Albert Einstein was known for his ability to conceptualize
concepts back to their beginning or root. He wasn’t a great mathematician or
writer, but was excellent as an abstract thinker. Today he is seen as one of
the top three most intelligent people in the world who changed the nature of
science and became a model of intelligence. His ideas on religion and science is
one that aligns with a number early philosophers. His beliefs were based in his
deep study of religion in his childhood and scientific beliefs in later years.
Like Spinoza he believed in a God of all things but not
necessarily a personalized God. His argument is that as society developed there
was the God of Fear, The God of Providence, and finally a Cosmic Religion. The
development of the Cosmic Religion is believed to be a sign of critical analysis
because of the inherent scientific examination of God into cause and effect in
the world. Morality then becomes more subjective.
The God of Fear was invented to help people formalize their
vision and explain an unexplainable world. To them mystical powers, punishments
from the heavens, and causes could only be attributed to a supreme ruler and
mystical being. The concept of God was a
manifestation of fear of the world and those who had power in society. A
priestly structure was developed that helped people talk to their God in much
the same way people talked to their Kings.
The God of Providence was a higher state in human
development. It is the God that protects, provides, and gives life. Some argue
that this God applies to only their own religion or their own culture. It is an
individual God that helps society become more moral. This is often seen in the
differences of mindset that is associated with the old world rules replaced by
a more loving world. It is an advancement in the way people think in terms of
their ability to treat each other for society’s sake. Naturally some are
included and some excluded from this “saved” concept based upon their cultural
differences.
The cosmic God is unchained from specific religious points
of view. There is no old man on a cloud throwing lightning bolts like Thor nor
is there a specific God related to a particular sect, religion, culture or race.
It is a God that applies to everyone in the way that Democritus, Francis of Assisi,
and Spinoza saw it. Science and religion become wrapped into a more singular
mindset. Each becomes a path to the truth with a God that is more universal and
embedded into the nature of all human beings.
Einstein’s conception of God is certainly interesting. He is
right in the sense that the more we are aware of the cause and effect of life
the more we are likely to remove images of little devils behind our kitchen cupboards
or a God on a cloud. Yet like Einstein there are a great many things we must
admit we don’t know. He felt that there were laws that needed to be followed
and this is a sign of intelligent design. The cosmic religion is one of education, sympathy, and social ties. We cannot forget that each seed has
within it the need to grow, develop, and reproduce without being a product of
randomness. We can be sure there will be a continually search for truth among
scientists and the spiritual class.
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