The Faith Divide Archive by Category - On Faith at washingtonpost.com

America testifies

By Eboo Patel and Samantha Kirby. We know why Rep. Keith Ellison cried during yesterday's King hearings. He cried because an American hero, Salman Hamdani, was suspected as a terrorist because of the simple fact of his faith. Hamdani was...

By Eboo Patel | March 11, 2011; 08:09 AM ET | Comments (7)

The Egyptian revolution: An interfaith movement

Today's guest blogger is Frank Fredericks, executive director of World Faith, co-director of Religious Freedom USA, and president of Çöñàr Records. Seeing the Egyptian protests on American media may lead you to believe that this is an Iranian-style revolution, with...

By Eboo Patel | February 2, 2011; 04:30 PM ET | Comments (11)

(Photos): Egypt, Tunisia and the youth revolt in the Middle East

What we are seeing now in the Middle East is a generation of young people who learned how to love themselves, believe in themselves, change themselves.

By Eboo Patel | January 27, 2011; 05:10 PM ET | Comments (11)

Christian and Muslim brotherhood is real

I take him at his word that Gov. Robert Bentley will be the governor of every citizen of Alabama, regardless of their faith or lack thereof. Yet, there are many ways that Gov. Bentley and his non-Christian constituents can be brothers and sisters, and I urge the governor to focus on these during his term.

By Eboo Patel | January 25, 2011; 09:51 AM ET | Comments (17)

An open letter to my Christian friends

Today's guest blogger is Peter Hong, who pastors New Community Covenant Church, a series of urban, multiethnic churches in the heart of Chicago. Made up of people from all walks of life, New Community is passionate about bringing shalom, God's...

By Eboo Patel | January 14, 2011; 01:52 PM ET | Comments (41)

Evangelical Christian students: interfaith work is Christ's work

Interfaith engagement has given us new ways to think about evangelism - though perhaps not in the ways most evangelicals would find familiar.

By Eboo Patel | January 11, 2011; 05:34 PM ET | Comments (0)

Ambassadors for Christ in an interfaith world

From the evangelical perspective, "interfaith" has often been used as a code word for "relativism."

By Eboo Patel | January 10, 2011; 09:35 AM ET | Comments (7)

How can Muslims and evangelicals work together?

Despite years of interfaith talks, religious leaders acknowledge they have very little to show for it. Maybe we need less talk and more action.

By Eboo Patel | January 4, 2011; 10:46 AM ET | Comments (8)

Finding your 'Calling' in 2011

Religion inspires people in remarkable ways. That's the central message of the new documentary The Calling. It is a film that is pure and true and beautiful, that so many people of faith can find themselves in. It helped me trace the path of my own calling.

By Eboo Patel | December 24, 2010; 10:57 AM ET | Comments (8)

Peter King's Muslim hearings

It appears that a small number of young Muslim men are sitting in basements watching and reading twisted material online that tells them to kill others.

By Eboo Patel | December 22, 2010; 12:45 PM ET | Comments (210)

Love for the Virgin Mary runs deep in Islam

Hesham A. Hassaballa: The very story of the birth of Mary, which the the Feast of the Immaculate Conception commemorates, is found in the Quran

By Eboo Patel | December 8, 2010; 06:22 PM ET | Comments (92)

Immigrant dreams and the DREAM Act

In an act of daring faith and unrequited love, my parents decided to leave behind all that was dear to them for the future of their family and left for America.

By Eboo Patel | December 6, 2010; 09:24 AM ET | Comments (5)

Searching for the American DREAM

For the kids caught in the middle of immigration battles, faith endures.

By Eboo Patel | December 2, 2010; 06:10 PM ET | Comments (1)

For American Muslims, a year of living dangerously

Farhana Khera: 2010 has been one of the most difficult and fearful years on record for many American Muslims, surpassing even those dark days following the tragedy of 9-11.

By Eboo Patel | December 2, 2010; 09:24 AM ET | Comments (66)

Making the Internet moral

Pope Benedict XVI recently said that the Internet was "numbing" for young people. Benedict's comments created an uproar, but he has a point. Studies show that Internet addiction is linked to depression.

