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I have recently read “My Father Bertrand Russell”, a fascinating book written by Russell’s daughter Katharine Tait.  It gives an inside account of life in the Russell household and an engrossing insight into the life and character of the well-known philosopher.  He certainly seems to have been someone who was eager to kick against many of society’s traditions.  He and his second wife, Dora, established a school which was operated along lines significantly different from most schools of the time.  For example, the Russells set up a school council, consisting of both the staff and the pupils; each member was entitled to one vote when decisions were to be taken.  This is an extract from the book (Katharine Tait was writing from her experience of being a pupil):

“We debated with heat and abandon, but usually we accepted the recommendations of their superior wisdom.  Except once, when we voted to abolish all rules for a trial period, to discover which ones were really important.  I doubt if the teachers were comfortable with the experiment, but it proved a good one, because we were not comfortable either.  The teachers took the line that rules were abolished for them too, and the consequence was such dreadful anarchy that we were thankful to return to the rule of law.”

It is common to hear people today complaining about rules, not least because from one perspective they can seem very restrictive.  And yet, as the example above illustrates, when we do away with rules, chaos ensues.  What would happen if drivers abandoned the highway code, or if footballers stopped playing by the rules?  What would happen if a train decided that staying on the tracks was too restrictive?  There are a thousand other examples we could think of where abandoning the rules would lead only to disaster.

We need laws to live by.  I remember a poster I used to have, on which was written, “For best results, follow the Maker’s instructions.”  If we want to know how best to live to encourage human flourishing, then we need to pay attention to what God has said, to the ‘rules’ he has laid down for us.  Imagine, for example, if human beings decided to live according to the 10 commandments?  Or, if human beings lived by the two great commandments of Jesus, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and love your neighbour as yourself.”  Society would be transformed overnight!

No caring parent brings up their child without rules.  These rules are given not to unnecessarily restrict, but to guide and protect.  God has given us rules for living; if we ignore them, then we will have to face the consequences sooner or later.