Christianity Quote by Yuval Noah Harari
““The Theory of Relativity makes nobody angry because it doesn't contradict any of our cherished beliefs. Most people don't care an iota whether space and time are absolute or relative. If you think it is possible to bend space and time, well be my guest. ...In contrast, Darwin has deprived us of our souls. If you really understand the Theory of Evolution, you understand that there is no soul. This is a terrifying thought, not only to devote Christians and Muslims, but also to many secular people who don't hold any clear religious dogma, but nevertheless, want to believe that each human possess an eternal, individual essence that remains unchanged throughout life and can survive even death intact.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, 2014
The quote contrasts how relativity is socially benign while evolution challenges deep-seated beliefs about the soul, unsettling both religious and secular people.
In simple terms: Evolution threatens belief in an eternal soul, causing discomfort across belief systems.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that scientific ideas can unsettle core identities.
Themes
science
belief
existence
comfort
identity
Mood
thoughtful
provocative
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- education
- public discourse
- personal reflection
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
relativity
evolution
philosophy
theology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile scientific understanding with personal meaning?
- Can belief in a soul be metaphorical rather than literal?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue that scientific explanations can coexist with spiritual meaning.
![“It is ironic that Einsteins most creative work, the general theory of relativity, should boil down to conceptualizing space as a medium when his original premise [in special relativity] was that no such medium existed [..]…” quote by Robert B. Laughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c7e/robert-b-laughlin-24580_creative_it-is-ironic-that-einsteins-most-creativ_926557.jpg)
![“No one must think that Newton’s great creation can be overthrown in any real sense by this [Theory of Relativity] or by any other theory. His clear and wide ideas will for ever retain their significance as the foundation on which our modern conceptions of physics have been built.” quote by Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a7a/albert-einstein-33_built_no-one-must-think-that-newton-s-great-cr_591691.jpg)
