Religious pluralism is a reality of modern life. Our communities, schools, and workplaces bring us into daily contact with persons of widely divergent religious practices and beliefs. Some people respond to this diversity by ignoring it. Others perceive difference as a threat, and so respond with suspicion and fear. Too often, fear leads to mistrust, bigotry and intolerance, or even acts of violence. The Center is committed to overcoming religious intolerance. It goes beyond the passive “laissez-faire” form of tolerance that ignores our differences. Instead, the Center seeks an engaged religious pluralism, one that sees our differences as possibilities for mutual understanding and growth. This approach affirms both our common humanity and our profound differences. It also strengthens the democratic principles that support religious freedom. As James Madison recognized, a healthy religious pluralism is as vital to democracy as a healthy democracy is to religious pluralism.