How Anglo-Ethnocentrism, French Postmodernism&Fashionable Nonsense have Neutralized Secularism
Foreword by Nina Sankari
We would like to introduce a new book: “Stillbirth, The Failure of Secularism in the English-Speaking World” by David Rand.
The book is an introduction to the issue of secularism, with emphasis on various implementations of secularism—some more successful than others — in key English- and French-speaking countries (from Amazon).
“His book is both a kind of primer on secularism, providing basic knowledge on this concept, and a guide, showing the reader the appropriate path through the meanderings of various interpretations of secularism, helping to avoid pitfalls. (…) The book is of special interest to Canadiens as it describes the conflict between two competing versions of secularism: the Lockean and the republican, of which only the letter deserves the name of “secularism”. However, it is quite instructive for other readers as well to know the difference because it reinforces an understanding of the very concept of secularism. (…) The book is not addressed only to the beginners. The author engages in a deep, serious, and detailed debate with the opponents of secularism, the old and the new ones.” from the Foreword by Nina Sankari
“I recommend David Rand’s book Stillbirth to anyone interested in secular issues. (…) The main point which I retain is that it is freedom of conscience that must be protected and not just freedom of religion. Freedom of conscience includes, in addition to freedom of religion, the freedom not to have a religion and to change one’s religion. To guarantee this freedom, the religious neutrality of the State is not enough. Only a separation of the State from all religions as in republican secularism can guarantee this freedom. The author demonstrates that true secularism is incompatible with multiculturalism, which considers religion to be an essential attribute of the individual. ” from the Review by Pierre Marchand
Web page of the book: https://www.davidrand.ca/stillbirth/
To purchase eBook: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BCHFQ5LG
To purchase paperback: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1738664007
David Rand is the long-time president of Atheist Freethinkers. He used to participate in a Board of Directors of several affiliate coalitions including Rassemblement pour la laïcité (Quebec), Atheist Alliance International (AAI) and International Association of Freethought (IAFT) . Rand is the author of the Blog Atheology/Atheologie in English and French versions. He was awarded with the Special Prize “Atheist of the Year 2018” by the Kazimierz Łyszczyński Foundation. He is invited speaker at the “Atheist Days 2023” in Warsaw.