By Eboo Patel | November 23, 2010; 05:43 PM ET | Comments (1)

From fearing Islam to loving Muslims

Instead of asking 'How is my faith right and your faith wrong?' It asks, 'How does your faith inspire you to serve others and what in my faith inspires me to work with you on that?'

By Eboo Patel | November 17, 2010; 03:07 PM ET | Comments (32)

Talking the 'Hereafter' with atheists and believers

Nicholas Lang: Whether we were discussing Heaven or a "fluffy Soul Cloud in the sky," we were articulating the same needs in our lives: the need for purpose, for community, for connectedness.

By Eboo Patel | November 16, 2010; 12:32 PM ET | Comments (23)

Communities of faith and our ecological crisis

Is the goal of humanity to control and dominate nature or is it to leave the Earth better than we found it?

By Eboo Patel | November 15, 2010; 03:14 PM ET | Comments (2)

Islam, Judaism and the threat of terrorism

Although we know now that the bombs were meant for the cargo planes, the fact that these bombs were addressed to Chicago area synagogues may tend to reinforce the notion in the minds of many people - and that includes some Muslims as well - that there is, somehow, an innate enmity between Judaism and Islam.

By Eboo Patel | November 3, 2010; 05:04 PM ET | Comments (67)

In America, better together

Last month, Zach Jordan, a senior at Elon University, found himself aghast at what he was hearing in the media about Muslims. But instead of just turning off the television or even yelling at it, Zach took what sociologists Bob Putnam and David Campbell tell us is amongst the most effective steps at increasing religious tolerance: He created a space for people from different religious backgrounds to have a positive, meaningful encounter with each other.

By Eboo Patel | November 1, 2010; 05:53 PM ET | Comments (14)

Let's not be like Juan

Williams was given a high profile platform to say, "It's ok to be suspicious of an entire religious group because of the actions of a handful of extremists." This is a poisonous attitude - one that mainstream media shouldn't validate.

By Eboo Patel | October 22, 2010; 09:54 AM ET | Comments (34)

LGBTQ find unexpected hope

News of the suicide of yet another LGBTQ youth in the U.S., is the latest in a rash that has brought to light the exclusion and violence that continues to plague those marked "different."

By Eboo Patel | October 19, 2010; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (2)

Ayodhya verdict demands forward-looking focus

Abhishek Raman: What is needed in India in the aftermath of the Ayodhya verdict is not a denial of reality but a commitment to interfaith cooperation from all sections of the society.

By Eboo Patel | October 11, 2010; 12:37 PM ET | Comments (2)

Million Muslim march on the mall?

Khizer Husain: Political commentators assert that Muslims have not been vocal and visible enough to show their love of American ideals and disgust for violence in the name of their religion. But will a National Mall rally with Muslim women in star-spangled hijabs and toddlers hoisting placards with patriotic themes do the trick?

By Eboo Patel | October 8, 2010; 09:54 AM ET | Comments (39)

Nine years after 9/11, a debate about Islam

The problem of the 20th century, said W.E.B. DuBois, was the problem of the color line. The challenge of the 21st century is the faith line.

By Eboo Patel | October 4, 2010; 12:06 PM ET | Comments (39)

The artist formerly known as Molly Norris

Last week the atheist blogosphere lit up with reports that Molly Norris, the Seattle cartoonist who inadvertently inspired "Everybody Draw Muhammad Day" (EDMD), had been forced to change her identity and go into hiding due to death threats she received from extremists.

By Eboo Patel | September 21, 2010; 03:28 PM ET | Comments (39)

Intolerance and Islam since 9/11

The message of intolerance is simple: "Us vs. Them" is "Americans against Muslims." What we need now is a concerted "Love All Your Neighbors" campaign. Because, as Theodore McCarrick, Cardinal Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Washington, said "America was not built on hate."

By Eboo Patel | September 9, 2010; 04:25 PM ET | Comments (36)

Beck vs. King

King's views about God's plan and Beck's views - or at least the views of many of his invited speakers - have sharp differences.

