Losing my religion

Prof Colin Pritchard, of Southampton, was raised in a Methodist family: “During a crisis of my adolescence, actually after the death of my mother I became very religious.”

Prof Pritchard left the church when he became 25: “I’d describe myself almost as secular priest but I must admit that as a psychiatric social worker I’m still inspired by my Methodist background.

“One of the great things that my previous religious background gave me is the sense of purpose and the sense of desire to serve.”

Prof Pritchard says that we don’t need religion to have a moral life: “Some people need their religion, what I object to is when they persecute other people outside their religion, but I actually see them as rather undeveloped intellectually and if I may say spiritually.”

There are two purposes in life: one to live a full life and to perpetuate life, exercise all the talents, I’ll become part of stardust, we do love ourselves and is something we have to give up, nothing last forever, not even our planets so why should we?

When Prof Pritchard talks about religions he gets very excited about it, although he knows the topic is a very sensitive one: “Seriously you have to be careful, you don’t want to offend”

For instance, listen to his opinion about the Christian God…

Atheism or Humanism?... (read more)