There is a root arrogance in any writer; a hugely arrogant assumption that anyone is going to listen to them.

When people say, you know, 'Good teacher,' 'Prophet,' 'Really nice guy'... this is not how Jesus thought of Himself. So you're left with a challenge in that, which is either Jesus was who he said he was or a complete and utter nut case. You have to make a choice on that.

The most powerful idea that's entered the world in the last few thousand years - the idea of grace - is the reason I would like to be a Christian.

You've got to watch the politics of AIDS. The politics of AIDS can work both for and against the victims of AIDS.

Marriage is this grand madness, and I think if people knew that, they would perhaps take it more seriously.

Christians are hard to tolerate; I don’t know how Jesus does it

Poverty breeds despair. We know this. Despair breeds violence. We know this. In turbulent times, isn't it cheaper, and smarter, to make friends out of potential enemies than to defend yourself against them later?