Pops,
1.) He really didn’t make statements “outside of his domain”
In a way it was. I agree he spoke from a scientific perspective, however, there is a entire philosophical aspect as well, which he should have taken in consideration ? (e.g. why are we here? why only this planet etc) . Religion was really never based on”scientific” evident it is “believing”…
We believe, as that is the way it was handed down to us by our forefathers, going back all the way to Moses and the revelation our forefathers witnessed at Mt Sinai.
2.) “The idea that religion is necessary for morality is ridiculous”
There are many strong arguments disputing that as well. I am speaking from a philosophical perspective, like “why do I really have to care about anyone else” each person is on his own, etc. Who decides what is correct or not?
“the least suffering and highest quality of life for their inhabitants” the same research will prove, these people are NOT happy with their life of materialism. So how do you define a “quality life” ? Research has proven there are many religious societies, who live much more of a meaningful and happy life, despite living a very simple lifestyle. What is the rate of suicide in these “highest quality of life” countries?
3.) Agreed.
4.) “Einstein was for all practical purposes and Atheist”
That is incorrect. Perhaps you can call him an Agnostic, but he never declared himself as an Atheist.
I will quote his words:
“There is harmony in the cosmos which I, with my limited human mind, am able to recognise, yet there are people who say there is no God. But what really makes me angry is that they quote me to support such views.”
(The Expanded Quotable Einstein, Princeton University, page 214)
“This firm belief in a superior mind that reveals itself in the world of experience, represents my conception of God.”
(Albert Einstein, Ideas and Opinions (New York: Random House 1954), p.255