Aubrey Thurman
Writing 2
Science Unit
“Religion and Science”
Einstein focuseshis essay on the argument that people in society need religion for the wrong reasons. He argues that religion is used to respond toman’s fear, calling it the “religion of fear.” When man was primitive and his concerns were limited to survival, religion was used to explain existence and provide spiritual comfort or protection. People feel afraid and alone, and therefore “the desire for guidance, love and support prompts men to form the social or moral conception of God” (Einstein, 453). Today, however, religion has changed due to the fact people’s needs have changed. Those in power use religious messages to persuade their followers for their own political and financial power. Einstein describes his own {text:change-start} experience of {text:change-end} {text:change-start} “cosmic {text:change-end} religious feeling {text:change-start} ” {text:change-end} that {text:change-start} , although {text:change-end} he {text:change-start} acknowledges cannot be quantified {text:change-end} {text:change-start} , {text:change-end} {text:change-start} i {text:change-end} {text:change-start} s supported by the experien {text:change-end} {text:change-start} c {text:change-end} {text:change-start} es of other {text:change-end} {text:change-start} highly intelligent individuals throughout history. {text:change-end} {text:change} {text:change}
The papers share the common goal of attempting to define both religion and science. How each author defines these terms illustrates the differences in their writing styles. In defining religion, Einstein broadly describes some of the beliefs and traits that may be possessed by a religion’s God. He asserts that the traits of one’s God, such as the comfort or punishment it may provide, demonstrate the desires or needs of that religion’s followers. Russell’s definition, on the other hand, is very specific. He writes that most religions are made up of...