Ronald A. Lindsay Boeken

"For the first time in human history, a significant percentage of the world's population no longer believes in God. This is especially true in developed nations, where in some societies nonbelievers now outnumber believers. Unless religion collapses completely, or undergoes a remarkable resurgence, countries across the globe must learn to carefully and effectively manage this societal mix of religious and irreligious. For in a world already deeply riven by sectarian conflict, this unprecedented demographic shift presents yet another challenge to humanity. Writing in an engaging, accessible style, philosopher and lawyer Ronald A. Lindsay develops a tightly crafted argument for secularism--specifically, that in a religiously pluralistic society, a robust, thoroughgoing secularism is the only reliable means of preserving meaningful democracy and rights of conscience. Contrary to certain political pundits and religious leaders who commonly employ the term secularism as a scare word, Lindsay uses clear, concrete examples and jargon-free language to demonstrate that secularism is the only way to ensure equal respect and protection under the law--for believers and nonbelievers alike. Although critical of some aspects of religion, Lindsay neither presents an antireligious tirade nor seeks to convert anyone to nonbelief, reminding us that secularism and atheism are not synonymous. Rather, he shows how secularism works to everyone's benefit and makes the definitive case that the secular model should be feared by none--and embraced by all"-- Provided by publisher

The Lost Song of Goliath is an imaginative retelling of one of the most famous stories in the world -- the bitter struggle between the ancient Israelites and Philistines, culminating in the combat between David and Goliath. But this retelling is different. The Lost Song of Goliath dramatically transforms the traditional version of this epic by telling it from the viewpoint of Goliath. Goliath's story has not yet been told, although he is a literary character begging for an author to give him a voice. Neither monster nor freak, Goliath leads a full, flawed human existence, with both success and deep disappointment, both love and heartbreaking loss. The reader follows Goliath as he navigates his way through changing, challenging circumstances, from suspenseful conflict on the battlefield to sensual idylls with his lover. Ultimately, Goliath is confronted with the need to make a profound decision -- a decision which may determine his fate and the fate of his people. A triumph of vivid, creative storytelling, The Lost Song of Goliath, with its underlying message of the futility of war, is the tale of David and Goliath retold for our time.

In Against the New Politics of Identity, philosopher Ronald A. Lindsay offers a sustained criticism of the far-reaching cultural transformation occurring across much of the West by which individuals are defined primarily by their group identity, such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Driven largely by the political Left, this transformation has led to the wholesale grouping of individuals into oppressed and oppressor classes in both theory and practice. He warns that the push for identity politics on the Left predictably elicits a parallel reaction from the Right, including the Right' s own version of identity politics in the form of Christian nationalism. As Lindsay makes clear, the symbiotic relationship that has formed between these two political poles risks producing even deeper threats to Enlightenment values and Western democracy. If we are to preserve a liberal democracy in which the rights of individuals are respected, he concludes, the dogmas of identity politics must be challenged and refuted. Against the New Politics of Identity offers a principled path for doing so.