Albert Einstein on Christianity

Albert Einstein on Cristianity.

If one purges the Judaism of the profets and Cristianity as Jesus Crist tort it of all subsequent additions, especially those of the priests; one is left with a teaching which is capable of curing all the social ills of humanity.

It is the duty of every man of good will to strive steadfastly in his own little world, to make this teaching of pure humanity a living force, so far as he can.

If he makes an honest attempt in this direction without being crushed and trampled underfoot by his contemporaries, he may consider himself and the community to which he belongs lucky.

Albert Einstein, 1934.

This is praise indeed. Even though I now believe Christiaity to be mistaken, it can still constitute a force for good in some of its ethical teachings.
One man who tried to purge it of a false belief about human nature a very long time ago was Pelagius.

Associated today with heresy and a belief in free will, I discuss this figure a little in this viewpoint blog.

Discussion of Pelagius

One of the best discussions of Pelagius and his story occurs in
"The Offshore Islanders: A HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH PEOPLE" (1972).

This excellent book is once again by the historian Paul Johnson.

Augustinianism is FAR WORSE than Pelagianism

The Augustinian Doctrine of Original Sin and what follows from it - presents us with FAR MORE problems than Pelagianism.

Pelagianism has contemporary relevance outside of Theology!

Pelagianism has contemporary relevance outside of Theology!

Pelagianism came to mean the belief in Free Will.
Determinism came to be another word for the belief that we do not have such a thing.
ID EST - that all that we do is determined ultimately or in entirety by factors other than our own free will - which is not usually believed to exist at all in full Determinism.

Thomas Szasz is regarded as the Heretic of Psychiatry  - in the same way that Pelagius was regarded as the Heretic of the fundamental Cristian doctrine on Free Will.

Both are right.

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In conventional Psychiatry the so-called "Mentally Ill" cannot but behave - have no choice but to behave - in the way dictated to or stipulated by their non-existent "Disorder".

Szasz simply points out that all behavior must be chosen and that "Mental Illness" does not and cannot exist.

Pelagius pointed out that Augustine's TOTALLY FALSE doctrine of Original Sin - which dominated and scarred Cristianity for centuries - has no basis AT ALL in Scripture.


Pelagius was one of history's "losers" for centuries - in the sense that Augustine's doctrine was what was taught so prominently - making a mockery of the religion.

But his attempts to preserve true Crisitianity were not in vain. For the truth was on his side.

Well the truth is also on Szasz's side.
 We can only hope that it prevails sooner than Pelagius's truth does in Cristianity.

In neither case is the required simple reform completed.

In the case of "Psychiatry" reform must - I am afraid - mean its termination. Obviously so.

In the case of Cristianity - the extinction of the false doctrine of Original Sin - could save the religion.

This is not something I personally desire, since I see Christianity as mistaken.


Both the Doctrine of "Mental Illness" and the Doctrine of "Original Sin" are extremely useful for controlling and dominating people, and making them believe in their own individual powerlessness.

Interesting!

PELAGIUS rightly opposed the FALSE DOCTRINE of "Original Sin."

PELAGIUS rightly opposed the FALSE DOCTRINE of "Original Sin.

The 6th century British filosofer, theologian, ascetic and activist - Pelagius was not a heretic in Christian terms.

"Original Sin" does not exist, cannot exist, never existed and is nowhere to be found in the Bible.

Pelagius the NON-HERETIC

Pelagius (fl. c. 390-418) the Non-Heretic ascetic rejected the NON-BIBLICAL
Augustinian Doctrine of "Original Sin".

The doctrine of "Original Sin" is not in the Bible and is not Cristian.

This false doctrine is presently taught by most Cristian denominations - and also by Alcoholics Anonymous - who insist to all their new arrivals that they have no control over their drinking.

Obviously people chose every drink. There is no such thing as an "alcoholic".

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The cartoon below iz a "Teology" fail -  becoz "People are naturally good" is NOT what Pelagius said.

He said merely what we all know to be true but which is denied openly by the lie of Christianity AND by the lie of "Psychiatry".

That truth - which we all know is true and yet we allow the culture around us to deny - is simply that - we choose our deeds. ID EST - generally speaking, we have free will.

On the other hand, Augustine DID say something like - "People are naturally bad."
Of course this is equally mistaken, I would say.

The error is serious and negatively affects Cristianity and hence our whole culture today.


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Incidentally in German the piece of language

"Rejection of the Doctrine of Original Sin"

is translated into:

Ablehnung der Erbsündenlehre.

or in French:

"Le rejet de la doctrine du péché originel."

The French SYNTAX is LONGER (8 Words for the German 3) , YET perhaps SIMPLER and CLEARER.

Do you agree?

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In the past, Latin was a universal language and / or lingua franca of Christian Europe....... certainly of European education.
Latin was quite a SYNTHETIC rather than an ANALYTIC language itself. Like German!

Obviously I don't advocate returning to Latin - I am just discussing the issue. Nor am I meaning to criticise the German language.

"MORTAL SIN"

"MORTAL SIN" - ANOTHER DEADLY MISTAKE BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

"MORTAL SIN" - ALSO OBVIOUSLY COMPLETE NONSENSE.

Not present IN ANY WAY in Old or New Testament.