A lot of criticism is leveled at Alan Watts, by people who point out how he conveyed many oversimplifications of religious teachings, or ideas that seem to be misunderstandings of teachings from an academic point of view.

I think what those people are either missing or ignoring is that his main motivation was to be a spiritual entertainer, as he described it, and I believe he's best interpreted and understood that way as well.

If people want to learn a rigorous deep understanding of certain philosophies and spiritual beliefs, there are innumerable other ways to dive into this, and better people to listen to. To me, his conveyance of ideas is better suited to impart interesting and different ways of looking at the world in a general manner and to pique one's imagination, not to learn spiritual concepts in a rigorous way.

I always felt he succeeded in that way, simply by attracting more people towards an interest in a spirituality and philosophy, and giving a starting point from which they can pursue serious ideas if their interest is sustained.