Bruce Anderson

The bottle I’m most looking forward to pouring

iStock 
issue 11 February 2023

There is one advantage to a stay in hospital followed by confinement to barracks: time to read and to think. I have devoted a lot of thought to great topics; do I hear ‘sublime’ and ‘ridiculous’? My two subjects have been the existence of God and the prospects of the Tories winning the next election.

I have become fed up with hearing about serious bottles and not partaking

God first. I have reaffirmed the conclusion which I’ve held for many years. There is no route from reason to faith. You either believe or not. I remain someone who is deeply religious by temperament but who cannot believe. There it is.

Recently, on the subject of religious observance, there has been some debate in the press. There have been complaints that the clergy, on great occasions such as high masses, were resplendent in their dress. Our Lord presumably dressed like a mendicant friar. Surely the clergy should follow His example.

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in