The U.S. experiment in religious liberty has enormous significance for the United States and for the world. The challenging dilemma of living with the deepest religious differences, as it is currently being met in the United States, is explored in this essay. The point that U.S. success or failure in attempts to deal with religious liberty has global significance is argued in four steps. First, what is meant by public philosophy, or common vision of the common good, is clarified. Second, the case is made as to why the notion of religious liberty remains important to the public philosophy today. The third step in the discussion is an analysis of the factors behind recurring conflicts over religion and public life, and an assessment of what they mean for religious liberty and public justice in the future. The fourth, and final, step in the argument is an examination of the concept of chartered pluralism and its contribution to the current problems. Chartered pluralism is a vision of religious liberty in public life that seeks to forge a compact, across the deep differences of a pluralistic society, concerning rights, responsibilities, and respect. (DB)