Mary Douglas Quotes & Sayings (Page 2)

“Real equality is immensely difficult to achieve, it needs continual revision and monitoring of distributions. And it does not provide buffers between members, so they are continually colliding or frustrating each other.”

“Enclave life becomes very tense, Even when they do elect a leader, the factions remain, with the threat of splitting off.”

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

“Mormons... are so strong, they can handle wealth, they are confident. I think it is because they are not bogged down by rules for equality, but have a firmly defined system of relative status and responsible command.”

“Inside a religious body you get sects and hierarchies, inside an information network you get bazaars and cathedrals, it is the same, call them what you like. They survive by pointing the finger of blame at each other.”

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

“It seems true that the growth of science and secularism made organized Christianity feel under threat.”

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

“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.”

“Some scholars have been arguing that a civilizational clash between organized religions is the next step in human history.”