Kristin, you have touched on a subject here that is dear to my heart. I especially like your statement, "This is about conversation, not conversion."  Yes!  As a non-Christian (I am Pagan), I find so many of those who walk a Pagan path are quick to judge Christians by whatever attributes they personally associate with the word Christian. Christians often do the same with Pagans. But the truth is, no matter how much you know or think you know about another faith, religion, spiritual path, insert-your-word-here, each individual walks that path in their own way, with their own connection to the Divine. I like to think of all of us spiritual cookie jars; our jars may say "cookies" on the outside, but there's a world of different kinds of cookies. (I wrote a whole ranting blog post about that if anyone's interested.)  Unless we take the lid off the jar and look inside, how do we know what's really in there? Conversation without debate, without the need for conversion or defense, is a way of taking the lid off, looking inside, and learning what the person in front of you believes, what they struggle with, question, and doubt, as well as those things of which they are truly assured and confident. When we do that...come to each other in love and with open minds...we find common ground.  We replace "tolerance" with "acceptance"...not embracing beliefs or actions we cannot embrace in good conscience, but accepting the inherent right and responsibility of each person for their own walk. I know people from many faiths and backgrounds who are shining lights in my world, and I am grateful for each of them. Keep shining you light!