By Eboo Patel | September 1, 2010; 07:10 PM ET | Comments (18)

Let's all fast during Ramadan

This year during Ramadan, let's consider reaffirming our common spiritual heritage by embracing the discipline of fasting.

By Eboo Patel | August 25, 2010; 11:02 AM ET | Comments (20)

"The world's too small to stand in one place"

Although we may each hold different beliefs, we must learn to live and to interact with each other in peaceful and positive ways. A cooperative future depends on our actions and choices today.

By Eboo Patel | August 17, 2010; 05:48 PM ET | Comments (0)

Who wins when the U.S. restricts religious freedom?

There is one thing the opponents of the Cordoba Initiative (that plans to build an Islamic cultural center near Ground Zero) have in common with the Cordoba Initiative's leadership: their clear condemnation and denunciation of terrorism.

By Eboo Patel | August 3, 2010; 04:14 PM ET | Comments (8)

Why I support the mosque in Manhattan

We Christians - and Jews too - should enthusiastically support Muslims in their desire to build a center devoted to peaceful religion near the site of an atrocity committed in the name of violent religion.

By Eboo Patel | July 30, 2010; 02:14 PM ET | Comments (18)

'Un-Christ-like' intolerance of Cordoba House

Fear is being used to foment anger and political zealotry. Somehow we are to believe that the construction of a 15-story Islamic community center in New York City will be a tipping point leading to the decline of American civilization, the dissolution of Christian faith, and the reversal of hundreds of years of western legal precedent.

By Eboo Patel | July 29, 2010; 02:08 PM ET | Comments (35)

Evangelicals to weigh in on Cordoba House

I've asked to ask several Evangelical leaders to offer their thoughts on the planned Muslim Community Ceter in lower Manhattan here on "The Faith Divide." Over the next couple of weeks or so starting tomorrow, I'll be publishing commentary from a range of prominent Evangelicals.

By Eboo Patel | July 25, 2010; 10:41 PM ET | Comments (3)

Inheriting religious prejudice

But that pattern of violence isn't inevitable. I don't have to dislike all Catholics because a pre-Vatican II priest excommunicated my grandpa, and youth in Belfast don't have to react with violence because that's the environment they've grown up in.

By Eboo Patel | July 20, 2010; 03:59 PM ET | Comments (5)

Immigration reform: A Jewish imperative

Jewish history is rife with examples of Jews who have been turned away when they sought refuge. As an American Jew, I feel it is my responsibility to my great-grandparents and to my people that I advocate for a fair and just system of immigration today.

By Eboo Patel | July 16, 2010; 09:20 AM ET | Comments (5)

Shared faith in the earth

A Christian and Secular Humanist disagree on the afterlife, but agree that life on earth demands environmental protection now.

By Eboo Patel | July 8, 2010; 08:19 AM ET | Comments (2)

Repairing the world

Jewish group shows me that part of being a Muslim, Evangelical, Catholic, citizen, etc., is serving together.

By Eboo Patel | June 30, 2010; 03:18 PM ET | Comments (3)

Walking together

In march against domestic violence, Jeff Pollet and other non-believers bond with believers on a spiritual level.

By Eboo Patel | June 22, 2010; 10:10 AM ET | Comments (6)

To the Class of 2010

Why can't this generation make interfaith cooperation a social norm?

By Eboo Patel | June 14, 2010; 12:18 PM ET | Comments (10)

Drawing Muhammad respectfully

Anyone has a right to 'draw Muhammad,' but we all have a responsibility to be respectful of other religious beliefs and sensitivities.

By Eboo Patel | May 20, 2010; 10:31 AM ET | Comments (22)

Arizona's network of mutuality

Welcoming the immigrant stranger not only enriches our lives, but builds a stronger, healthier America.

By Eboo Patel | May 18, 2010; 01:17 PM ET | Comments (0)

A blessing from the Dalai Lama

The Buddhist-Muslim dialogue affirms how faith communities can differ in theology but come together on shared values.

By Eboo Patel | May 17, 2010; 12:30 PM ET | Comments (16)

Free speech or foul behavior?

Are students who 'Draw Muhammad' with chalk defending free speech or just being unnecessarily divisive?

