Lesley Hazleton's work focuses on the intersection of politics and religion, history and current affairs. She describes her blog The Accidental Theologist as "an agnostic eye on politics, religion, and existence." Her new book, The First Muslim: The Story of Muhammad, will be published in January 2013.

This talk was given at TEDxRainier in Seattle on November 10, 2012. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, selforganized events that bring people together to share a TEDlike experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, selforganized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are selforganized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)