Mr. Goffman charted many of the techniques the stigmatized employ, for better or worse, as a way to avoid societal condemnation.

"I try to locate him in an institution while avoiding condemnation," Father Aristide said through a translator.

In mainline liberal Protestant denominations, there is an effort to avoid Biblical condemnation of homosexuality.

However, he was later accused of lying about his own teachings in order to avoid public condemnation.

Both sides say they want to avoid condemnation, but no compromise appears imminent.

"They wanted to take credit without paying the price, to avoid international condemnation," was the way one expert described the strategy.

One had to avoid condemnation, which was not constructive.

More likely, she moved away after Ralph disappeared to avoid gossip and condemnation.

It is not clear how he managed to avoid official condemnation.

Syria, which has given a lukewarm response to the agreement but avoided outright condemnation, has said that it will accept whatever the Palestinian people decide.