If we can exit a relationship, pressure to reconcile lessens; if we must live with those who have wronged us, we are pushed to reconcile.
Miroslav VolfRead
There is no more effective way to radicalize American Muslim youth than for political leaders to make public displays of prejudice against all Muslims. Suspicion will undermine their sense of identification with America and alienate some from both the culture and from politics.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Prejudice against Muslims can lead to radicalization and alienation of Muslim youth.
Miroslav Volf highlights the detrimental impact that political prejudice can have on American Muslim youth. When political leaders express bias against Muslims, it not only fosters suspicion but also weakens their connection to American identity, potentially pushing them away from mainstream culture and political engagement. This alienation can create a divide that makes radicalization more likely as these youth struggle to find their place in society.
Themes
PrejudiceRadicalizationIdentityAlienationPolitics
In practice
Example use cases
During a community workshop on diversity, this quote can be used to highlight the harmful effects of prejudice.
More from Miroslav Volf
All quotes →Forgiveness flounders because I exclude the enemy from the community of humans and myself from the community of sinners.
Miroslav VolfRead
Love properly understood is God—the font of all creation and the ultimate goal of all desires; God properly understood is love.
Miroslav VolfRead
If no one remembers a misdeed or names it publically, it remains invisible. To the observer, its victim is not a victim and its perpetrator is not a perpetrator; both are misperceived because the suffering of the one and the violence of the other go unseen. A double injustice occurs-the first when the original deed is done and the second when it disappears.
Miroslav VolfRead
There is no space in which worship should not take place, no time when it should not occur, and no activity through which it should not happen.
Miroslav VolfRead
To affirm that God is God is to want to live in a particular way.
Miroslav VolfRead
Similar quotes
They talked so, with secret hearts, without needing words, talking of other things... They could have suddenly continued their confessions aloud, without ceasing to understand each other.
Emile ZolaRead
No use slaving for me and then saying you want to be cared for: who cares for a slave? If you come back, come back for the sake of good fellowship; for you’ll get nothing else.
George Bernard ShawRead
Let me tell you I am better acquainted with you for a long absence, as men are with themselves for a long affliction: absence does but hold off a friend, to make one see him the truer.
OvidRead
It’s really hard to hate someone for being different when you’re too busy laughing together.
George TakeiRead
Parents need to listen as much to their kids as they do to them: "The first duty of love is to listen."
Paul TillichRead
Affection is the most important thing. And the quality of affection - with your friends, your lovers, your family. But particularly for your own generation.
Allen GinsbergRead