Theocracy and Democracy in Iran– Given the election-related turmoil in the Islamic Republic of Iran, can democracy ever take hold in a theocracy? How should the Obama administration respond to the disputed election and to Iran’s ruling clerics?
To someone outside the Muslim world, the ideal of a pure Islamic state looks like a reactionary form of repression. The contradictions between a modern state and one based on the Quran, a divinely inspired document from the seventh century, are simply too great. The issue of theocracy comes down to that. Even though over 70% of Iranians are in favor of electing their supreme leader, a democratically chosen dictator remains a dictator, and the vexing problems of modern life will still be filtered through medieval dictates.
The most basic contradiction in this scheme has to do with power. Democracy gives power to the people, but not if they are voting to give that power away to clerics with absolute dominion over them.
Parallel to Iran, the Taliban in Afghanistan attempted to create an “Islamic paradise,” which to the outside world was a travesty of human rights violations and barbaric social practices. Yet to the faithful it would be ideal if every pronouncement of the Prophet served to guide everyday life down to the tiniest details. Various ayatollahs and mullahs already operate as arbiters whose pronouncements have the weight of law, or at the very least of moral authority.
The educated, Westward-looking minority in Muslim society leads a double life. In private they are free of clerical strictures and think on their own; in public they obey the rules set down by theocratic repression. What we are witnessing in the Iranian street riots is the tension inherent in a double life. Young people, reformists, and religious moderates have formed an ad hoc coalition fueled by idealism and resentment. But if the Ayatollah Khamenei should follow his previous pattern and make a few conciliatory concessions — as he has begun to do with his call for an electoral recount — the built-in contradiction of a democratic theocracy will remain.
Does the U.S. have any role to play in this scenario?
The consensus seems to be no. To a modern secularist, the very notion of living under a theocracy is abhorrent, and the world has been burned once through the spectacle of the Taliban’s grotesque rule before they were overthrown. Modernism is an unstoppable force, however. Throughout the Arab world it’s been a race to see how long it takes for the Internet and the iPod to undermine the mullahs. But modernism alone can’t resolve the issues of women’s rights, religious extremism, and despotism in government that are endemic in Arab states. Blinded by the ideal of heaven on earth, even moderate Muslims acquiesce to intolerable conditions. After all, the freedom not to worship, one of the most basic in the West, is a crime in the Muslim world. A steady if slow evolution is the best we can hope for; in the meantime, the prudent policy for the Western nations is to counter the worst excesses of dictatorial governments as best we can. The rest comes down to a shift in collective consciousness of the kind that seems to be happening, with ups and downs, on a global scale.
Published in the Washington Post OnFaith
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Collective consciousness – higher consciousness – Through left- wing
political ideology?
We can make the world flat with collective consciousness,
“everybody knows”. Second hand smoke causes (———-)
I suggest that if we do not have higher consciousness as well
as collective consciousness we may just be blowing smoke.
After all, aren’t we “truth seekers”?
A) Conservatives emphasize truth (morals),
B) Liberals emphasize grace (compassion).
Hmmmm…
“Since the measuring device has been
constructed by the observer…we have
to remember that what we observe is not
nature in itself but nature exposed to our
method of questioning.” -Heisenberg
And
“Every tool carries with it the spirit
by which it has been created.” -Heisenberg
I choose- B.
Morality cannot manifest compassion as
effectively as compassion can manifest
morality.
You, who are on the road
Must have a code
That you can live by.
And so, become yourself
Because the past
Is just a goodbye. -CSN&Y
Bush, Cheney, and Rove-
“You’re either with us, or
agin’ us…” >> Immoral.
Buhbye.
Webster,
So liberals exercise compassion huh? I submit it is a selective
compassion…. the choice of having compassion over the death by
hunting of animals – or the taking of life from the womb.
Why could the conservative not be viewed just as compassionate
(in your worldview)?
This exposes another critical conflict in your worldview….. You can’t claim
any moral high ground unless you have a objective standard. You have no
basis to establish moral or compassionate behavior… Only an Omnipotent,
Omnipresent and All Powerful Judge can do that.
Isn’t it curious why there always seems to be a clear dichotomy….
The left will support all these animal rights issues but will not lift a
finger to protect the unborn…. There is a “war” going on here…
As His word says, “Choose this day who you will serve”.
