The Secular Paradox: On the Religiosity of the Not Religious

The Secular Paradox explores how secularism can appear religious due to Christianity's influence on culture, leading to ambivalence towards belief, community, ritual, conversion, and tradition. It highlights the struggles of secular misfits who reject parts of life resembling Christianity and embrace a European tradition that emphasizes reason and avoids emotion, pioneering new forms of secular "religiosity" in America.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 09 May 2022
Publisher: New York University Press

A groundbreaking perspective on secularism reveals the enigmatic nature of why being secular can sometimes resemble religious practices. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in the rapidly secularizing American society, where religion casts a skeptical and discomforting shadow across various aspects of life, including politics, holidays, and even everyday events like weddings and funerals. In his book, "The Secular Paradox," Joseph Blankholm challenges the notion that nonbelievers can entirely avoid religious influence. Through extensive ethnographic research among secular activists and organized nonbelievers in the United States, Blankholm explores how even the most secular individuals are ambivalent towards belief, community, ritual, conversion, and tradition. He argues that despite their intentions to steer clear of religion, nonbelievers often find themselves drawn into its pervasive cultural norms.

As secular individuals strive to embrace their shared values, they encounter a recurring paradox: they become too religious. On the other hand, when they reject religion, they feel as though they have lost significant aspects of their lives. Consequently, secular people navigate a delicate balance, oscillating between the extremes of absolute non-religion and partial participation in a religion-like secular tradition. Blankholm relies heavily on the voices of women and people of color to shed light on the complexities of living with the secular paradox. The struggles of secular misfits, who do not conform to the normative secularism prevalent in the United States, highlight the rejection of aspects of life that resemble Christianity and the embrace of a European tradition that values reason and avoids emotion.

Women, people of color, and secular individuals who have transitioned from non-Christian religions play a vital role in challenging the limitations and contradictions of secularism. They seek to create new ways of being secular that redefine the American religious landscape, offering alternative perspectives and practices that resonate with a broader spectrum of individuals. Through their activism, advocacy, and creativity, these individuals contribute to the ongoing transformation of religious attitudes and practices in the United States.

In conclusion, "The Secular Paradox" provides a thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between secularism and religion. By challenging the notion of absolute separation and embracing the ambivalence inherent in secularism, Blankholm offers a fresh perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by nonbelievers in a rapidly secularizing society. Through the voices of diverse individuals and their efforts to create new ways of being secular, the book contributes to the ongoing dialogue about the role of religion and secularism in contemporary American life.

Dimension: 9 x 6 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479809493