Monthly Archives: February 2012

February 29, 2012

A Global Evangelical Elite

Peter Berger

Belatedly I have just read a report issued in June 2011 by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, an organization that has been producing interesting survey data about worldwide religion with astounding frequency. This one is titled “Evangelical … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelicalism |
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February 22, 2012

Contraception and the Culture War

Peter Berger

For a week or so in early February religion was once again at the center of media attention (this time unrelated to the lingering issue of Mitt Romney’s Mormonism). Using powers given her by the “Obamacare” legislation, Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Secularism |
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February 15, 2012

Is Confucianism a Religion?

Peter Berger

On February 5, 2012, the New York Times carried a story about a Confucian academy in South Korea. It is one of some 150 such academies (seawon) in the country. Their main program consists of retreats, especially for schoolchildren. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Confucianism, Secularism |
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February 8, 2012

Blasphemies

Peter Berger

In common usage blasphemy means words and actions which constitute an insult to God or other sacred entities. To the modern mind the term may seem obsolete, a leftover from primitive superstition. It is anything but obsolete to many people … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam, Religion, Sikhism |
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February 1, 2012

Evangelical Democrats?

Peter Berger

As the absurd theater of the Republican primaries continues its itinerary from state to state, it at least serves one useful purpose: It puts to rest the notion that religion no longer matters in American politics. Actually the GOP is … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Politics, Religion, Secularism |
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