The thing about religion is that it's the first and the worst. The worst because it's the first.

I have often thought that when I do die it will be of sheer boredom.

To terrify children with the image of hell, to consider women an inferior creation - is that good for the world?

Philosophy begins where religion ends, just as by analogy chemistry begins where alchemy runs out, and astronomy takes the place of astrology.

As the cleansing ocean closes over bin Laden's carcass, may the earth lie lightly on the countless graves of those he sentenced without compunction to be burned alive or dismembered in the street.

Cheap booze is a false economy.

I sympathize afresh with the mighty Voltaire who, when badgered on his deathbed and urged to renounce the devil, murmured that this was no time to be making enemies.