For some years I deserted religion in favour of Marxism. The republic of goodness seemed more attainable than the Kingdom of God.

Some of the parables of the Kingdom made wonderful sense, but the exclusivity in the New Testament put me off.

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.

The secular world is more spiritual than it thinks, just as the ecclesiastical world is more materialist than it cares to acknowledge.

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

To my surprise, my 70s are nicer than my 60s and my 60s than my 50s, and I wouldn't wish my teens and 20s on my enemies.