Einstein "God Letter" Auction on Ebay; Starting Bid $3 Million
A letter from Albert Einstein discussing his views on God is looking to fetch big money in an Ebay auction.
The "God letter" was handwritten on Princeton University letterhead and was done the year before the famous physicist died in 1955. In it Einstein talks about religion, tribalism and his doubts about the existence of God.
"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," wrote Einstein.
The letter will be put on eBay with a starting bid of $3 million. This isn't the first time it was auctioned off: four years earlier it went up for bid selling at $404,000. It's current owner is trying to get more for his money this time around.
The original recipient of the letter was Erik Gutkind. Einstein read Gutkind's book "Choose Life: The Biblical Call to Revolt" and wanted to express some of his feelings on it.
The letter continues to say the following: "For me the Jewish religion like all other religions is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions. And the Jewish people to whom I gladly belong and with whose mentality I have a deep affinity have no different quality for me than all other people.
"As far as my experience goes, they are also no better than other human groups, although they are protected from the worst cancers by a lack of power. Otherwise I cannot see anything 'chosen' about them."
Since it was last purchased at auction, the letter has been kept in the proper temperature and containment to keep it in the best condition. The letter will include the envelope with stamp and postmark for whomever buys the unique piece of history.
The bidding starts on Oct. 8 and will end on Oct. 18.
"With friendly thanks and best wishes, Yours, A. Einstein," ended the German Nobel Prize winner.