Oh, and by the way… When you get to the end of the story…. He wins!
I’m sure your summary statement isn’t
based on fact. You weren’t even aware
that
“The Kingdom of Heaven Is Within”
was even in “your Bible” until I found
it for you. Whoever is reading it to you
is omitting facts.
Abortion is still a women’s choice. Admit
it…you’re not pro-life, you’re anti-women.
You believe a woman’s primary function is to
function as a brood mare for the state.
Your “high ground” really isn’t that high, hack.
Somebody enlighten me. Deepak Chopra is not a truth
seeker?
I know that morality takes a back seat on the left. It is
reflected in our society today. But are you saying that
truth doesn’t matter? Truth= what’s so in the matter.
Are you trying to say it doesn’t take a back
seat on the right? Coz’ that would be out
and out denial, going all the way back to,Nixon.
There was a conservative U.S. Senator
from, Nevada, Chairman of the Republican
Senate Policy Committee, who resigned his
position this week. As I understand it, he was
also involved in the Promise Keepers, a
Christian organization. Something about
marital infedelity.
So tell me. How do those on the left affect his
decision to make THAT choice? You brought
it up. Larry Craig? WMD, and the lack thereof?
Abu Ghraib? Waterboarding?
Are you in some sort of denial?
What I did say was the path to morality
is through compassion.
Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there
shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD:
whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.
Exodus 35:2
Yer all goin to hell. All a yers
When I try to read your response my head spins and my eyes cross.
I am not a religious believer and I actually find politics nauseating.
Are you avoiding my inquiry?
Webster, you’re avoiding the issue…. Is it life, or not?
Most Sates recognize it is a life in the case of manslaughter.
You’re on that slippery slope again Webster!
There’s that frustrating conflict again! Making one moral judgment
while ignoring another…..You can say and choose as you like, but you
are committing intellectual suicide…. Typical of the left, you fit in
very well my friend!
Jed,
That is the Old Testament Law.
Christ’s death on the Cross did away with the Law…. He is the “Lamb”
of God who taketh away the sins of the world… Replacing the lamb
used for sacrifice in the temple, another requirement of the Law.
He said “It is finished” before His death and the veil in the Jewish temple
was “rent” symbolizing the end of it.
hackman says:
Webster, you’re avoiding the issue…. Is it life, or not?
Most Sates recognize it is a life in the case of manslaughter.
You’re on that slippery slope again Webster!
There’s that frustrating conflict again! Making one moral judgment
while ignoring another…..You can say and choose as you like, but you
are committing intellectual suicide…. Typical of the left, you fit in
very well my friend!
………………………………
Looks like someone pushed your hot button, hack.
Intellectual suicide?
Your interpretations of scripture, coupled with your
multiple screen names to stay on board speak to a
vacuum within. Nothing grows in a vacuum, my friend.
You’re a mess.
I have to ask. Is Nemmerhick from your congregation?
He appears to have the same affinity for scriptures as
you.
# Intruder Says:
June 18th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
When I try to read your response my head spins and my eyes cross.
I am not a religious believer and I actually find politics nauseating.
Are you avoiding my inquiry?
……………………………………….
Not getting enough attention at home?
Webster, you are sounding more and more like a loser….
so where has the rationality go, have we not put our egos aside for a moment?
We have again become irrational, so bring back for a moment, can
we drop the blasting or what would it take us to drop
the defensive behavior of the beliefs. These are not your feelings torwards
each other because naturally we are at peace with each other, it stems
more from the belief defending its nature, as with anything in nature
it will fight for its own survival.
I think I saw something above about truth, maybe these ideas can get something
fired up on this front. What we’ve come to know as truth, are really only fractions
of the truth, as they are not directly experienced from the human. Even when
expounding information that we may “know” no longer becomes Truth but a fraction
a path in which can guide the ignorant (and we are all ignorant in respect to
clinging to knowledge as our truth base). Truth cannot be explained in words,
it is that language in which speaks to the Heart (Your True Nature, God, Absolute)
whatever you want to call it. It is that awe moment in which is like seeing
a sunset that you cannot put words to the action. It is only after that the mind
says, “this was beautiful” but even having the mind make this distinction, does
it not distort its true value? so written truth, is very important, it is to guide, but
there comes a point in which you must earnestly seek with reason the Truth.
so is it meaningless or is it meaningful, it is neither and both. I know this doesn’t
really give you an answer, but the answer is nothing something that can be put into
words. Its something that must be picked up by the Heart.
