Philosophy/Theology Exchanges

The perceived differences in philosophy and theology have been a major impetus toward the so-called "Clash of Civilizations" that has been expounded by pundits and scholars. The US-Iran Program has worked to de-mythologize the differences between Eastern and Occidental philosophy and theology. We have facilitated a number of conferences and exchanges searching for common ground on these two emotionally charged and highly effective areas.

Democracy & Philosophy Today Conference, June 2004
The US-Iran Program and the Iranian Cultural Research Bureau (CRB) co-sponsored a conference on "Democracy & Philosophy Today" from June 12-14, 2004 in Tehran. Dr. Richard Rorty, Professor of Comparative Literature at Stanford University, and Reverend George McLean, Professor Emeritus at the Catholic University of America, traveled to Iran to present at the conference and discuss with their Iranian counterparts such themes as theology, philosophy, and democracy.

The Cultural Research Bureau is an Iranian private sector initiative (NGO) located in Tehran. CRB is comprised of a team of multidisciplinary authoritative academics and professionals, active in the fields of education, heritage, visual media, information technology, youth, urban development, environmental issues, and governance. A matter of keen interest for CRB has always been the application of its resources towards promotion of dialogue and fostering good will among different parties locally, regionally, and internationally.

Religious Dialogue, August 2003
The US-Iran Program, in cooperation with the Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran, coordinated a dialogue event on Tuesday, August 19th, 2003 for visiting Iranian Ayatollah Seyed Mostafa Mohaghehg Damad. Dr. Damad holds several positions in Iran, including Professor of Jurisprudence and Law at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, Guest Professor of Civil Law at the University of Tehran and Head of the Department of Islamic Studies at the Academy of Sciences, and he serves as judge in the Ministry of Justice.

The Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria hosted the event, which allowed Ayatollah Damad the opportunity to meet with a small group of fellow religious scholars, theologians, and religious officials to discuss the compatibility of Islam and Christianity. The audience included representatives from the Washington National Cathedral, George Washington University, Catholic University, National Endowment for Democracy, and the Center for Religion and Diplomacy.

Building Bridges Conference, April 2000
On April 17, 2000 Search for Common Ground and the ILEX Foundation of Boston co-sponsored a one-day conference entitled "Building Bridges Between the United States and Iran". Held on Capitol Hill with the support of Congressman Bob Ney (R-OH), the conference brought together American and Iranian experts on history, culture, film, philosophy, poetry, and engagement between Iran and the US. Dr. Elahi-Ghomshei, one of the most popular speakers in Iran, spoke about the relationship between literature and philosophy in the Eastern and Western traditions. Also on the philosophy panel were Professor Coleman Barks (University of Georgia), Rumi translator and author of The Essential Rumi, and Reverend Sidney Griffith (Catholic University), expert on Islamic-Christian relations.

Religious Dialogue, December 1998 and September 1999
In September, 1999 we brought one of Iran's leading Ayatollahs, the late Ayatollah Mahallati, to the National Cathedral in Washington to engage in a dialogue on the role of Jesus Christ in Islam. This talk focused on common ground that exists between Christianity and Islam. In December 1998, the US-Iran Program arranged a dialogue at the Washington National Cathedral led by prominent Iranian theological philosopher Dr. Abdolkarim Soroush. His lecture was on the concept of religious pluralism and diversity and was well received by the audience, which was comprised of many theologians and observers of Iran.