The institutions that claim to represent God, when they are not ignored altogether, are treated like other human institutions that have to earn their right to a hearing by the value of what they say, and not by virtue of who is saying it. Today, authority has to earn respect by the intrinsic value of what it says, not by the force of its imposition.

Richard F. Holloway has been a reviewer and writer for the broadRichard Hollowayet press for several years including The Times The Guardian The Independent Sunday Herald and The Scotsman. He currently hosts the BBC Radio Scotland book review programme Cover Stories.

Richard F. Holloway (born 26 November 1933) is a Scottish writer and broadcaster and was formerly Bishop of Edinburgh in the Scottish Episcopal Church.