Iran?? If a bit of satire could help prevent that do you think that is something you might be interested in learning about?? |
