The institutions that claim to represent God, when they are not ignored altogether, are treated like other human institutions that have to earn their right to a hearing by the value of what they say, and not by virtue of who is saying it. Today, authority has to earn respect by the intrinsic value of what it says, not by the force of its imposition.

When a popular phenomenon reaches the cover of 'Time,' it is already out of fashion.

Simplicity, clarity, singleness: These are the attributes that give our lives power and vividness and joy as they are also the marks of great art. They seem to be the purpose of God for his whole creation.

The wrong question to ask of a myth is whether it is true or false. The right question is whether it is living or dead, whether it still speaks to our condition.

The use of God in moral debate is so problematic as to be almost worthless.

Meditation on the majestic energyof the universe should increase our love for humanity, should widen, not narrow, our hearts.

Religion is the most powerful alternative to God.