Many people believe that religion is a central factor in the escalation of evil and violence on the global scene. Central to this debate, Kimball insists, is the need to distinguish between "corrupt" forms of religious expression and the "authentic" forms that offer real correctives and solutions to this global threat. He believes that the ways in which people of faith understand and live out their deepest religious commitments will have profound consequences for the future of humanity.

Currently Professor of Religion and Comparative Religion at Wake Forest University, Kimball's writings and presentations are grounded in his experience as a Christian working closely with Muslims and Jews. He has made more than 35 visits to the Middle East and has worked closely with Congress, the White House and the State Department. In 1979, he was one of seven Americans to travel to Iran and meet with the Ayatollah Khomeini during the hostage crisis. Since 9/11, he has been one of the most frequently interviewed Islam experts in the country.

Kimball's book When Religion Becomes Evil was named one of the "Top 15 Books on Religion for 2002" by Publishers Weekly. His other titles include Striving Together: A Way Forward in Christian-Muslim Relations; Religion, Politics and Oil: The Volatile Mix in the Middle East and Angle of Vision: Christians and the Middle East. An ordained Baptist minister, Kimball received his Th.D. from Harvard in comparative religion with specialization in Islamic studies. He is the former Director of the Middle East Office at the National Council of Churches.

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.

Kimball provides a clear, coherent introduction to Islam, the world's second largest religious tradition. He begins by presenting the basic orientation and worldview upon which the religion builds. Within 20 minutes, the audience is able to put together pieces of information (and misinformation) in a way that humanizes Muslims and makes Islam more accessible. Kimball's overview of the rise and spread of Islamic civilization enables people to see the accomplishments as well as the brutality and foibles that were part of a remarkable history.

Most Muslim nations are plagued by legacies of colonialism, unrepresentative governments, economic exploitation and horrific problems with human rights. The vigorous, often violent, efforts to reclaim an Islamic identity must be understood in this context. There are no easy answers and the next 20 years will be very difficult as change comes to many predominantly Muslim lands. But, a coherent way of understanding what is happening in historical context provides important clues for cooperation and peaceful coexistence—an urgent necessity in a world filled with many weapons of mass destruction.

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.

A comparative study of religion and politics, this lecture deconstructs the underlying assumptions behind religious individuals and groups who claim to know God's plan for political and religious life in their nation—or for the world. By examining the bases for appropriating issues of religion and politics in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, identifying foundational principles, and surveying the evidence of history, the fallacies become readily apparent.

While religion and politics always have been linked and will be for the foreseeable future, there is no divine template that can be identified as THE "Christian" or THE "Islamic" approach. The dangers of fundamentalisms that result in religious extremism are exposed as paths to a dead end. Understanding what we must do in the 21st century is discerned from what many have done in the past: draw upon foundational religious teachings and the building blocks of justice and equality to fashion political structures that can work in our time. The way forward, Kimball believes, is found in interdependent pluralism. Many Jews, Christians and Muslims are actively identifying the resources (within their respective traditions) for constructing a more healthy and hopeful future.

Jews, Christians and Muslims together comprise over 40% of the world's population. Many of the major flashpoints include adherents, groups and/or governments identified with one of the branches of Abrahamic religion. In this lecture, Kimball explores the ways these three traditions, claiming a common ancestor, perceive one another. An overview of the historical relationships reveals a long, circuitous and often difficult road. Christians and Muslims have much about which to be ashamed and much to learn in the ways their communities treated others, especially Jews, when they were in positions of power. There are also many signs of hope and inspiration along the way, though.

The challenges today require that people of faith and goodwill in all communities build on the best of their respective traditions and histories if we hope to fashion a more healthy future on this increasingly interdependent planet. The lecture outlines specific ways to move into that future: through much-needed educational initiatives, interfaith dialogue, and specific projects where Jews, Christians and Muslims cooperate in local settings.