Jacques Berlinerblau is a professor at Georgetown University and director of the Program for Jewish Civilization. He is the author of four books and has appeared across numerous media platforms, including NPR, CNN, and The Economist. Berlinerblau also hosts the webcast "Faith Complex," which is featured on The Huffington Post and other outlets, exploring complex ideas about belief and society.
Secularism: The Basics is a concise and engaging introduction to public discussions of secularism across the globe and this thoroughly updated edition continues to be an ideal starting point for anyone seeking a readable introduction to the often-conflicting interpretations of one of our era’s most complex and controversial ideas.
Today's secularists often lack accurate knowledge of religion and show little desire to learn, which is problematic as their identities are shaped in opposition to it. Defining oneself against something misunderstood raises questions about intellectual responsibility. When secularists engage in political debates, their ignorance of religious contexts can lead to misguided conclusions. In this work, Jacques Berlinerblau argues that atheists and agnostics must confront the beliefs they oppose, as maintaining a superficial understanding of religion is politically unwise. The book also critiques believers who cling to simplistic and outdated interpretations of their faith. Berlinerblau, a nonbeliever and critic of academic religious studies, explores the Hebrew Bible, questioning its authorship and revealing how its composition informs its influence in modern discourse. He examines how Scripture's contradictory messages are invoked in contemporary issues like Jewish intermarriage and homosexuality, and discusses the potential for secular interpretations of the Qur'an. This work aims to revitalize a secular intellectual tradition that is currently facing challenges, advocating for a deeper engagement with religious texts and ideas.