Dr. James D. Holt is an associate professor of religious education at the University of Chester. In this role, he explores the representation and teaching of religion and worldviews in schools. He has lectured and written widely on issues of religion, Christian education, religion and popular culture, and the representation and experience of minority religions. Holt is chair of the board of trustees for Freedom Declared Foundation, a UK–based charity advocating for freedom of religion and belief. He is chair of examiners for the General Certificate of Education (GCSE), international GCSE, and A-level religious studies with one of the major awarding organizations in England. He is 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 On Holy Ground (Cedar Fort 2025). He is currently writing a series of six books for Bloomsbury that introduce each of the six largest world religions: Understanding Sikhism (2023), Understanding Buddhism (2023), Understanding Hinduism (2024), Understanding Judaism (2026), and Understanding Islam (forthcoming 2027). Holt is married to Ruth, and they have four children and one granddaughter. He has been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day since his teens.
Talk About posts by James D. Holt: