Inequality can have a bad downside, but equality, for its part, sure does get in the way of coordination. – Mary Douglas
It seems true that the growth of science and secularism made organized Christianity feel under threat. – Mary Douglas
Religion can make it worse. Are you supposing that if people were encouraged to believe in a transcendent reality, and to be encouraged by grand rituals and music and preaching, to love their neighbors, then they would put jealousy and frustration aside? – Mary Douglas
If people want to compete for leadership of a religious group, they can compete in piety. A chilling thought. Or funny. – Mary Douglas