The 21st century will be the century of the faith line - a line that does not divide Christians and Muslims or Hindus and Jews, but religious pluralists and religious totalitarians - argues Eboo Patel, the Executive Director of the Interfaith Youth Core. In his new book, Acts of Faith: The Story of An American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation, Patel offers a compelling theory of the growth of religious totalitarian movements and reflects on how people come to choose one side or the other. This new memoir, which Bill Clinton has called “a beautifully written story of discovery and hope,” chronicles Patel’s journey to forge his identity as a Muslim American and discusses why he believes pluralism is critical to achieving a healthy civic environment.

But will the defining struggle of the 21st century be faith-based? What is the future of secular democracy in our increasingly global world? What do religion and faith tell us about poverty, war, torture, police brutality, or gender violence? What is the role of pluralism in today’s social movements, and how do we even define it? 

Listen in as Lisa Lee, founder of The Public Square and director of the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, leads a lively conversation on these questions and Patel’s intriguing personal journey.

Recorded Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at Chicago Cultural Center.