Nikola Tesla was indeed raised in an Orthodox Christian family, However, as he grew up, his views on organized religion changed.
Though Tesla respected spirituality and deeply appreciated nature, he distanced himself from conventional religious beliefs, especially what he called “religious fanaticism.”
Nikola Tesla was born on 10 July 1856 in the village of Smiljan, within the Military Frontier in the Austrian Empire (present-day Croatia).
He is best known for his significant contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system.
Born and raised in the Austrian Empire, Nikola Tesla initially studied engineering and physics in the 1870s without obtaining a degree.
In the early 1880s, he gained practical experience in telephony and worked at Continental Edison in the emerging electric power industry.
In 1884, Nikola immigrated to the United States and became a naturalized citizen. Initially working briefly at the Edison Machine Works in New York City, he eventually ventured out on his own.
With the support of partners to fund and promote his ideas, he established laboratories and companies in New York to develop various electrical and mechanical devices.
Tesla’s breakthrough came with his development of the AC induction motor and related polyphase AC patents.
In 1888, Westinghouse Electric licensed these patents, bringing Tesla significant financial success. His inventions became fundamental to the polyphase system that Westinghouse Electric later marketed.
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Was Nikola Tesla Christian? Religion & Ethnicity
Nikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, and futurist, born on July 10, 1856.
He was born and raised in the Austrian Empire and was of ethnic Serb heritage. He was born in the village of Smiljan, located within the Military Frontier of the Austrian Empire, which is present-day Croatia.
His father, Milutin Tesla (1819–1879), was a priest of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Tesla’s mother, Đuka Mandić (1822–1892), also hailed from a family of Eastern Orthodox Church priests.
She possessed skills in crafting home tools and mechanical appliances, along with a remarkable ability to memorize Serbian epic poems.
Despite not receiving a formal education, Tesla's mother, Đuka, played a significant role in shaping his intellectual and creative capacities.
Tesla attributed his eidetic memory and inventive talents to his mother’s genetics and influence. The ancestral roots of Tesla’s family were in western Serbia, near Montenegro.
In 1863, Nikola Tesla experienced a traumatic event with the death of his brother, who passed away due to a riding accident.
This incident had a profound impact on Tesla, and it is suggested that he began to experience visions following this loss.
Some historians and biographers point to this period as one of the early signs of Tesla’s mental health challenges.
Tesla’s mental health became a complex aspect of his life, and throughout his later years, he faced various psychological struggles.
Reports suggest that he exhibited symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, had a strong aversion to germs, and was known for certain eccentric behaviors.
Tesla’s father encouraged him to pursue a career in priesthood, but Tesla’s true passion lay in the realm of science.
While there is limited information about Tesla’s religious beliefs, he did not identify as a traditional orthodox believer.
In his article “The Problem of Increasing Human Energy,” Tesla expressed admiration for both Buddhism and Christianity, making it unclear where his religious views aligned.
Tesla’s statements reflected a complex perspective—he sometimes leaned towards unity and oneness, reminiscent of Buddhist ideas, yet also expressed skepticism about religious concepts, even stating, “It might as well be said that God has properties.”
While Tesla is commonly regarded as an atheist due to his statements, there remains a possibility that he maintained connections to his Christian upbringing.
He acknowledged the influence of his mother, who taught him to seek truth in the Bible and spoke of the power of God’s word.
Despite these connections, Tesla’s religious stance remains ambiguous, showcasing a nuanced perspective incorporating elements from various philosophical and religious traditions.
Nikola Tesla Death Cause
In the autumn of 1937, at the age of 81, Tesla, following his routine of feeding pigeons, left the Hotel New Yorker after midnight.
While crossing a street near the hotel, he was struck by a moving taxicab, resulting in severe injuries.
Tesla suffered a wrenched back and three broken ribs in the accident. Despite the extent of his injuries remaining unknown, Tesla, consistent with his lifelong practice, declined to seek medical attention, and his recovery was never complete.
On 7 January 1943, at the age of 86, Tesla passed away alone in Room 3327 of the Hotel New Yorker.
The discovery of his body was made by maid Alice Monaghan, who entered Tesla’s room despite the “do not disturb” sign he had placed on his door two days earlier.
Assistant medical examiner H.W. Wembley examined Tesla’s body and determined that the cause of death was coronary thrombosis, a type of heart attack.
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