Again I am aware of my own ignorance, I hope this doesn’t feel like I’m trying
to convert anyone to anything, my banter is no greater than your banter i can
assure you, I would just rather us collectively come up with something better
then for this to turn into just a shouting match, you dig?
Two types of conversations:
1) A conversation designed and aimed at getting to the truth in the matter.
2) Designed only by the need to be right, e.g. politics.
#2 is not really worth having.
Please note the distinction:
The truth “in the matter” , What’s so.
versus
the TRUTH
For example: A business man must deal with the truth in the matter.
He must know what he’s dealing with in order to make correct decisions
He can have good ideas but if they’re not based in reality, actuality his
business will be in deep voo doo.
This is a case where business dynamics has a place in all our lives.
# hackman Says:
June 18th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Webster, you are sounding more and more like a loser….
…………………………….
I see your bible isn’t working for you again.
If we took a straw poll of posters here on site, I’d
have to say your projection would land squarely in
your lap with regard to, losers.
Best be getting another screen name up and running.
Webster,
I realize I am in the Land of Lunacy here and would expect such an outcome.
# hackman Says:
June 19th, 2009 at 6:53 am
Webster,
I realize I am in the Land of Lunacy here
and would expect such an outcome.
……………………………………….
Love the way you validate your truth.
Why that is most generous of you… Thanks!
# hackman Says:
June 19th, 2009 at 6:58 am
Why that is most generous of you… Thanks!
……………………….
Another example of your dysfunctional cultism?
**************************************************************************************
I feel it is time for me to make my point on this site and then move on.
****************************************************************************************
Barrack Obama has maneuvered himself into a position of power over
business people and mistakenly thinks he is superior to them. It’s a little
like the kid with a gun; he doesn’t know what he’s talking about but
nevertheless you must do what he says.
Barrack Obama will fail. America will survive, but not before a great deal
of damage is done. A great deal of damage has already been done, but the
people are starting to see.
*********************************************************************************
Marxism is a beautiful philosophy. If you have not read the Communist
Manifesto you must do so. Marxism fails every time. Do not mistake that
which sounds good for that which works. America has been weakened
to the degree that Marxist ideals have been infused into our system. The
bubble is ready to burst. We are headed for collapse. America will survive.
Capitalism is not the enemy; that is a notion held by some highly intelligent,
highly educated intellectuals who think they know something.
Intruder,
There must be a breaking point, in an old system in order for new
ideas and innovations to be implemented, so I do agree with
the view that America will survive but first must collapse before
growth can continue to happen within this country. You can’t stay
on an old system the whole time, otherwise it stagnates and there
is no growth, I think that is what people are beginning to see and that.
Nice post intruder.
Capitalism may not be the enemy,
but in its current guise it does not
work for everybody. There is a reason
why the destruction of the middle-class
was priority one in the conservative
administrations going back to, Reagan.
Granted, it will be painful for those with
wealth, or born into “privilege”. But this
is the price they’ll pay for their excesses.
The best and brightest? Laughable. More
like Pavlov’s pigs returning to the trough,
time, and time again. As Reagan often
pointed out…fix the supply side.
The price paid by those who could least
afford it the last 8 years was birthed by
criminal intent. This, too, will be part of
the new equation for capitalism. The poor
know all about the bubble bursting. Over,
and over again.
Marxism is a “sky is falling” answer to
the wrong question.
The right questions are being framed as
we speak.
Better late than never.
“Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have,
shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall
ye buy bondmen and bondmaids.” Lev. 25:44
Ever las one a yers is a gol durn buncha whoremongers. All a yers
I fergot more about Jesus an at gol durn moron hacker ever
found out in church. Yer an idjit is what yer are. Yer got 2 ears
to hear and 1 mouth to speak. Idjit
Jeddidah
Rock on, brother
It’s this simple on Obama….He spends 780 billion on a “stimulus” plan
of which only 27 billion is tangible infrastructure work that will create jobs and
return value. The rest will go up in smoke like everything else the government
does. So we then leave ourselves in a situation that must ultimately result in
runaway inflation… You don’t have to be a genius (Webster) to understand
the simple mechanics here. If you honestly think that we will return to anything
but sluggish growth if any) you have to be nuts. On top of that, do any of you
have kids? Do you even care what their future will be and the debt burden
we are saddling them with? And Obama’s not done, he now wants government
to be the “single payer” in his healthcare program. Oh, that’s a stroke of genius!
