The Case for Pluralism in a Divided Democracy

Whether it's a discussion in a college classroom or an argument around the Thanksgiving table, divisions in our society seem both more apparent and more intractable than ever before. Yet, even as divisions grow, we struggle with addressing these societal fault lines in productive ways. In this episode, Carr and Prerna talk about the moral and historical roots of current political and religious divides in American life and on college campuses and how people can rethink the paradigm around seemingly unresolvable disagreements.

What bonds us together? In the present day, even when addressing issues meant to bring us together like interfaith cooperation, spaces and ideas of genuine unity can be hard to find. On this episode of Common Knowledge, Carr and Prerna discuss how two distinctive things—public schools and the food we eat—offer us examples of how genuine bonds can be formed even among stark difference.

When you think of a leader, what image comes to mind? On this episode of Common Knowledge, Prerna and Carr discuss the idea of leadership in an increasingly diverse America. From civic activism spurred by natural and man-made disasters, to new theories of leadership inspired by a mix of personal spirituality and societal change, our hosts examine the aspects and qualities of a new generation of leaders.

This past year, how we identify ourselves has been contested, challenged, and redefined by events and social movements. To start the new season of Common Knowledge, Prerna and Carr talk about the changing concept of identity. They share intimate examples of how their own identities have morphed over the past year and touch on everything from Hindu mommy bloggers to the surprisingly compelling language of sympathy cards.

We live in a religiously diverse democracy, yet our country today seems frustratingly polarized around lines of difference and not connection. This month's episode of Common Knowledge features a speech from IFYC president and founder, Eboo Patel, tackling this issue head on. Given in the aftermath of the 2016 election, Eboo offers his thoughts on how pluralism and interfaith cooperation can be a spur to social action and offers a vision for how to engage, not vilify, our differences.

For many folks, 2016 was a year of surprises, with both unexpected challenges and encouraging achievements. In a special New Year's episode of Common Knowledge, Carr and Prerna share the writings, events, and people that inspired them during a tumultuous year. They also look to 2017 and discuss what they, as interfaith leaders, hope to see in the year ahead.

The values we share in interfaith spaces are often rooted in deeply personal beliefs and customs. We hear about one of those traditions today from Taryn Harris, a follower of the Lucumi tradition. Incorporating beliefs from Africa, Europe, and the Americas, the Lucumi community is a small but vibrant group in the United States. Taryn shares with us the story of her first experience with the tradition and how that encounter provided the foundation for her own interfaith commitment.

When does a spin class go from an excuse to lose a few pounds to a transformative shared experience? The answer might lie in what kind of community it creates. Among young people, 1 in 3 do not belong to a faith community according to the Pew Research Center. And yet, within this group, many are searching for forms of relationship related to their spiritual beliefs. We speak with Ryan Lewis, a SoulCycle instructor, about how he creates values-based relationships for his classes. We also talk with Angie Thurston and Casper ter Kuile, recent graduates from Harvard Divinity School, about similar groups that are serving these unaffiliated individuals.

1 in 4 American Christians identifies as Pentecostal. Often characterized by a direct connection to God and the Holy Spirit, Pentecostal beliefs motivated our guest, Tanya Lane, a writer and interfaith activist, to march through a desert on behalf of people very different from herself. She talks with us about that experience and the values underlying Pentecostal Christianity.

This month, we offer a special short episode reflecting on the troubling and violent events this past summer—from Orlando to Medina. Jenan Mohajir, an educator and IFYC staff member, talks about how her Ramadan this year, overlapping with many of these incidents, was marked by both undeniable anguish and a renewed commitment to connect with those under threat.