In the first discussion in the Uncertain Minds series, the Guardian's editor, Alan Rusbridger, spoke with Karen Armstrong, the historian of religion. It was an exchange that explored the nature of religious belief and practice, during which Rusbridger made what I thought was a striking confession. He plays the piano every day.
He explained that he doesn't much go to church, though he was a chorister in his youth. He often enjoys speaking with religious people as their ethical concerns overlap with his values – notwithstanding the objectionable views some churches have towards women and gay people. He finds himself at Quaker meetings on occasion too, appreciating their agnostic and democratic spirit. But it was the piano-playing that struck me. Why should he offer regular piano-playing, apparently as a quasi-spiritual practice?
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