Yeah, put the all ‘uber efficient government bureaucrats on it, that’s a sure resipe
for disaster….They’ve sure done a good job of pi$$ing away our SS, Medicare
and Medicaid programs.
Oh yeah, wasn’t it cool that your president went to congress after approving all
this wasteful spending (and earmarks he said he would veto) and told them
they have to save a dollar to spend a dollar….. With leadership like that how
can we go wrong….
And you all think I’m a fool for believing in Christ? That’s pretty good!
And you want them to be our health care provider, right!
Jed,
Yeah man! rock on!
Just save some of the rocks to fill that empty head!
By the way, you have a nephew named Jethro?
Reads like you spent the evening with
Fox News again.
Actually 60%-plus of physicians want the
single payer health care program. The vast
majority of Americans also. Except you.
Reagan and Bush had a bigger impact
on, as you say, pissing away SS, Medicare,
and, to be sure, the national treasury. It must
be tough for youto face it, but face it you will.
Your ideology sucks.
So does your circular logic.
# hackman Says:
June 19th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Jed,
Yeah man! rock on!
Just save some of the rocks to fill that empty head!
By the way, you have a nephew named Jethro?
…………………………………………………
I’ll bet his shotgun is cleaner than yours.
Jeddidah Memmerick
Excuse me but you sound like one of the mountain folk
from the old movie Deliverance. Be careful. Ya know what
happened to them.
Word of advice – it ain’t nice to try to talk southern if ya ain’t
from the south.
I gotta say it,
anything you accomplish with your obvious childish ego
is probably not worth having. I.m projecting your ultimate
failure unless you find some maturity.
From my observation point it would appear that you are
incapable of having a conversation that might make a
difference. You seem to me to be too mstuck on your
self rightness and know it all.
Sorry, but that’s my take on it.
Webster,
You didn’t address one sentence out of my previous post….. Why
should we care what physicians want? They have a vested special
interest in this issue. And when are you going to stop blaming Bush,
Reagan, et al for decisions BHO is making…
Let’s try again, very simple this time.
How are we going to pay it back?
Under such a high debt burden, how can taxpayers keep enough of
their income to keep up the demand side of the equation? (no demand-
no jobs)
–In this scenario, how will runaway inflation be avoided? Now I know
I’m stretching your limits here Webster, but think deeply for a moment.
–What happens to personal income value under inflation?
Webster: “Uh, it goes down?”
That’s right Webster, good job!
–What happens to the number
below the “poverty line”?
Webster: “uh, it gets bigger”
Yup, you’re two for two Webby!
You guys are running
low on neurons aren’t you?
Hackman:
You don’t get it do you.
They are out to collapse America. Then rebuild her the “right
way” their way. One world with Christians sucking hind tit.
You are his toy to play with now.
They know everything. Too many people have money in excess.
They’re going to take that money and redistribute it.
When they’re through everything will just be hunky dory. No more
stupid Christians. No more Capita;ist pigs, Capitalist Elitist,
rich people.
When they are in “power” (which is what they’re after) they
will have “compassion” for little you.
Everything will be run through collective consciousness as
instructed by the head benevolent guru.
Are you getting the idea? Don’t worry. They have it ALL worked
out. Little you will be taken care of.
I don’t understand where all the theys and you guys are coming from? lol
These are not my ideas nor do i take credit for them. You can have all the ideas,
I have no use for them. Everyone it seems to always be out to either point the
finger or to say “my way is the right way” in this conversation.
I’d rather just observe, throw in a thought here and there, not that its my thought,
just to see how its reacted to in of itself.
You’re right Josh.
LS,
You don’t get it….
You live in a world that doesn’t exist… You yearn for a world system
where everyone can have their own view of reality and just be happy.
You don’t feel it’s important to argue or defend a viewpoint because you
really don’t believe in anything….. Above it all stands an empirical truth.
It is a truth that can stand the test of logic and critical thinking… It may take work
to ascertain and it’s impossible to fully understand but any world view that
is in conflict with itself (as yours is) can and should be discarded… For
reasons unknown you and the other Deepak followers can’t do it….
