Principled Pluralism Requires the Courage for Difficult Conversations

The theme for this first week of the Chautauqua summer is “21st Century Literacies” and in an increasingly diverse and multicultural America, one variety of these literacies – religious literacy – is an imperative. That is because in the 21st century, we have become a much more religiously diverse nation. 

There are few more difficult conversations today than the one over religious diversity: whether we navigate it successfully or become polarized by it will determine whether we will remain faithful to some of our nation’s most cherished founding principles. Our ability to accommodate religious diversity connects us to our founding era and to the principles embodied in our First Amendment. 

To read full remarks, click here.

Coverage of Justice & Society Program Executive Director Meryl Chertoff’s remarks available here and here.