Albert Einstein didn't believe in any sort of "personal god," but he did recognize that such a belief was popular because it could provide solace and guidance to people. Many are comforted by the idea that a supernatural being created them, cares about them, and wants the best for them. Unfortunately, there are many problems with such a belief, problems which Einstein did not hesitate to point out in his many critiques of traditional theism and theistic religion.
In Science and Religion (1941), Albert Einstein argues that belief in a personal god which is active in the natural world is the primary source of conflict between religion and science:
Nobody, certainly, will deny that the idea of the existence of an omnipotent, just, and omnibeneficent personal God is able to accord man solace, help, and guidance; also, by virtue of its simplicity it is accessible to the most undeveloped mind. But, on the other hand, there are decisive weaknesses attached to this idea in itself, which have been painfully felt since the beginning of history.
That is, if this being is omnipotent, then every occurrence, including every human action, every human thought, and every human feeling and aspiration is also His work; how is it possible to think of holding men responsible for their deeds and thoughts before such an almighty Being? In giving out punishment and rewards He would to a certain extent be passing judgment on Himself. How can this be combined with the goodness and righteousness ascribed to Him?
The main source of the present-day conflicts between the spheres of religion and of science lies in this concept of a personal God.
If there is an omnipotent god which is ultimately responsible for all events that occur in the entire universe, where would this leave the principle of natural causation of natural events? If everything is in reality the product of supernatural causation - if such a concept is even coherent - much of what scientists take for granted in their observations must be false.
Regularity in nature, for example, cannot be due to the workings of natural laws but instead because this god is simply choosing to be consistent. At any moment, things could proceed very differently and we wouldn't know how or why. Methodological naturalism - the principle that we should seek natural causes for natural events - is what drives modern science and makes it so effective. The existence of an omnipotent god would be contrary to all this.
Perhaps this is why so many conservative Christians are trying so hard to overturn methodological naturalism and modern science? None of them mention Albert Einstein in this context, but it seems plausible that they would recognize the strength of his critique and rather than side with scientific progress as Einstein did, they would side with the regressive forces of religious traditionalism.
