****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
There are particular books that speak profoundly to a reader's heart, more often than not because that heart resonates with the heart of the writer. In my case, the book"Sacred Ground: Pluralism, Prejudice and the Promise of America" by Eboo Patel, resonates deeply.This is the book I want my children to read, the book I want my friends to read, and the book I want my spiritual community to read. Why? Because the message delivered is one I believe can change our world - starting in our own country.Patel is the Founder and President of Interfaith Youth Core, an organization that "brings together young people of different religious and moral traditions for cooperative service and dialogue around shared values," according to their website. He is a man with a mission to teach a diverse world of people how to live together on one planet. The book is captivating.The author invites us into numerous stories...about the media's influence on our perspectives, about groups that have suffered prejudice in early America, about how one man made can make a difference, about seminary students and the importance of learning the distinction between concept and application. There is so much to learn from this book. It's meaty and rich - and full of names and situations you will recognize. However, for me, the most important thing Patel does is reframe our country and its purpose. He made me feel proud to be an American at a time when polarization and politics have left me skeptical about the future of our nation.As a parent with four children ranging in age from 11 to 32, I have listened to my kid's opinions about the USA for many years. If one observes the commentary of our youth on facebook and other forms of social media, it becomes apparent that the younger generation holds a bleak view of America.Patel speaks directly to our young people, and to people of all ages, painting a stimulating picture. "Sacred Ground" is the perfect name for what is being offered - a fresh and inspiring perspective of the American melting pot and its immense value in our world.He examines historic America and its leaders, saying of our first president, " Respect, relationship and commitment to the common good - those were Washington's three pillars of pluralism in a diverse democracy." At the same time, Patel addresses our 21st century culture and its current challenges. For example, he suggests "the great fault line in the world is not between Americans and Arabs or Muslims and Christians. It is between the moderates of all traditions and the extremists who belong to only one - extremism."No Pollyanna, Patel brings real heart to what he shares, exploring the pain that drives us to change, as well as the rationale for such change. I highly recommend reading "Sacred Ground: Pluralism, Prejudice and the Promise of America. And when your done - pass it on to a friend.
