The history and politics of secularism and the public role of religion in France, India, Turkey, and the United States. It interprets the varieties of secularism as a series of evolving and contested processes of defining and remaking religion, rather than a static solution to the challenges posed by religious and political difference.

"As the study of secularism continues to expand, this volume crucially extends our knowledge of secularism as a relational category. It de-centers the religion-secular binary and the presumption of European origins in favor of comparative study of France, India, Turkey, and the United States. If you want a better understanding of both histories of secularism and the conflicts driving events in today's world, read this book." - Janet Jakobsen, Editor with Ann Pellegrini of Secularisms

"This rich collection of essays not only provides deep insight into processes of secularization in France, India, Turkey, and the US, it also enables us to reconceptualize what is meant by 'the secular' and 'the religious.' It adds important empirical and theoretical insight to current conversations on this question and, indeed, reframes the entire debate." - Joan W. Scott, Harold F. Linder Professor of Social Science, Institute for Advanced Study