The Good Fight

What an Overly Pessimistic View of America Gets Wrong

Jul 30, 2022

Eboo Patel, the founder of Interfaith America and a former advisor on faith to President Obama, shares his insights on interfaith dialogue and civil society's vital role in democracy. He discusses the evolution of faith-based organizations, emphasizing their shift from serving specific groups to broader communities. Patel reflects on his journey moving past critical race theory towards constructive civic engagement, and he celebrates America's religious diversity, advocating for narratives that highlight collaboration over conflict.

58:49

Episode guests

Eboo Patel

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

Exploring Critical Conversations

7min

From Critique to Creation: A Journey in Civic Engagement

11min

The Empowerment of Identity Groups in a Diverse Democracy

3min

Evolving Faith: Adaptation of Religious Institutions

8min

Celebrating Religious Diversity in America

9min

Redefining Identity and Community Engagement

17min

Eboo Patel is the founder of Interfaith America and the author of We Need to Build: Field Notes For Diverse Democracy. Patel also served as an advisor on faith to President Barack Obama.

In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Eboo Patel discuss why it’s so common for faith-based organizations to serve communities beyond their own; why Patel once embraced critical race theory but eventually moved beyond it; and the vital role of civil society organizations in the fabric of American democracy.

This transcript has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.

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Podcast production by John Taylor Williams, and Brendan Ruberry

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