A book chronicling the life history of Albert Einstein is soon to be released and will reveal the deep religiosity of one of history's greatest minds.
Einstein: His Life and Universe, written by Walter Isaacson, records not only the science behind the genius, but also the humanistic aspects of him, including a deep belief in God. An excerpt from his book was recently published in a Time magazine article titled "Einstein & Faith," which specifically looked at the famed scientist's theory on a higher being."But the awe part comes in his 50s when he settled into a deism based on what he called the 'spirit manifest in the laws of the universe,'" wrote Isaacson in the book, "and a sincere belief in a 'God who reveals Himself in the harmony of all that exists.'"
Through his discoveries in physics and other sciences, Einstein felt that there was undoubtedly a force behind all existence that created all the laws that the world abides by. He even criticised atheists who he argued are missing on the very present link between science and faith.
"There are people who say there is no God," the physicist told a friend, according to the biography. "But what makes me really angry is that they quote me for support of such views."
In a later letter he wrote, "The fanatical atheists are like slaves who are still feeling the weight of their chains which they have thrown off after hard struggle. They are creatures who - in their grudge against traditional religion as the 'opium of the masses' - cannot hear the music of the spheres."
Einstein was by no means a Christian. He had grown up as a German Jew, later leaving that faith. He did not believe in the Judeo-Christian concept of free will, but rather, that people were predetermined to act a certain way.
Despite, he still felt that people should act as if there was free will.
"I am compelled to act as if free will existed, because if I wish to live in a civilized society I must act responsibly," explained Einstein in Isaacson's book. "I know that philosophically a murderer is not responsible for his crime, but I prefer not to take tea with him."
