Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2000 20:37:57 -0600
From: FAROOQM@xxxxxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)Subject: Einstein, Zionism and Israel: Setting the Record Straight!
**************** A Shetubondhon Exclusive *****************
Salam and greetings.
I was very disturbed by seeing some messages on various Bangladeshi forums (except this forum, Shetubondhon: http://www.shetubondhon.org ) related to the topic of voting or not-voting for the Prophet Muhammad on opinion polls, in which Einstein has been referred to as "racist" and "Zionist". That Albert Einstein was a supporter of Zionism and, as such, a supporter of the movement for the establishment of the State of Israel, and subsequently, a supporter of the same State after its establishment, is a common MYTH. Thus, characterization of Einstein as "racist" or "Zionist" may simply be the result of effectiveness of the Zionist media in sustaining the MYTH as some of us may have been duped like so many others.
This myth is perpetuated by the Zionist, pro-Israel media. Their motive to distort the public perception of Einstein by portraying him as a pro-Zionist, pro-Israel personality is understandable. The tactics and methods of such distortion of facts and reality in regard to Israel and its allies or adversaries are just all too well-known. ... It's a trap so difficult to avoid.
In this age of internet, try to search ("all the words" option) on Einstein zionism or Einstein Israel, and you will see that virtually all the apparently relevant entries that appear at the top present Einstein as a pro-Zionism, pro-Israel person. If someone did not probe beyond what is customarily available and did not do additional due diligence, one can be easily duped. ...
As a Muslim I want no part of misinformation, ill-information, or ignorance about me or my faith. Of course, I have a better chance of expecting that if from me as a Muslim, others can expect no less. Furthermore, as a Muslim I am also duty-bound to act consistently in regard to others - Jews, Christians, Hindus, Agnostics, or Atheists.
Thus, I did not want to let this opportunity pass by, as I saw current discussion referring to Einstein, to make my little contribution to put some material online to set the record about him straight. I did not find any material online that challenges the long sustained MYTH about Einstein. Based on my previous readings, I remembered about Einstein otherwise.
I have put together an article at my personal homepage (http://www.globalfront.com/farooqm/writings/other/einstein.htm ), which you can visit if you are interested in better understanding the myth.
Albert Einstein was one of the greatest humanists. He was avowedly agnostic and secular; he did reflect on religion that is worth understanding and appreciating. He did not believe in any religion (or institutionalized religion), not even Judaism. However, what the adherents of the respective religions, including Islam, have made their religion to be - much contrary to the intent of their divine teachers (prophets) - one should not be surprised that so many decent and conscientious people are turned off even at the thought of religion. I, as a Muslim and based on my own faith, respect the right of those of the adherents of other faith, including those who might not profess any specific faith in a religion. Thus, if conscientiously Einstein could not go beyond being an agnostic, may God judge him. I have no right to be derogatory about his identity.
People, like Einstein, do not belong to any specific country. They are heritage of the entire humanity. Einstein felt it that way. Whether he was an agnostic, or a Jew, or secularist, I have nothing but respect for him - as being members of this humanity we are tied to the human bond. From the DOCUMENTED material from Dr. Lillienthal's monumental and authoritative book (he is a Jew too), here are some of the excerpts you can read that is included in that article.
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"... I also personally endeavored to set the Times' record straight on one rather important matter--the exploitation of Dr. Albert Einstein by the Zionist movement. ... This "kidnapping" of Einstein for Israel was one of the most extraordinary coups ever perpetrated by any political group anywhere, but with the help of the omnipotent Times anything is possible. The great mathematician had vigorously opposed the creation of the State of Israel, but a myth to the contrary has been widely spawned by the media, and was repeated sixteen years later. ...
... Einstein stated: "The State idea is not according to me heart. I cannot understand why it is needed. It is connected with narrow-mindedness and economic obstacles. I believe that it is bad. I have always been against it." ...
... Einstein then told me that he had never been a Zionist and had never favored the creation of the State of Israel. ...
Albert Einstein, Sidney Hook, Hannah Arendt, and Seymour Milman were among the signatories to this letter, which appeared in the Times on December 4, 1948.
Among the most disturbing political phenomena of our time is the emergence in the newly created state of Israel of the "Freedom Party" . . . a political party closely akin in its organization, methods, political philosophy, and social appeal to the Nazi and Fascist parties. ... A shocking example was their behavior in the Arab village of Deir Yassin . . . this incident exemplified the character and actions of the Freedom Party. Within the Jewish community they have preached an admixture of ultra-nationalism, religious mysticism, and racial superiority."
******************** end of excerpts *******************
In regard to Religious Feeling in Science, Einstein said, "Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe-a spirit vastly superior to that of man.... In this way the pursuit of science leads to a religious feeling of a special sort, which is indeed quite different from the religiosity of someone more naive." [Letter to a child who asked if scientists pray, January 24, 1936; Einstein Archive 42-601 [ http://condor.stcloudstate.edu/~lesikar/einstein/short.html ]
There are also lessons from Einstein for those who do not want to follow any religion. Einstein as wise, as genius, as scientific, as agnostic, or as secular he was, he never lost his wit, grace, or a tone of mutual respect for others including those who adhere to certain faith/religion. Intolerance and mutual disrespect serve no positive purpose. You can hardly find any statement from him that is derogatory toward the word "religion" or the adherents of religions, the way these days it is so common among the scientifically-inclined people. In a way as his statement above about religion and science shows, his approach was that of a bridge-builder (Shetubondhok) without yielding an inch to others as far as his conviction is concerned.
As a Muslim I also believe that it is only by offering due respect to and showing appreciation of those who conscientiously turn toward agnosticism, atheism, or whatever their choice of faith, that the Muslims can come together to build an environment of tolerance, mutual respect, and may be even cooperation for good cause.
Who will extend the hand first to shake with the other side? The ones with greater grace and understanding. Or, may be there is a better alternative. The real handshakes are when both sides extend their hands simultaneously to each other. May Shetubondhon be a conducive factor in this regard.
Of course, the actual article contains lot more than the above excerpts. Your feedback on this is most welcome.
Best regards.
Farooq
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Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq
Upper Iowa University
Homepage: http://www.globalfront.com/farooqm
Nazrul Site: http://www.globalfront.com/nazrul