Part of your problem I believe is charlatans like Deepak who lay claim to
special authority (“Enlightened”) and therefore his ideas are above scrutiny…
If he truly was “enlightened his ideas would stand the test of logic and
critical analysis… They don’t!
Josh,
by the way, because I agree with you that they ultimately
seek to tear down everything that made this country what it is,
I choose to do everything I can to expose this evil. It may seem fruitless
at times as it appears that they have discarded sound critical thought
processes… Obviously, you would have to to buy in to this garbage in the
place.
I may disagree with you somewhat in that although their are some with
evil intentions (like Deepak). Many are sincerely searching for the answers
to life’s questions, Why am I here etc..
Hackman
Webster is a lesbian. Maybe that will put things in perspective
for you. A 35 yr old bull dyke cookie kisser.
hackman,
firstly I apologize to you, for I’ve turned you into a jester, how foolish.
You shape and try and bend my reality so that it fits yours. You make critical
assumptions about this humans way of life and you call your “tests of logic”
solid. However your tests of logic will never be constant, because of the way
your intellect seems to work, it will always be subject to change, therefore it
will never be fully truth. I apologize that you are trapped in this, and I wish I
could help you out but you have to be receptive to it.
Firstly, it is you who thinks that my world is in conflict, to answer this, its easy to
say that it is not my world, I do not own it, you are the only one who believes
that you can possibly own something on this planet. So it is your world that is
shaken because I do not believe in your world as being real, it is no different
then a dream world, something which you’ve grown fond of and attached to
the years of that lifes body.
Secondly, I am not a follow of Deepak, there are things hes said that
point towards the truth but you take everything which is handed to you
as second hand information and can only point, it cannot liberate, you
must earnestly experience on your own. You can try and tell me how much
you know about me but lets be honest, you do not know me nor will you
ever come to know me. All of your beliefs are only distortions, your image
of me, and that is not me, how can it possibly be when they are subject to
change. So easy are your visions distorted, you are only eluding yourself
to fully see anything this way.
Thirdly, in your opinion his ideas, blah blah blah… i don’t think i need to go
into this, your words are no greater than anyone elses, sorry if you feel you
deserve a power trip, but your words hold no more weight then my words
hold to anyone else neither.
My world view, please, what world view, you are only playing with words at
this point, I have never once said, “my world view consists of this, this, and this”
is just simply is not the case. So i apologize, I must decline your attempts to
label what you think you know, as its only ignorance in which you say these
things. Are you seriously putting thought into this, I would really like to know.
Blessings.
Hackman
Be careful man. He’s climbed up on his superiority horse and
he’s raining compassion. Probably smoking dope.
TEST:
Rocks are hard.
Water is wet.
Gravity will knock you on your ass and not a[pologize.
Correct?
LS,
To be even sympathetic to Deepak’s ideas is dangerous…. I’ve explained
many times the danger of buying into the “everyone is entitled to their
own reality” and “we should just get rid of the terms “good and evil”.
It is how people can justify the worst in human behavior and ultimately
leads only to a reality where one judges good and evil by, “what is
best for me”.
You’ve shared enough of your thoughts on this site to understand
what your beliefs are. Sorry you have a problem with me reading
them and drawing conclusions by what I read. I would be uncomfortable
“looking in the mirror” as well.
H@ckm@n Says:
June 21st, 2009 at 11:28 am
It is how people can justify the worst in human behavior and ultimately
leads only to a reality where one judges good and evil by, “what is
best for me”.
…………………………………………………………….
You’re the ex-spurt.
…………………………………………………………….
H@ckm@n Says:
June 21st, 2009 at 11:28 am
I would be uncomfortable
“looking in the mirror” as well.
…………………………………………………………………………
As you should be.
Father’s Day isn’t quite working out
for you today?
# Josh Says:
June 21st, 2009 at 3:32 am
Hackman
Be careful man. He’s climbed up on his superiority horse and
he’s raining compassion. Probably smoking dope.
TEST:
A. Rocks are hard.
B. Water is wet.
C. Gravity will knock you on your ass and not a[pologize.
Correct?
………………………………………………………………………..
Died in the wool sheep, aren’t you?
Well yes, that makes sense.
If you’re gonna smoke that stuff pass it around.
Get back to the herd, sheep. You McCain
voters are too stupid to be smokin’ anything.