Civilizations rise and fall on ideas. Persia’s pre-Islamic legacy — engineering, pluralism, rule of law — is historical fact. So is the reality that modern Iran’s theocracy has suffocated economic vitality, political liberty, and intellectual freedom for nearly half a century. But we should be careful with sweeping civilizational blame. Faith and governance are not identical, and millions of Muslims worldwide build thriving, innovative societies. The real indictment here is not spirituality — it is clerical authoritarianism. When revelation is enforced by the state and dissent becomes heresy, stagnation follows. Iran’s future will not hinge on rejecting identity, but on rejecting tyranny masquerading as divine mandate.
This is such a great history lesson and summary of the story of Persia. It should be shared in every high school and college classroom on current events because I do believe a lot of these students have been sold on the beauty of moderate Islam and don’t understand the reality of how cruel it can be. The young people of Iran have a chance at a future now! Praying that they can make it a reality.
"The theology of Islam, as it hardened into orthodoxy, discouraged free inquiry, favoring revelation over reason. And over time, this aversion to critical thought became dogma enforced by the state."
Substitute the theology of woke into this statement and you have our current condition.
Suggest that fundamentalism in any field, but particularly as we see in the field of religion and culture is reaching its absurdly destructive ending. It's heartening that writers are seeing this pathology and bringing it into the light of day - thus speeding its demise as a remnant of the old ways of living, thinking. Unwillingness to discuss an issue, or an idea or different perspective is still seen in the habit of suppressing and/or "cancelling". Thank goodness all is not silenced. Thanks for this post.
This is Excellent commentary. It brings to mind the time I was a college student in 1974-75. We had several young men from Iran, whom I mistakenly identified as "Arabs". Somehow this came out in conversation, I do not remember the details. However, these young men firmly, but kindly explained to me that they were "not Arabs, they were Persians" and explained the differences. These fellows also claimed to be Christians, so there was that as well. This gave me a basic understanding, and helped resolve my lack of education of this fundamental difference.
Islam is doing the same thing here in America and must be eradicated!!!
Love your opening meme, Amuse.
I must wait until later to read your letter, but previewing it I gather it's good.
https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/us-suffers-worst-day-of-air-losses?r=1n45jn&utm_medium=ios
Civilizations rise and fall on ideas. Persia’s pre-Islamic legacy — engineering, pluralism, rule of law — is historical fact. So is the reality that modern Iran’s theocracy has suffocated economic vitality, political liberty, and intellectual freedom for nearly half a century. But we should be careful with sweeping civilizational blame. Faith and governance are not identical, and millions of Muslims worldwide build thriving, innovative societies. The real indictment here is not spirituality — it is clerical authoritarianism. When revelation is enforced by the state and dissent becomes heresy, stagnation follows. Iran’s future will not hinge on rejecting identity, but on rejecting tyranny masquerading as divine mandate.
Excellent, excellent
This is such a great history lesson and summary of the story of Persia. It should be shared in every high school and college classroom on current events because I do believe a lot of these students have been sold on the beauty of moderate Islam and don’t understand the reality of how cruel it can be. The young people of Iran have a chance at a future now! Praying that they can make it a reality.
https://helenaglass.substack.com/p/iran-war-due-diligence-and-legal?r=1n45jn&utm_medium=ios
Thanks for sharing. I link Helena quite a bit @https://nothingnewunderthesun2016.com/
Usually from her blog. Didn't realize she had a Substack as well. Hard to keep up thee days.
I mainly read her substack. She’s very on point.
Same articles in both places, Already subscribed to her stack. Will make it easier to see when she posts something new as I will get emails.
"The theology of Islam, as it hardened into orthodoxy, discouraged free inquiry, favoring revelation over reason. And over time, this aversion to critical thought became dogma enforced by the state."
Substitute the theology of woke into this statement and you have our current condition.
Beautiful piece. Thanks 🙏
Every time I finish one of your articles, I have actually learned something.
Very good read. Linking it today @https://nothingnewunderthesun2016.com/
Don’t forget who sent pallets of American cash to Iran. BO subsidized Khomeini’s terror campaign.
Suggest that fundamentalism in any field, but particularly as we see in the field of religion and culture is reaching its absurdly destructive ending. It's heartening that writers are seeing this pathology and bringing it into the light of day - thus speeding its demise as a remnant of the old ways of living, thinking. Unwillingness to discuss an issue, or an idea or different perspective is still seen in the habit of suppressing and/or "cancelling". Thank goodness all is not silenced. Thanks for this post.
This is Excellent commentary. It brings to mind the time I was a college student in 1974-75. We had several young men from Iran, whom I mistakenly identified as "Arabs". Somehow this came out in conversation, I do not remember the details. However, these young men firmly, but kindly explained to me that they were "not Arabs, they were Persians" and explained the differences. These fellows also claimed to be Christians, so there was that as well. This gave me a basic understanding, and helped resolve my lack of education of this fundamental difference.
Excellent post. Thank you for the history lesson.