Peter L. Berger Quotes

Belief is tricky because left to its own devices, it can court a kind of surety, an unquestioning allegiance that fears doubt and destroys difference.

We have no desire to convince anyone that there is only one way by which faith can be acquired.

The fanatics should know that we hold our beliefs just as deeply as they hold theirs.

One of the most constant characteristics of beliefs is their intolerance. The stronger the belief, the greater its intolerance. Men dominated by a certitude cannot tolerate those who do not accept it.

Beliefs are what divide people. Doubt unites them.

Sometimes I doubt, and sometimes I believe. I like not making myself believe when I am doubting and not making myself doubt when I am believing.

Radical Islam's principles are out there for all to see if they open their eyes. But what are our principles? In truth, they are up for grabs.

Skepticism may undermine beliefs, but never belief.

I have beliefs, of course, like everyone-but I don't always believe in them.

I'm convinced that the most important division in human affairs is probably not the one between left and right, liberal and conservative. It's the one between zealotry and understanding, between absolute conviction and compromise, between preachers and politicians.

if you don't have doubts you're either kidding yourself or asleep. Doubts are the ants-in-the-pants of faith. They keep it alive and moving.

Faith: The opposite of dogmatism.

The worst thing is not being wrong, but being sure one is not wrong.

It is not the feeling sure of a doctrine (be it what it may) which I call an assumption of infallibility. It is the undertaking to decide that question for others, without allowing them to hear what can be said on the contrary side. And I denounce and reprobate this pretension not the less, if put forth on the side of my most solemn convictions.

The opposite of faith is not doubt: It is certainty. It is madness. You can tell you have created God in your own image when it turns out that he or she hates all the same people you do.

Doubt is the vestibule through which all must pass before they can enter into the temple of wisdom.

In religious and in secular affairs, the more fervent beliefs attract followers. If you are a moderate in any respect - if you're a moderate on abortion, if you're a moderate on gun control, or if you're a moderate in your religious faith - it doesn't evolve into a crusade where you're either right or wrong, good or bad, with us or against us.

Belief like any other moving body follows the path of least resistance.

Without sounding overly pompous about it, I don't really trust certainty in anything, actually. Especially as I get older. Except love. I'm certain of love, I guess.

A mistake made by many people with great convictions is that they will let nothing stand in the way of their views, not even kindness.

I respect faith, but doubt is what gives you an education.

One man's theology is another man's belly laugh.

Obviously a primary liberal conviction is that we should be tolerant of other peoples' convictions. But if we believe in something, we had better find ways to say so convincingly.

The older I get, the less I know. By that I mean the less I am sure of. I view people with strong opinions on the big stuff with distrust. I don't think we should have certain certainties on faith and politics; I think we should be open-minded.

If it's tough believing what you believe, then maybe it's time to move. But if you are someone who militantly enforces your opinion about anything, then you need to get out of town.