Dialogue is one of American religion's shopworn terms. Although there is much talk about dialogue very little of it actually takes places. Religious discourse especially about politics and public affairs is increasingly polarized; there is much contestation but little conversation. If truths are to be tested however there is no substitute for dialogue. Arising out of conferences sponsored by the Center on Religion & Society in New York City the Encounter Series present the dialogue of a diverse group of theologians ethicists philosopher and public policy experts from across the political and religious spectrum. The subject under discussion are as varied as evangelical political theory Jews in unsecular America the renascence of religion in the public arena church-state conflict the changing mission of the Black Church and the idea of virtue in the modern world.