No sooner had I published my most recent posting, on bishops, I saw that John Hick has died. His obituaries show in detail how he too had to endure his developing views falling foul of church authorities, in his case the United Reform church. Like Richard Holloway he drifted away from the categorical belief systems to find a mooring in gentler waters.
I met John Hick at a seminar in 1965 and have read several of his books and articles since, always with admiration. He it was who pointed out that all the great religions share at least one moral directive: Do unto others as you would want them to do to you.
“God” may be this or that, or not exist at all as we understand the word ‘exist’, but our obligation is clear, and it is other-directed. God in us, for God in others.
