WHY I AM STILL A CHRISTIAN...

“For the normative self-understanding of modernity, Christianity has functioned as more than just a precursor or catalyst. Universalistic egalitarianism, from which sprang the ideals of freedom and a collective life in solidarity, the autonomous conduct of life and emancipation, the individual morality of conscience, human rights and democracy, is the direct legacy of the Judaic ethic of justice and the Christian ethic of love. This legacy, substantially unchanged, has been the object of a continual critical reappropriation and reinterpretation. Up to this very day there is no alternative to it. And in light of the current challenges of a post-national constellation, we must draw sustenance now, as in the past, from this substance. Everything else is idle postmodern talk.”
― Jürgen Habermas

Bertrand Russell is my favourite philosopher and always will be.

Many years ago when I began my personal search for truth and wisdom  I tried Rene Descartes who was too much for my untrained and unschooled brain and Karl Popper who repulsed me after page one and always has done. so much so that I could only read the commentaries and under duress when we studied him at Uni as an undrgraduate. And make no mistake you have to be schooled before you can read philosophy. Its not womens weakly or hotrod monthly or staying up all night airing my opinions. 

There are abstract concepts that will take several readings before any sense can be extracted from the sometimes dense prose.

When at last I found Russell then I knew I had found what I was looking for.

Some of Russells  immense output can be attempted by the general reader without much trepidation including his essay "Why I  Am Not A Christian". I can agree with every premise but reject the conclusion.

I understand his reasons and understand the logic but still it is not even faith that confirms not my belief but the way I want to live and be.

The above quote from Jurger Habermas suffices to fill all the gaps. We are what we are from what has gone before and as for christianity if we dont have that then we have nothing.

I have had opportunities to play rock and roll and other immature occupations. 

I have been patronised, talked down to, tripped up by, lied about, calumny heaped upon me by the local varieties of god botherers and have ceased going to their church but still my search for the word of god and the eternal verities is necessary and sufficient for a decent spiritual life.