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

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.

Hierarchy works well in a stable environment.

It is very reasonable to worry about the harm done by organized religion, and to prefer looser and more private arrangements.

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

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.

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