Bertrand Russell, the
British philosopher was well known for his radical views. He was one of those
thinkers who boldly proposed that boys and girls should not only have
co-education, but that they should be given sex education in schools. Also
known for his atheism, his other suggestion was that imparting of Christian
religious teaching should not have a place in school curriculum. He initiated
and ran a school in which these ideas were practised. Coming at a time when
Britain was largely traditional, much humour was created at his expense. One story,
which was floated around, was that at his invitation, the Archbishop of
Canterbury decided to visit the school run by Russell. When the Archbishop rang
the bell at the door of the school, it was opened by a girl student who was
stark nude. Deeply shocked, the Archbishop exclaimed, “My God!” Upon this, the
girl snapped, “There is no God!” and shut the door in his face.
© smsingru June 2002