I teethed on books of heroes such as Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln and King David.

Looking back, I wince at the careless way I tossed out my opinions.

I have decided to follow in my sinful ways, and have largely abandoned the increasingly religious life I was leading over the previous months, including several hours of Talmudic study a day.

My habit of glorifying things far away in space and time, also contributed to my social isolation.

At the time I perceived most religious men, particularly the pastors with all their talk about love, faith and relationship, as effeminate.