Barnard Professor of American Religion Randall Balmer Quoted in The New York Times, May 9

New York, NY, May 10, 2002—In an article in the House & Homes section of May 9’s New York Times, reporter Patricia Leigh Brown sought out comments from Randall Balmer, professor of American religion at Barnard College. The article is on the recent development of "megachurches," religious institutions that are in effect entire communities. These churches and their properties have gyms, Olympic swimming pools, McDonald’s and even credit unions, hotels and convention centers as ways to create a sense of community and to maintain congregation consistency.

Some worry about the development of "Christian cocooning," because they fear the churches are isolating themselves from the larger world in favor of safe, "prepackaged" lives. In response to such claims, Balmer says "these full-service churches can shelter congregants…from a broader society that seems unsafe, unpredictable and out of control, underscored by school shootings and terrorism."

For the full text, please see the article in The New York Times.

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James Griffith, Office of Public Affairs, 212-854-7583