By Eboo Patel | May 10, 2010; 04:13 PM ET | Comments (78)

The end of malaria

Young people are leading interfaith efforts to reduce and eradicate malaria.

By Eboo Patel | April 26, 2010; 09:10 AM ET | Comments (3)

Beyond aggressive atheism

Atheists and secular humanists are partnering with religious groups to do service projects and engage in civil discussions.

By Eboo Patel | April 13, 2010; 05:19 PM ET | Comments (25)

The new identity politics of religion

How should people of faith respond to today's divisive identity politics?

By Eboo Patel | April 5, 2010; 11:51 AM ET | Comments (8)

Van Jones, faith hero

How Van Jones responded to Glenn Beck and his other tormentors is a lesson in grace to all people of faith.

By Eboo Patel | March 5, 2010; 09:45 AM ET | Comments (49)

Stanford standing united

When a group of anti-Semitic extremists came to Stanford, students across all faiths stood together to resist.

By Eboo Patel | February 10, 2010; 12:42 PM ET | Comments (19)

Osama bin Laden and the Dalai Lama

Americans know as little about Buddhism as we do about Islam. So why do we feel more affinity toward Buddhists?

By Eboo Patel | February 5, 2010; 11:17 AM ET | Comments (264)

Hating Muslims, hating Jews

Gallup poll shows that the single highest predictor of prejudice against Muslims is prejudice against Jews.

By Eboo Patel | January 25, 2010; 09:28 AM ET | Comments (118)

Jim Wallis's moral vision

As Wallis points out, Wall Street bonuses are a symptom of a larger problem: the erosion of underlying values.

By Eboo Patel | January 22, 2010; 08:56 AM ET | Comments (0)

Evangelicals for pluralism

If evangelicals bridge the faith divide, the 21st century could be one of interfaith cooperation rather than conflict.

By Eboo Patel | January 13, 2010; 05:22 PM ET | Comments (13)

Oral Roberts at a bar mitzvah

Imagine the surprise of the Temple Israel congregation when Rita and Frank invited Oral Roberts to speak at their son's bar mitzvah in 1972.

By Eboo Patel | December 16, 2009; 12:45 PM ET | Comments (2)

Interfaith power

People are recognizing the power of interfaith work as a vehicle for repairing and healing the world.

By Eboo Patel | December 15, 2009; 10:53 AM ET | Comments (0)

Scenes from a State Dinner

Colin and Alma Powell continue to inspire with their service to America.

By Eboo Patel | November 25, 2009; 10:54 AM ET | Comments (2)

Another Muslim soldier

Like so many Americans , many of my thoughts and prayers are devoted to those in the military. But my deeds have not lived up to my intention.

By Eboo Patel | November 12, 2009; 01:39 PM ET | Comments (0)

Ethical leadership in Jerusalem

Where is Arab Muslim leadership for peace in the Middle East? Meet Forsan Hussein, CEO of Jerusalem International YMCA .

By Eboo Patel | October 23, 2009; 02:16 PM ET | Comments (20)

Van Jones, Patriot

The administration lost a brilliant mind who worked tirelessly to "get the greenest solutions to the poorest people."

By Eboo Patel | September 7, 2009; 08:30 PM ET | Comments (177)

United We Serve in the Midst of the Storm

Today's guest blogger is Meghan Paul-Cook, the Congregational Organizer with the Saint Paul Area Council of Churches. As a tornado touched down just a few city blocks away, a humble group gathered in the safest place we could be, deep...

By Eboo Patel | August 26, 2009; 05:23 PM ET | Comments (0)

What Makes People Good

What are the possibilities of being good if your focus is entirely on the present?

By Eboo Patel | July 28, 2009; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (0)

When Muslims Saved Jews

Nearly every Jew in Albania -- the only European country with a Muslim majority -- survived during the German occupation.

By Eboo Patel | June 25, 2009; 07:11 PM ET | Comments (47)

Two Forces Shaping Iran

Obama's victory in 2008, death of the Prophet's grandson in 680 -- two events fueling protests in Iran.

By Eboo Patel | June 24, 2009; 09:21 AM ET | Comments (11)

Silencing von Brunn

Instead of focusing on the killer, let us rather pour our energy into how we can honor the victim's life.

