Quote of the Day (Steinfels)

“When it comes to nomenclature, writing about religion is of course a minefield. Terms like ‘conservative’ and ‘liberal,’ ‘traditionalist’ and ‘progressive’ are almost unavoidable shorthand, though they suffer from their origins in political categories and almost inevitably oversimplify and dichotomize religious realities that are multifaceted.

But ‘orthodox’ is a special case, because it suggests a sharp boundary between those who properly belong and those who are properly excluded, the way that ‘patriotic’ can suggest a boundary between loyal citizens and something verging on traitors. Religious leaders have a hard enough time wrestling with such matters. Journalists should not get in their way.”—Peter Steinfels, “The Audacity of Claiming the Last Word on This Word,” The New York Times, September 13, 2008