[inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] good evening, folks. We are going to ahead and get started. If you havent gotten a copy of the book outside, please do so. First of all, welcome to the open Society Foundation in new york city. Its our pleasure to host you for what promises to be a terrific event for the boldly titled book, the end of White Christian america. Its my honor to introduce tonights events. I grew up in the way to sit in the United States committed beautiful state of maine and the United Church of christ of this conversation hits close to home for me and professionally. Id like to thank robert jones was known for robbie for several years and Sam Tanenhaus for joining us that id like to think Elizabeth Berg newcomer nathan mckie and the society team for putting the event together. In addition to the foundation, tonights event is cosponsored by the Carnegie Corporation of new york, Ford Foundation and the new world foundation. Im a longtime fan of robert jone
I only stepped up because I needed some of the money for my project. That raises troubling questions about state funding for the Taum Sauk flooding mess.