Mary Douglas

“Yes, disappointment over perceived unfairness, injustice, promises not kept, tends to go hand in hand with increasing prosperity. Expectations are dashed. What can I say!”

“An escalating, violent tit-for-tat may lead to terrorism.”

“The history of the Church of Rome is a constant leakage of members into such breakaway cults, which go on splitting.”

“Our technological infrastructure alienates us from each other. No need to form a workplace community, everybody there will be out in a year or two, and so will you, looking for a better place.”

“It's unlikely that the organized religions will get more sectarian... or is it? I am not at all sure.”

“If people want to compete for leadership of a religious group, they can compete in piety. A chilling thought. Or funny.”

“I am sure it must be true that people opt out of the mainstream society because they feel that there are going to be no rewards for them, if they stay.”

“Behind a leader there must be followers, but they should always be on the lookout for the main chance and ready to change sides if the current leader doesn't deliver.”

“The natural response of the old-timers is to build a strong moral wall against the outside. This is where the world starts to be painted in black and white, saints inside, and sinners outside the wall.”

“Since 1970, relationships can be more volatile, jobs more ephemeral, geographical mobility more intensified, stability of marriage weaker.”

“When we are reflecting on terrorism we can grieve for many things we do and have done.”

“Hierarchy is is much reviled in the present day.”

“Just in our lifetime our society has become looser and more private, it becomes extremely difficult to hold to any permanent commitment whatever, least of all to organized religion.”

“Islam is in principle egalitarian, and has always had problems with power.”