By Eboo Patel | June 12, 2009; 10:00 AM ET | Comments (14)

Obama, Cairo and Interfaith Service

Obama's speech demonstrated that the interfaith service movement has arrived.

By Eboo Patel | June 8, 2009; 09:26 AM ET | Comments (3)

Obama Draws From King in Cairo

The President did not refer to "Muslim extremists" - just extremists. Hopefully this signals the end of the crazy and counterproductive "Islamo-fascist" talk.

By Eboo Patel | June 4, 2009; 10:17 AM ET | Comments (4)

Obama a Champion at Notre Dame

Obama's Notre Dame speech was a near perfect demonstration of public leadership in an environment of polarization.

By Eboo Patel | May 18, 2009; 09:45 AM ET | Comments (6)

A Righteous American Muslim

Mian Ashraf exemplified both the Muslim and the American traditions.

By Eboo Patel | May 15, 2009; 10:16 AM ET | Comments (10)

The Fist and the Open Hand

Do we choose the way of Bin Laden or Dr. King? Clenched fists win only if the rest of us keep our hands in our pockets.

By Eboo Patel | May 11, 2009; 09:52 AM ET | Comments (20)

An Evangelical Open Hand to the Muslim World

One pastor's respectful approach to spreading the gospel in the Muslim world can help us all build bridges

By Eboo Patel | May 4, 2009; 10:09 AM ET | Comments (13)

Faiths Act Against Malaria

Imagine if many diverse faith communities around America joined forces to tackle malaria.

By Eboo Patel | April 24, 2009; 10:06 AM ET | Comments (1)

Checking your faith and politics at the border

Today's guest blogger is Farhana Khera, Executive Director of Muslim Advocates and the National Association of Muslim Lawyers (NAML). Muslim Advocates' mission is to promote equality, liberty, and justice for all by providing leadership through legal advocacy, policy engagement, and...

By Eboo Patel | April 22, 2009; 07:12 PM ET | Comments (1)

There Will Be Generations

A new Holocaust Museum reminds us all of our responsibilities to the past and the future.

By Eboo Patel | April 20, 2009; 10:09 AM ET | Comments (4)

Virtual Community of Inter-Religious Leaders: the Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue™

Today's guest blogger is Joshua Stanton. Joshua is the co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue™ and a rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College. He is the recipient of numerous leadership awards, including the Hyman P. Moldover Scholarship for Communal...

By Eboo Patel | March 25, 2009; 11:27 AM ET | Comments (5)

"Choose Your Own" Commemoration

Today's guest blogger is Becca Hartman, a Research Associate at the Interfaith Youth Core. Becca originally joined the IFYC as a Public Interest Program Fellow from Northwestern University, where she studied Philosophy and Religion and was active in organizing interfaith...

By Eboo Patel | March 11, 2009; 01:42 PM ET | Comments (0)

India, the Aspiring Pluralistic Democracy

The world's oldest democracy and its largest democracy should lead the world in interfaith cooperation.

By Eboo Patel | March 5, 2009; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (18)

Holding Our Brothers, Fathers, Sons Accountable

From the most conservative traditionalists to Muslim pro-feminists, all along the spectrum there is a growing men's acknowledgment of the corrosive effects of this violence on our communities.

By Eboo Patel | March 2, 2009; 01:33 PM ET | Comments (25)

The Legacy of King's Letter

Today's guest blogger is Angie Chan, a senior Linguistics Major at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, most of Angie's time is spent working with the Interfaith Youth Core's Fellows Alliance program, as well as acting as...

By Eboo Patel | January 21, 2009; 01:44 PM ET | Comments (0)

What Is the Difference Between Bravery and Courage?

Filmmaker and human rights advocate Ronit Avni is today's guest blogger; she is also the Founder & Executive Director of Just Vision, a non-profit that researches, documents and creates media about Palestinian and Israeli civic peace builders. Recipient of Auburn...

