A timely defense of religious diversity and its centrality to American identity

America is the most religiously diverse nation on the planet. In today’s volatile climate of religious conflict and distrust, how do we affirm that the American promise is deeply intertwined with how each of us engages with people of different beliefs? Eboo Patel, former faith adviser to Barack Obama, provides answers to this timely question. In this thought-provoking book, Patel draws on his personal experience as a Muslim in America to examine the importance of religious diversity in the nation’s cultural, political, and economic life. He explores how religious language has given the United States some of its most enduring symbols and inspired its most vital civic institutions—and demonstrates how the genius of the American experiment lies in its empowerment of all people.

"Readers will be rewarded with Patel’s rich perspective on religious diversity in America."—Publishers Weekly

"One of America’s deepest thinkers on religion and the human condition."—U.S. News & World Report

"Patel makes a gloriously unapologetic case for such old-fashioned American values as empathetic citizenship and religious pluralism."—Stephen Prothero, author of God Is Not One

"With this book, we experience the sweep of Patel’s intellect and perspective."—Krista Tippett, founder and CEO of the On Being Project