Rumor of Angels

Sociologist of religion Peter Berger maintains that there are signals in our lives that give witness to the fact that transcendence (God-direction) exists.

1. Chaos. Every society constructs meaning in the face of chaos. Therefore, a mother can tell her child crying in the night that everything is all right. Is the mother merely telling her child a nice lie? Doesn't society continue because we believe that the universe has order and can be trusted?
2. Joy. During play and during times of great joy, time seems to "stand still." The "full moment" takes on the quality of eternity.
3. Hope. Even in the worst of times and under the most painful situations, human beings can still say "no." Not even death can destroy the belief in a future, as heroism testifies.
4. Evil. Evil is not merely a matter of taste. Nazi Germany's slaughter of over 7,000,000 Jews, Romani, Blacks, and others must be condemned absolutely and no human punishment seems adequate. Retribution must be beyond human power.
5. Humor. Humans can laugh at their own limits. Power at these times seems to be an illusion.
6. Finitude. The great questions still remain:
   1. What is the purpose of life?
   2. Why must I die?
   3. Who am I?

Discussion questions:

1. When you think of God, religion, or "Ultimate Meaning," which of the above signals come to your mind? Why do you think this is so?
2. Can you think of another signal?