Praying privately in churches, I began to discover that heaven was my true home and also that it was here and now, woven into this life.

I found that when I did something for the sake of heaven, heaven happened. These things changed my life. I owe them to my encounter with Christianity.

If a dish doesn't turn out right, change the name and don't bat an eyelid. A fallen souffle is only a risen omelette. It depends on the self-confidence with which you present it.

I thought of such Christian inventions as the ghetto and the Jewish badge of shame. The Nazis didn't have to go very far to pick up their know-how.

Early on I saw the repression and idolatry of Stalinism, and when it cracked, I was open to religion again.

The Christian use of religion as a personal love affair both shocked me, and attracted me.

Because of my Marxism, I was not into myths or miracles, whether it was the virgin birth, the physical resurrection or casting out demons from an epileptic.