“Spinoza was the first to apply with strict consistency the idea of an all-pervasive determinism to human thought, feeling, and action. In my opinion, his point of view has not gained general acceptance by all those striving for clarity and logical rigor only because it requires not only consistency of thought, but also unusual integrity, magnamity, and — modesty.”
Albert Einstein
Although I guess I was a pantheist for a time in between religion and agnosticism I now think it causes a lot more problems than it solves. Einstein's quotes about god caused too much controversy about what he really believed. The religious even now swear that Einstein was a Christian even when he stated clearly that he was not. The same can be said for Stephen Hawkins. It's best to say clearly what you mean, something that even the religious can understand. Spinoza historically has importance but using Spinoza's type of language today is just too confusing. I can actually say that on this one very small point, I disagree with Einstein.,