Education is the first step in this long process. Uneducated people are the most threatening to universal pluralism, as they are ignorant to the truths of many religions. Generally, uneducated people believe that their own religions are superior to others´, and it can be extremely hard to convince them otherwise. Patel argues that the youth of this generation are vital in shortening the gap between educated and uneducated people. He knows that prejudice is taught, and is not an inherent quality among young minds. The youth of this generation have the opportunity to learn the importance of religious freedom and make prejudice a thing of the past. Specifically in his novel, Patel highlights the essential role that colleges play in aiding the growth of pluralism in America. He mentions that colleges encompass ¨all the positive social capital in our broader society- faith-based groups, volunteer programs, educational opportunities, [and] forums for discussion and exchange¨ (123). Students at college are free to express themselves religiously and socially, without the fear of uneducated people questioning their beliefs. In the past, students were not given this chance. Rather than discuss religion, people used to push it aside, allowing for wrongful assumptions to be made. In most places in the United States, this is no longer an issue. Citizens like Eboo Patel are making it difficult for uneducated people who are the keepers of generations of prejudice to be heard. In the struggle to end prejudice, youth are immensely important as they hold the key to making pluralism universal in
Education is the first step in this long process. Uneducated people are the most threatening to universal pluralism, as they are ignorant to the truths of many religions. Generally, uneducated people believe that their own religions are superior to others´, and it can be extremely hard to convince them otherwise. Patel argues that the youth of this generation are vital in shortening the gap between educated and uneducated people. He knows that prejudice is taught, and is not an inherent quality among young minds. The youth of this generation have the opportunity to learn the importance of religious freedom and make prejudice a thing of the past. Specifically in his novel, Patel highlights the essential role that colleges play in aiding the growth of pluralism in America. He mentions that colleges encompass ¨all the positive social capital in our broader society- faith-based groups, volunteer programs, educational opportunities, [and] forums for discussion and exchange¨ (123). Students at college are free to express themselves religiously and socially, without the fear of uneducated people questioning their beliefs. In the past, students were not given this chance. Rather than discuss religion, people used to push it aside, allowing for wrongful assumptions to be made. In most places in the United States, this is no longer an issue. Citizens like Eboo Patel are making it difficult for uneducated people who are the keepers of generations of prejudice to be heard. In the struggle to end prejudice, youth are immensely important as they hold the key to making pluralism universal in