Monthly Archives: June 2011

June 29, 2011

Why do Godders have so many kids?

Peter Berger

Demography has very probably been a factor in religious history all along. The Concise Etymological Dictionary of the English Language (a favorite book of mine) tells us that our word “proletarian” derives from the Latin proles, ”offspring”: A proletarius was … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Religion, Secularism | 35 Comments
June 22, 2011

Confucius and Religious Freedom

Peter Berger

It seems that I suffer from a condition not yet included in the list of officially recognized psychiatric maladies: Manic Associational Syndrome (MAS). This is the irresistible urge to perceive things—like news items—as belonging together that are normally perceived as … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Christianity, Freedom | 11 Comments
June 20, 2011

We Interrupt This Program for a Commercial Message…

Peter Berger

A new book of mine has just been published: Adventures of an Accidental Sociologist: How to Explain the World Without Becoming a Bore (Prometheus Books). The American Interest is kind enough to sponsor a launch of the book in Washington DC … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion, Sociology | 1 Comment
June 16, 2011

A Quick Note to My Readers

Peter Berger

I would like to inform the readers of this blog that there will be a lunchtime roundtable on the occasion of the release my new book, Adventures of an Accidental Sociologist: How to Explain the World Without Becoming a Bore, … Continue reading →

Posted in United States | 2 Comments
June 15, 2011

Revisiting The Scopes Trial

Peter Berger

In its issue of June 2011, Christianity Today, the banner publication of conservative Protestantism, carried a cover story about the latest wrinkle in the Evangelical struggle with the ghost of Darwin. The old fight over evolution is still continuing robustly, … Continue reading →

Posted in Morality, Sociology | 2 Comments
June 8, 2011

Roman Hospitality and Its Limits

Peter Berger

The Roman Catholic Church is famous for its hospitality. Its arms are always wide open to receive converts or repentant schismatics, and it is ready to make all sorts of compromises to make them feel welcome. But there are limits … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholicism, Christianity | 6 Comments
June 1, 2011

Symbols of Tyranny in America

Peter Berger

I am going to say uncomplimentary things about some American realities. I would not want to be misunderstood. I love this country. I felt at home from the moment I arrived here when barely aged eighteen, and it was with … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Symbolism | 9 Comments