On this Christmas day it would seem blasphemous to be reading about Einstein, Freud and Spinoza's belief about God. Basically Einstein and Spinoza do not consider God to be a personal figure but more like a cosmic deity. I am currently reading a book entitled "The Reason for Life" by Waltenegus Dargie. The book explores the beliefs of Freud, Einstein, Tolstoy and Dostoevsky on the significance of God and the purpose of human life.
From the book I learnt a new word 'Pantheism' which is the concept that the physical universe is the immanent deity. I kind of orientate towards this theory.
I have just started reading and in no considered order have found the following statements bearing some truths:
Freud maintains the claims of religion are essentially the product of psychic externalisation. Human beings have affinity for religion because either they are fearful of life or yearn to be unified with the world.
Einstein calls the scientific longing to unravel the mystery of creation and thereby experience God, a cosmic religious feeling... Persons who are induced by a cosmic religious feeling seek God dispassionately with no wish for a reward or gain. A god who rewards and punishes human actions in inconceivable to them.....He maintains that the primary reason for a religion based on a personal God is existential fear.
I sometimes think it doesn't really matter whether it is the divine universe or the personal God. At moments when you feel the Love or some mystical wonder you have a momentary glimpse of the truth.
No comments:
Post a Comment