Albert Einstein and his general theory of relativity, that effecting a revolution in physics is known worldwide. Some also know that he called himself an agnostic, criticized positive atheism, and opted for Spinoza’s god over belief in personal god. Now, his thoughts and views on sensitive matters such as God, religion and tribalism in the form of handwritten letter is set to go at online auction on eBay from October 8 and 18, 2012, with an astounding opening bid of $3 million, auction agency Auction Cause has announced.
“$3 million Einstein letter auction on @ebay starting 10/8. It lends itself to amazing conversation on God & Judaism,” the agency, known to run eBay-based auctions for celebrities, brands and non-profit organisations, tweeted.
This genius and the Nobel Prize-winning physicist wrote the letter in 1954, a year before his death. The letter, which is in German and written on paper with the Princeton University’s letterhead has been addressed to and meant for the ewish philosopher Erik B. Gutkind, the author of a book named Choose Life: The Biblical Call to Revolt.
“…The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation, no matter how subtle, can (for me) change this,”Einstein wrote.
The anonymous seller of the letter, which will be auctioned with the original envelope, stamp and postmark, purchased it from Bloomsbury Auctions in London in 2008 for $404,000.
“This letter, in my opinion, is really of historical and cultural significance as these are the personal and private thoughts of arguably the smartest man of the 20th century,” Eric Gazin, the president of Auction Cause, told Reuters.
He added this was the “most historically significant item to come” since he started managing high profile auctions in 2005. “So much of what we know [about Einstein] is scientific…As related to God and Judaism, this is so significant. It really lends itself to further study,” Gazin said.
