49. Einstein, Albert. Typed letter signed (“A. Einstein”), 1 page (8.5 x 11 in.; 216 x 279 mm.), in English, on “A. Einstein, 112 Mercer Street, Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.A.” blind-stamped stationery, 28 September 1949, written to “Mr. Guy H. Raner, Jr. 6850 Chimeneas Ave. Reseda, Cal.” Usual folds. Fine.

Albert Einstein’s idea of God.

“I have repeatedly said that in my opinion the idea of a personal God is a childlike one… I prefer an attitude of humility corresponding to the weakness of our intellectual understanding of nature and of our own being.”

Einstein writes in full:
Dear Mr. Raner: I see with pleasure from your letter of the 25th that your convictions are near to my own. Trusting your sound judgment I authorize you to use my letter of July 1945 in any way you see fit. I have repeatedly said that in my opinion the idea of a personal God is a childlike one. You may call me an agnostic, but I do not share the crusading spirit of the professional atheist whose fervor is mostly due to a painful act of liberation from the fetters of religious indoctrination received in youth. I prefer an attitude of humility corresponding to the weakness of our intellectual understanding of nature and of our own being. Sincerely Yours, A. Einstein

Einstein stated that he discovered God in a compass as a tot, when he realized that something unseen and impalpable was making the needle move. There was a scientific process going on under the surface and within the substance of all things – and his unbounded admiration for the structure of the world, so far as science could reveal it, was what he meant when he used the word “God.” Here, Einstein rejects a personal God, but denies atheism, referring to himself as an agnostic, preferring an attitude of humility corresponding to the weakness of our intellectual understanding of nature and of our own being. The previous lot, the letter of July 1945, referenced by Einstein in this letter, began the dialog between Raner on this most fascinating subject of religion versus science. $15,000 - $25,000

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June 11, 2015 11:00 AM PDT
26662 Agoura Rd
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$50 $499 $25
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$2,000 $4,999 $250
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