Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim in the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation

Why does Patel view interfaith work and pluralism as the keys to a better society? Do you agree with his viewpoint? Why or why not? 

Discuss Patel’s view of the “faith line” and its potential influence on religious tolerance. 

A man from a Catholic diocese tells Patel he believes that interfaith work will lead kids to “argue about who gets to go to Heaven?” Do you believe that young people are given too little credit for their degree of religious understanding? Discuss. 

Why does Patel feel that he has no identity for so much of the book? Have you ever felt similarly? 

In terms of identity, how does one’s religious, or nonreligious, identity make itself known in the world? 

From a young age, Patel understands that ideas that are not acted on are not useful in the world. As a result, he takes actions with the goal of making the world a better place. He volunteers with the Catholic Worker Group and takes a job teaching young dropouts to read so they can take their GED tests. What do you believe are the most effective things a young person can do to take effective action on behalf of creating a better society?

Why does Patel encourage leaders of other faiths to think about the values of various religions, versus the doctrines of the religions? 

Contrast Patel’s relationships with Lisa, Sarah, and Shehnaz. How do his feelings about each of these women shape his sense of identity?