What was Albert Einstein's response to his teacher about God not existing?

Answer 1

The following supposed discussion between a student and a school teacher have sometimes been attributed to the young Albert Einstein. In some cases, the second party is described as an arrogant, atheist university professor, with the student (Einstein) asking the relevant questions of the professor. TEACHER: Does cold exist? STUDENT: No sir. Physics - cold is the total and complete opposite of the TEACHER: There is darkness! STUDENT: No sir. Darkness is the total absence of light. You can study light and brightness, but not darkness. Light causes prisms to show color. TEACHER: Did God create evil? STUDENT: No sir, God did not create evil. Evil is the absence of God in people's hearts. It is the absence of love, humanity and faith. Love and faith are like heat and light. They exist! Their absence led to evil!

This is typical of the urban myth genre and can not actually be regarded as a real conversation between Albert and his former teacher or university professor. Einstein admitted to being a mediocre student and did not become famous until quite some time after finishing his studies. How likely is it that a former teacher would so accurately remember a short conversation that took place decades earler with an undistinguished student? Moreover, in his Autobiographical Notes, Einstein stated that his "deep religiosity" as a Jewish child ended at the age of 12 when he developed a sceptical attitude towards God.

Answer 2

There is no reliable record of Albert Einstein's response to a teacher saying that God doesn't exist. However, throughout his life, Einstein expressed a belief in a universal spirit or intelligence that transcended human understanding and often referred to this as God. He was critical of organized religion but maintained a sense of awe and wonder about the universe.