Uriel Acosta (Acosta Uriel)

(1590-1647)
Born in Oporto (Portugal) in 1590, died in Amsterdam in 1647. Father Acosta was Marrane, after his death the family moved to Amsterdam. Hoping to return to the origins of biblical faith, Acosta rejected the teachings of the rabbis. He wrote a book in Portuguese, which denied the immortality of the soul. Because of the heretical views Acosta was arrested by the city authorities, who found it distasteful and teachings of the Christian and Jewish faith, and his book was publicly burned. Later he became a member of the Jewish community, but could not accept the traditional teachings and was excommunicated. During the seven years he lived as a renegade, and then reconciled with the synagogue, but dissent was again driven. Acosta committed suicide, leaving behind an autobiography example of human life (Exemplar humanae vitae, 1687).