Einstein's Ideas on Science and Religion - Term Paper Example

? Einstein’s Ideas on Science and Religion Science and Religion The idea of a ‘personal god’ as advanced by Einstein provides a useful and complex interrelationship in understanding Richard Rodriguez’s “God of the Desert.” The journey of Richard Rodriguez takes him to Israel in search of God and other things. The story begins thus, "I tell myself I am not looking for God. I am looking for an elision that is nevertheless a contour." (175) He travels to the desert, a solely deserted place devote of significant life to find the only sole God that all people and religions have believed in, to this the author says, "I have come to the Holy Land because the God of the Jews, Christians, and Muslims-a common God revealed Himself in the desert." (176) this is indeed a logical reasoning that the author believes that there is some religion truth in this place. Quite contrastingly, this land that is supposed to be holy is marred by blood and no human life. Einstein critically presents his arguments and points out the limitations of the human intellectual ability as individuals entangled in ‘religion fear’ (1) to secure favor in solving the human miseries. In Einstein’s Personal god, religion beliefs and science are presented as antagonists, but he further suggests that serious scientific workers are also the most profoundly the most religious people. The most outstanding feature of Einstein’s characteristics is his language about religion and science. The desire to experience the cosmos as a single whole sprouts from human’s perspective of the world as some kind of prison to him. This thought already brings forth the idea of cosmic religion which emanates from mans fear of uncertainty. To limit dogma and lots of theology, Einstein does not rule out the prospects of a future cosmic religion. He foresees a religion that goes beyond personal God. This religion majorly based on sense of emanating from the encounter of all spiritual and natural things that when combined form an ideal and meaningful unity. From his perspective, science brings to life religion and those who accept it internalize it. Einstein argues that humans are usually driven by some sort of internal needs as they seek religious interpretation. The main force for human would be in most instances for a ‘feeling and longing’. (1) It is the fear of these that tend to provoke human emotions throughout religious life. This religion concept where one fears sickness, death or hunger is what Einstein describes as a ‘religion fear’ by constantly using the word ‘religion fear’ the author implies that human beings do not go to church to seek spiritual guidance but rather they attend church from the fears that emanate deep within. The author generally groups these religion fears into hunger, pain or comfort. Moreover, Einstein describes a second type of religion belief that emanates from social impulses. He attempts to justify that ‘the desire for guidance, love, and support prompts men to form social conception of God.’ (3) God who the human race believes to provide, protect and even offer rewards and punishments; this ‘personal god’ as the author describes is able to even provide ‘life and offer comfort during difficult times of sadness and ‘unsatisfied longing’ and ‘he who is also able to preserve the soul of the dead.’ (3) A common religious orientation with the above types of religion is what Einstein describes as ‘anthropomorphic character of their conception of God’ (4) exhibited by low level individuals. It is therefore based on these two low level of human understanding and belief about religion that Einstein expunges a new religion dimension which he also admits is ‘rarely found in pure form’ (4) this is what he calls ‘Cosmic religion’ (4) which is characterized by human desires and personal quest to ‘reveal themselves both in nature and in the world of thought.’ By using the word “Anthropomorphic character” Einstein is actually drawing parallel line between a traditional religion believer and a contemporary scientist who explores their nature to create scientific facts and not merely faith for the world. Rodriguez commences his critical approach towards religion in his visit to the desert. He says that he has a natural curiosity about deserts. He cherishes the deserts for their secrets, beauty and survivability. He documents that, “My curiosity about an ecology that joins three desert religions dates from September 11, 2001, from prayers enunciated in the sky over America on that day.” (176). Here the word “prayers” indicates that he sets out not to prove that God exists, but simply to seek solace as he faces cancer. Moreover, the word “ecology” also tends to suggest that he has a desire to visit the same place that would assist someone facing mortality. The connection that he links to the terrorists comes from the realization that he, just like them, is conscious about his own impeding death. His journey then serves to seek comfort as he comes to terms with his mortality. As he nears end of his journey Rodriguez is unable to find comfort as he fears dying. In this scene, he is talking to a tour guide: “I tell Magen about my recent cancer. If I asked him, would he pray for me here, even though he does not believe? “Of course” (198). Here the word “not” is significant as it demonstrates Rodriguez own lack of faith. He is an unbeliever speaking to another unbeliever. Another important word is “if” because this word symbolizes his question about God. For Rodriguez God is still not real. Additionally, the word “if” demonstrates that he is not committed to seeking comfort from Magen because he is not sure that prayer would even help. Furthermore, Magen’s reponse “of course” is placed in italics to show that his agreement to pray for Rodriguez is merely out of politeness. At the end of essay, Rodriguez is no closer to finding the peace he seeks as he faces his own death. Unlike the terrorists he is hesitant and ambivalent.  In the context of the foregoing discussions, Richard Rodriguez’s “God of the Desert” and Einstein ideas in “Personal god,” religion beliefs and science are presented as antagonists, but he further suggests that serious scientific workers are also the most profoundly the most religious people. In both religion and science, there is that inner quest for the unknown which man in his daily undertakings attempts to unveil. This essentially becomes a notable aspect between science and religion. Works cited Einstein, Albert. "Einstein on Cosmic Religion and Other Opinions and Aphorisms." New York Times 9 November 1930: 1-4. Rodriguez, Richard. The God of the Desert in the Best Spiritual Writing 2010, ed. Philip Zaleski, New York: Penguin Books, 2010 pp. 175-199.Print. Read More