The Birth of Modern Belief: Faith and Judgment from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment

 In The Birth of Modern Belief (Princeton University Press), University of California, Berkeley history professor Shagan *00 analyzes how groups throughout history have treated “belief” — religiously and otherwise. Starting with medieval Christians, who focused on common affirmations of belief, Shagan demonstrates how belief has become relevant beyond religious faith and is often held on to as a way to separate oneself from another group rather than promote unity within one.