Religious authorities

Spinoza, one of the great philosophers on the continent questioned what the religious authorities had taught. He was summoned to appear before the authorities. He was asked to defend himself. He denied and tried to explain many things in the scriptures which had been wrongly interpreted by the Jewish religious authorities. He was ex-communicated. When his life was threatened, he took refuge in circumstances, but he eked out his livelihood by honest toil. He believed that all-will or animosity towards anyone who spread evil rumors about him. The greatness of his moral teaching has been recognized by the world, though the orthodox society of his day viewed him with hatred and suspicion.