What's happening to our democracy? It feels like we're being torn apart by deep religious, cultural, and political differences. Welcome to Zealots at the Gate, where two scholars of faith and politics—a Muslim and a Christian—make a rather surprising claim. Together Shadi Hamid and Matthew Kaemingk argue that our deep differences are not, in fact, a threat to democracy. The true threat is our response to that difference.

In this opening episode, Hamid and Kaemingk explore how their religious difference—their Muslim and Christian strangeness—is a potential resource for democracy's renewal. Join us as we try to do difference, differently.

Related links:

Matt’s article on the politics of the headscarf:https://comment.org/the-headscarf-islams-gift-to-western-democracy/

Shadi’s debate with Mehdi Hasan on MSNBC’s Morning Joe:https://twitter.com/shadihamid/status/1585410346818338816

Shadi’s article on the dangers of religious certainty in politics:https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/12/how-resist-making-politics-theological/578851/

Matt and Shadi’s books on religion and democracy:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BCR3JCLR/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Hospitality-Muslim-Immigration-Fear/dp/0802874584