It's Dangerous to Believe

Religious believers in modern Western society face increasing hostility and discrimination, according to Mary Eberstadt's analysis of secularization and its effects. She documents cases of Christians being marginalized in workplaces, schools, and public spaces due to their traditional moral beliefs. The book examines how progressive ideologies have come to view religious faith, particularly Christianity, as a threat that must be contained or eliminated. Eberstadt draws parallels between current anti-religious sentiment and historical episodes of moral panic and scapegoating. Through interviews and case studies, the author presents evidence of a growing intolerance toward religious expression in secular institutions. She focuses on conflicts over issues like sexuality, marriage, and gender roles where religious and progressive worldviews clash. The work raises questions about the true meaning of tolerance and pluralism in a society where traditional religious views are increasingly treated as forms of bigotry. It challenges readers to consider whether secular progressivism has itself become a type of fundamentalism.

Reader reviews indicate this book resonates with religious conservatives who feel marginalized in secular society. Most positive reviews praise Eberstadt's documentation of discrimination against people of faith, particularly in academia and workplaces. Readers appreciated: - Clear examples of religious freedom conflicts - Analysis of cultural shifts in tolerance - Documentation of legal cases - Historical context for current debates Common criticisms: - One-sided perspective that ignores valid secular concerns - Overstates persecution claims - Limited solutions offered - Repetitive examples Ratings across platforms: Amazon: 4.5/5 (108 reviews) Goodreads: 3.8/5 (47 reviews) Specific reader feedback: "Documents important cases but lacks balanced analysis" - Goodreads reviewer "Finally gives voice to concerns of religious Americans" - Amazon reviewer "Too much focus on victimhood narrative" - Goodreads reviewer "Needed more concrete proposals for addressing conflicts" - Amazon reviewer

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🔹 Author Mary Eberstadt previously served as a speech writer for Secretary of State George Shultz during the Reagan administration 🔹 The book examines what the author calls "secular progressivism's transformation into a religion in its own right," drawing parallels between modern anti-religious sentiment and historical witch hunts 🔹 Eberstadt coined the term "sexularism" to describe what she sees as a new moral code based on sexual expressionism that has replaced traditional religious morality 🔹 The book was published in 2016, during a period of heightened debate about religious liberty issues in the United States, particularly regarding healthcare mandates and same-sex marriage 🔹 The author's research shows that between 2007 and 2014, the number of Americans who said they would be "somewhat uncomfortable" or "very uncomfortable" with having a family member marry someone who does not believe in God increased from 24% to 49%