Source: Flavorwire

In 1936, a sixth grade girl named Phyllis wrote to esteemed scientist Albert Einstein on behalf of her Sunday school class to ask him whether or not scientists pray. This seems like a rather advanced question for a sixth grade class to be asking, perhaps, but maybe it’s just a universal one: the true question — whether it’s possible to be religious and also fully believe in science — is still relevant to many people today. Einstein responds “as simply” as he can, which is to say, not particularly simply at all, though since these sixth graders are already established as somewhat precocious, maybe they took it in with no trouble. We admit that we had to read it twice. We’re not quite sure if he answered her original query, though. That Einstein, always dodging the hard questions.

The Riverside Church

January 19, 1936

My dear Dr. Einstein,

We have brought up the question: Do scientists pray? in our Sunday school class. It began by asking whether we could believe in both science and religion. We are writing to scientists and other important men, to try and have our own question answered.

We will feel greatly honored if you will answer our question: Do scientists pray, and what do they pray for?

We are in the sixth grade, Miss Ellis’s class.

Respectfully yours,

Phyllis

Einstein’s response:

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