But actually so many of the clerics that I've met particularly the Church of England clerics are people of such extraordinary smugness and arrogance and conceitedness who are extraordinarily presumptuous about the significance of their position in society.

My training in Science of Mind had begun with my mother. She took me to a different church every Sunday and she encouraged me to question the minister afterward.

In the post-enlightenment Europe of the 19th century the highest authority was no longer the Church. Instead it was science. Thus was born racial anti-Semitism based on two disciplines regarded as science in their day - the 'scientific study of race' and the Social Darwinism of Herbert Spencer and Ernst Haeckel.

The church saves sinners but science seeks to stop their manufacture.

A Church which has lost its memory is in a sad state of senility.

What I'd say about that is that we must respect homosexuals in the church. I've got many homosexual friends the issue is not in any way a homophobic reaction on my part.

I certainly respect other people's opinions but I would not vote for a woman to be the pastor of a church.

I think people often come to the synagogue mosque the church looking for God and what we give them is religion.

What I miss today more than anything else - I don't go to church as much anymore - but that old-time religion that old singing that old praying which I love so much. That is the great strength of my being of my writing.

The Coptic Church respects the law but it does not accept rulings that go against the Bible and our freedom of religion.