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Charles Kimball  

Middle East expert and analyst on world religions, Islam, Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations, and the intersection of religion and politics in America.

Dr. Charles Kimball is Presidential Professor and Director of Religious Studies at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. An ordained Baptist minister, he received his Th.D. from Harvard University in Comparative Religion with specialization in Islamic studies. He is a frequent lecturer in universities and church-related settings as well as an expert analyst on issues related to the Middle East, Islam, Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations, and the intersection of religion and politics. From 1983-1990 he was the Director of the Middle East Office at the National Council of Churches. He has lived in Egypt, frequently visits the Middle East, and has worked closely with Congress, the White House and the State Department during the past 25 years. His articles have appeared in a number of publications, including Sojourners, The Christian Century, The Los Angeles Times, The Christian Science Monitor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Boston Globe.

Speech Topics

The Middle East Today: Is Peace Possible?

The answer is "Yes...but it won't come easily." After years of media images and sound bites, many in the U.S. approach the Middle East with a kind of "detailed ignorance." Kimball, in this customizable presentation, helps demystify the Middle East by providing a more comprehensible and coherent way to understand the various groups and the violent clashes. As citizens of the United States, we have a responsibility that moves at a different level than many others in the world. We bear more responsibility than citizens of Sweden, Sri Lanka or Switzerland because of the pivotal role our government plays throughout the Middle East. Whatever our government does-for good or for ill -- is done in our name. While there are no magic wands or quick fixes, there are constructive ways to move forward as concerned human beings and as citizens of the world's super power. Kimball concludes with specific steps that we can all take in the areas of education, public policy advocacy and humanitarian assistance. He empowers people to make constructive contributions that can help people caught in the cycles of violence and suffering.

When Religion Becomes Evil

In this timely presentation, Charles Kimball identifies the many ways that religion is an extremely powerful and pervasive force -- for good and for ill. He then sets forth the five warning signs for when a religion has "become evil": Absolute Truth Claims, Blind Obedience, Pursuing the Ideal Time, Allowing Perceived Ends to Justify the Means, and Declaring Holy War. Kimball focuses on two or three warning signs and uses examples from different religions. The challenges posed by violent extremists operating in the name of religion are urgent items on the world's agenda. In this talk Kimball offers antidotes to unhealthy religion as well as constructive ways to move forward into our shared future in an increasingly interdependent world community.

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