The very word 'secrecy' is repugnant in a free and open society and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies to secret oaths and to secret proceedings.

Among the many reasons assignable for the sad decay of true Christianity perhaps the neglecting to assemble ourselves together in religious societies may not be one of the least.

Modern societies march towards morality in proportion as they leave religion behind.

You can't write about the past and ignore religion. It was such a fundamental mind-shaping driving force for pre-modern societies. I'm very interested in what religion does to us - its capacity to create love and empathy or hatred and violence.

I was 21 in 1968 so I'm as much a child of the '60s as is possible to be. In those years the subject of religion had really almost disappeared the idea that religion was going to be a major force in the life of our societies in the West anyway would have seemed absurd in 1968.

American influence in the world is certainly considerable but the United States does not control directly or indirectly the politics and economics of other societies as empires have always done save for a few special cases that turn out to be the exceptions that prove the rule.

You have to believe that it's through politics that societies can lead social and economic and political change.

I certainly can't speak for all cultures or all societies but it's clear that in America poetry serves a very marginal purpose. It's not part of the cultural mainstream.

Millions of men have lived to fight build palaces and boundaries shape destinies and societies but the compelling force of all times has been the force of originality and creation profoundly affecting the roots of human spirit.

Why in almost all societies have married women specialized in bearing and rearing children and in certain agricultural activities whereas married men have done most of the fighting and market work?