http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/11/22/iran.military.exercise/index.html

As I’ve stated before Grand Ayatollahs disagreed with Khomeini on even the most fundamental of matters. In Iraq the great Sadr family was pro-Khomeini while Sistani and his mentor were sworn enemies. This is nothing new. Why do you think the Sadr family was decimated by Saddam while Sistani was left alone?

“Where I live, all that above is OK and accepted. In Iran- as a non-believer, is there room for me – to have freedom from religion?? or would I have to go to Room 101?”

Sure keep in mind that Iran has the largest Jewish population in the Middle East outside the Zionist State. There is even a Jewish membe of Parliament.

I know where you live everything is OK…WELL not so much for the Aborigenes who have been treated rather badly by your people and Govt. I presume that you have been an activist for Aborigene rights???

I don`t blame Islam for what SL is doing. you`re right in suggesting that religion has been used to promote evil throughout history, I don`t argue against that.
If it was up to me, Iranians would still be Zorostrians.

nways.. over to something else.. it seems the coup is entering a new stage. if the rumours about the grand ayatollahs are true. that means IRGC are trying completely to obliterate the opposition by attacking religious authorities. What will be next then? arresting Mousavi and Karoubi? Two weeks till 7th of december. guess we`ll have to wait till then.

Fair enough. I didn’t realize his viewpoints were useful to anyone. I usually just skip right through them. I just thought debating him might become a distraction from more important topics.

“Islam is a beautiful faith”

That is news to me. What is so beautiful about it? The fact that it is misogynist? Or the fact that it is bigoted? Sorry to see you falling into the Sa mule well where the # 12 is hiding.

I am with Barry on this. The heck with all religions. More people have been killed in the name of God and religion that any other causes in human history. God and evil are in every one of us. Those who do good will see the reward, that inner peace, and those who let the evil in them take over get their punishment in this life. The rest are stories charlatans weave and feed feeble minds.

I understand – and I am sorry to offend you. For you, I think this situation is life and death. For me (and maybe Pessimist?) , fortunately, it is not.

I (and perhaps Pessimist) have been playing with Samuel. I know who he is and what he is. He has always existed. He has always had to be fought. He has always ultimately been defeated.

Megan – in time, you will win this part of the battle – which has been going on since time (as we humans know it ) began.

Barry

“Real side of life”? Really? Real Side of Lie is more like it and that is all you get from him and others like him that are in their 8th century cocoon.

I do not need to listen to a mouthpiece of criminal and fascist government to get the real side of life in Iran? He gets paid by that fascist regime to do their deeds, spreading lies and stupidity.

You want to see the real side of life in Iran how about these realties? Sixteen people were hanged in the last two weeks some for minor felony offenses, scores of students have been dragged out of their homes and put in jail prior to a potential 16 of Azar (Dec 7) protest, Saghez is under siege by his thug brothers (the ones he brags about) as if this drug cartel government has not killed enough Kurds in the past thirty years. These are the real sides of life in Iran. Do you want to hear more about the real side of life in Iran? How about not having enough to eat even though your homeland is among the richest in natural resources? Or how about you work your butt off in a government-owned factory and you do not get paid wages for months and if you demand to be paid you will be arrested and jailed? Or how about even if you are a good boy or good girl and you obey the tyrant like sheep you will die of minor illness or infection and if you are lucky to pass age 30 you will die of heart disease or cancer before you reach age 50. These and more are the realities of life in Iran not the nonsense he puts up.

I do not know if you are an Iranian who has never lived in Iran or you are a non-Iranian. Whichever the case may be I hope if you really want to know about Iranians and life in Iran you find a better source and there are plenty.

The process has already started:
Regime Seeks to Appoint New “Grand Ayatollahs”
Following the escalation of protests by Iran’s senior ayatollahs against the regime, some members of the Qom Seminary Teachers Association … are planning to present a new list of “grand ayatollahs” under the supervision of Mohammad Yazdi, Ahmad Jannati and Mesbah Yazdi.
http://www.roozonline.com/english/news/newsitem/article/2009/november/20//regime-seeks-to-appoint-new-grand-ayatollahs.html

I am learning all the time about Islam.

So then, it is OK to be Christian or Bahai in Iran? And with freedom of religion comes the ability to lose faith in a religion and choose another?

Where I live, all that above is OK and accepted. In Iran- as a non-believer, is there room for me – to have freedom from religion?? or would I have to go to Room 101?

Barry

it hurts me to say it, but I agree with your post 41. Barry`s comparison is weak.
the Israeli government and their actions are more comparable to Nazi Germany(please don`t wet your pants) Islam is a beautiful faith, but SL, AN and Jafari, even khomeini, they have perverted the faith of Islam. there is no excuse for their actions: rape, torture and murder.

regardleses, they will soon perish.