Monthly Archives: May 2012

May 30, 2012

The Relocation of Anti-Semitism

Peter Berger

The May 2012 issue of Commentary (the generally conservative monthly with a strong Jewish focus) carries an article by Michael Medved, entitled “What the Evangelicals Give to Jews”. Medved is a highly productive writer and television personality, very articulate and … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelicalism, Judaism |
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May 23, 2012

Pentecostals: Miracles and Scholarly Footnotes

Peter Berger

In the mid-1980s, when David Martin began his pioneering studies of Pentecostalism, this phenomenon was the elephant in the living room of the scholarly study of religion: It was well on the way of  becoming the fastest growing religious movement … Continue reading →

Posted in Pentecostalism |
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May 16, 2012

“Most of the time I am alone with my ritual…”

Peter Berger

In the words of “Monty Python and the Flying Circus”—now for something completely different: When I started writing this blog, I had no preconceived idea about the frequency or schedule of its postings. After a while it became clear to … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Inter-faith Dialogue, Islam |
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May 9, 2012

If it’s December, I’m Presbyterian

Peter Berger

On April 13, 2012 Religion News Service carried a story about Andrew Bowen, a 29-year old resident of Lumberton, North Carolina. Throughout the year 2011 he practiced a different religion each month—Hindu in January, Baha’i in February, Zoroastrian in March, … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion, Secularism, United States |
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May 2, 2012

Capital Punishment and the Deficit

Peter Berger

Reading the New York Times at breakfast is more than a habit. It is a sort of addiction. One experiences withdrawal symptoms in places where the paper is not available (especially when the only alternative is USA Today). At least … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Culture, Europe, Politics, United States |
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