Everybody is entitled to believe. Churches have exactly the same right to exist as a football club, a trade union or a political party. But if you and I set up the Church of the Fairies of the Garden, then I don't think we should automatically be meeting the queen, be entitled to seats in the House of Lords or get public money for our fairy schools.

The media no longer hesitate to whip up lurid anxieties in order to increase sales, in the process undermining social confidence and multiplying fears.

...mastery of the emotions is fundamental to a virtuous life.

I despise people who depend on these things [heroin and cocaine]. If you really want a mind-altering experience, look at a tree.

To believe something in the face of evidence and against reason - to believe something by faith - is ignoble, irresponsible and ignorant, and merits the opposite of respect.

Religions survive mainly because they brainwash the young.

Middle age has been defined as what happens when a person's broad mind and narrow waist change places.