Karen Armstrong addressed an audience of 500 at the Quaker Meeting House in Euston, central London on the evening of 9th June. Karen put forward ideas that feature in her latest book, The Case for God, published in paperback by Vintage on 1st July. At the heart of what she said was the idea that religion should be viewed in practical terms, with the emphasis on doing rather than on believing, on leading a good life rather than on doctrine, scripture or some kind of leap of faith. The talk included examples drawn from Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and Confucianism, but time and time again we were brought back to what the great traditions have in common, despite their surface differences. All of them say something along the lines of: ‘Do not treat others as you would not like them to treat you’. This is what Karen Armstrong calls the Golden Rule. She intends to explore the practical application of that rule in her next book, Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, published by The Bodley Head in January 2011. By the end of the evening, it had become clear just why Karen is in such demand as a commentator on religion, with her talk, made without reference to notes, described by the Chair, Rosemary Hartill, as ‘dazzling, scholarly and inspiring – a liberating discourse’.

Kate Gunning, Independent Sales Manager

To find out more about Karen's next book Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, click here to read about the TED prize.