New book by academic explores experiences of inter-faith

Dr James Holt, Associate Professor of Religious Education (FORB) in the University’s School of Education, has released the book, On Holy Ground: Inter-faith Encounters and the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, with the American publisher Cedar Fort.

James explores his experiences in inter-faith to suggest that there are many things people of all religions can learn from each other. He goes on to say there should be less “us” and “them” and that through respectful and curious dialogue, the space between people of different religions can be transformed into its own form of holy ground for mutual understanding.  

As he analyses eight different religions throughout his book, he shares over 30 years of experience in teaching religion and his personal interfaith encounters. He writes from a Christian/Latter-day Saint background to help people understand the importance of respectful and honest discussions about personal beliefs and religion with others. His insights aim to transform the perspective of readers, filling them with more compassion and understanding. 

James is the Chair of Examiners for Religious Studies with one of the major awarding organisations in England. Prior to his role at Chester, James was a secondary school Religious Education teacher for 13 years. 

He is the author of Beyond the Big Six Religions: Expanding the Boundaries in the Teaching of Religion and Worldviews (University of Chester Press, 2019), Religious Education in the Secondary School: An Introduction to Teaching, Learning and the World Religions (Routledge, 2015, 2022), Towards a Latter-day Saint Theology of Religions (2020) and is currently writing a series of books for Bloomsbury introducing each of the six largest world religions including Understanding Sikhism (2023), Understanding Buddhism (2024), Understanding Hinduism (2024) and Understanding Judaism (2026).   

James said: “I am excited for people to read this book. For me, life is all about relationships and I hope that through this book people can understand that in an increasingly polarised world we can celebrate that which brings us together, as well as our differences. The most important aspect of this book and my journey through a world of faiths is the recognition that in conversation with others, I am standing on holy ground. The main purpose of these conversations is to listen and to try to understand the friend with whom I am speaking.” 

To buy a copy visit On Holy Ground – Cedar Fort Publishing & Media