Can the U.S. and Iran improve relations?
Yes, says
Charles A.
Kimball, presidential professor of religious studies at University of Oklahoma.
Kimball will speak at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at the Lancaster Interchurch Peace Forum at Franklin & Marshall College.
The
forum topic is "Finding a Common Word: Negotiating the Volatile Mix of
Religion, Oil and Politics in U.S.-Iranian Relations," and will include
a question-and-answer session.
Kimball
said he will discuss concerns about Iran's nuclear development, charges
of its government supporting Hezbollah and Hamas, and threatening
rhetoric of Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
"The point is that Iran is clearly going to be a major focal point over the next couple of years for these reasons," said
Kimball, whose book "When Religion Becomes Evil" was named one of the 15 top religion books of 2002.
"I will try to set a framework by providing some historical context that will look at Iran and U.S.-Iranian relations,"
Kimball said.
This includes his personal experiences with relations between the countries.
Kimball
was one of the first Americans to meet with Ayatollah Kohmeini during
the 1979 hostage crisis in which Iranian students seized the U.S.
embassy and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.
By understanding the past, the U.S. and Iran can make progress in their relations,
Kimball said.
"I think it's very important that we take a step back, as one
of my wise friends once said, 'When you're standing on the edge of a
cliff, progress is not defined as one step forward,' "
Kimball said.
The forum will take place at Roschel Performing Arts Center on College Avenue.
The free event is open to the public and does not require registration.
Jeannette Scott is a Sunday News staff writer. Contact her at jscott@lnpnews.com or at 291-8689.
