Religious Pluralism in a Democracy Speaker: Eboo Patel Tides Momentum Conference Learn more at Tides.org Discussion by: Dean Borgman © CYS 2014

Who is Eboo Patel? A young Indian-American Grew up in a white neighborhood Came to racial consciousness in college, his Asian/Indian identity crucial Later came to realize that religion is a more divisive global issue than ethnicity Is a Muslim—who has drawn from Christian and other faith heroes Heads Interfaith Youth Core

Let’s listen to Eboo Patel’s speech: “Religious Pluralism in a Democracy” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j11F3_nb_Sg

Questions for Reflection and Discussion What do you consider to be the main points of Patel’s speech?

The possible answers to the reality Patel describes are: Religion has become a more important basis of identity than ethnicity. Most or many of the conflicts in the world today are being caused by religious diversity. Youth are the most important leaders and agents for collaboration across lines of (religious) diversity. With which of these do you agree or disagree?

Further Questions What two points were made about heroes of reconciliation in the past? What can be noticed about many perpetrators of violence these days? In whom does Patel place his hope for reconciliation and interfaith cooperation—and what has he done about it?

Possible Answers They were people of different faiths, and they were young. They are young and people of fanatic, extremist faith. Patel’s hope is in the young, and he has founded and leads an organization: Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC).

If you want to hear more about Eboo Patel’s own spiritual journey and affiliation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaZQqmALrXE

To explore IFYC Interfaith Youth Core: http://www.ifyc.org

Implications Violent and dangerous conflicts around the world would seem to demand, from national reasons of self-interest and personal factors of humanitarian concern, an effort at reconciliation and cooperation. Christianity especially has Biblical and theological reasons for bringing about justice and peace—to which all religions aspire.

In recent news: Jewish and Muslim UK leaders urge an export of peace The Jewish Board of Deputies and Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) issued a joint call for peace in the Middle East. “In spite of the situation in the Middle East, we must continue to work hard for good community relations in the UK… We must not import conflict. We must export peace instead.” (http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-28962631, retrieved 17Sep14)

Final Implications The threat of global, fanatic and dogmatic religious conflict is such that world religious leaders ought to come together: • to condemn kidnappings, rape and killings in the name of religion •and to propose instruments of religious dialogue and cooperation. Dean Borgman © CYS 2014