By Eboo Patel | January 14, 2009; 11:27 AM ET | Comments (3)

Status Quo vs. Solution for Middle East

The sad truth of the Middle East conflict is that many Muslims and Jews agree that the Solution Rulebook makes sense to them, but when the crisis escalates and hits the front page (like now), the old logic takes over and Muslim and Jewish organizations revert to the Status Quo Rules.

By Eboo Patel | January 8, 2009; 06:17 AM ET | Comments (51)

Rick Warren and Our Either/Or Culture

Win or lose, you have to go to work with people who believe (perhaps passionately) differently than you.

By Eboo Patel | December 19, 2008; 10:16 AM ET | Comments (50)

In Defense of Sonal Shah

To link Sonal Shah to the activities of the Hindu nationalist right is offensive and inaccurate.

By Eboo Patel | December 11, 2008; 09:51 AM ET | Comments (133)

Terrorism and Patriotism in India

India is one of the most diverse countries in the world - a carnival of ethnic groups, religious communities, languages, tribes, castes, etc. In fact, the idea of India is the idea of pluralism.

By Eboo Patel | December 5, 2008; 12:21 PM ET | Comments (24)

The Joy of Alignment

My grandfather has this impossible-to-believe ability to find humor and positivity in any situation.

By Eboo Patel | November 6, 2008; 11:44 AM ET | Comments (1)

Mean Enough for Politics?

If I was an idealistic college student coming of age in this election and considering a career in public life, my idealism may well be giving away to a searching question: "Am I mean enough for politics?"

By Eboo Patel | October 31, 2008; 09:55 AM ET | Comments (167)

Why Al-Qaeda is Endorsing McCain

If Al-Qaeda really thinks a McCain administration would both boost real recruiting AND help advertise the illusion that all Muslims are the enemy, it's no wonder they are pulling for him.

By Eboo Patel | October 27, 2008; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (64)

The New Veterans Movement

Because today's veterans are often tomorrow's political and civic leaders, the IAVA and Paul Rieckhoff may well be creating a social movement that shapes American life for generations to come.

By Eboo Patel | October 24, 2008; 10:30 AM ET | Comments (9)

We Are Iraqi

My parents left Iraq in the 70's, and I've had the privilege of being born and raised in the United States. Yet I've realized that living in the States, so far removed from the situation, I am blind to many of the injustices that take place in Iraq, and I know that others are, as well.

By Eboo Patel | October 22, 2008; 11:23 AM ET | Comments (3)

Whose Religious Values?

As a young voter and interfaith activist, this is what I like to hear. For my peers, focusing on these urgent issues creates common ground for walking across the lines of faith. Without having to agree on the meaning of marriage, we can lobby together for health care and renewable energy.

By Eboo Patel | October 15, 2008; 02:22 PM ET | Comments (15)

Religulous, or Just Ridiculous?

Maher's dogged pursuit of rationality in the face of the faithful is particularly fascinating because his end result - vehemently dismissing religious belief in all forms - is neither reasonable nor humble.

By Eboo Patel | October 8, 2008; 06:13 PM ET | Comments (158)

Interfaith Youth At Work in New Orleans

Since Katrina, diverse faith communities have come together in the absence of government to open their arms, hearts, heads, homes, wallets, prayers and places of worship for New Orleanians.

By Eboo Patel | August 19, 2008; 03:58 PM ET | Comments (8)

Darfur & the Olympics: A Jewish Lament

The hour is indeed dark for the women, children, and men of Darfur, but it need not always be so. If people of conscience are willing to dedicate themselves to ending the genocide in western Sudan, it can happen.

By Eboo Patel | August 8, 2008; 11:15 AM ET | Comments (67)

Piecemeal Pragmatic Pluralism

How can we encourage interfaith dialogue on public policy issues without predetermined universal principles of adjudication?

By Eboo Patel | August 1, 2008; 02:16 PM ET | Comments (18)

Guest Blogger: My Vegetarian Faith

When I told the Peruvian family I was staying with that I didn’t eat meat, they were quick to express their sympathy for what they undoubtedly considered an unfortunate condition. Their solution to my particular ailment happened to be rice and potatoes.

By Eboo Patel | July 16, 2008; 12:32 PM ET | Comments (68)

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