Why are most (overseas) Iranians secular?

[Hakim Khan Urgonai]

Banned for a week.

You can ban people?

[Catya Sher]

Regarding the statement that a hefty number of Iranians
have privately converted to Zoroastrianism :

It's not possible actually.

I went to Atesh-kadehs myself in Iran, but under strict secrecy.
I was told by mobeds [priests] that the religion does NOT permit
conversions.

That is one reason it is shrinking worldwide. There are large Parsi
communities in Mumbai and that region. Even those have
declined due to a low birth rate, intermarriage creating genetic problems, etc.

So probably what the poster meant was that many Iranians
have expressed a WISH to convert.

Even I wrote this myself in an article back in the mid-80s that some
Kurds especially at that time, of course being Sunni, were not
enchanted with the Shia system of Velayat-i-Faqih and all that that
entailed. They wanted to go back to Zoroastrianism, and said they would have
done so IF permitted.

Just to clarify that.

Further, I would say from my own impressions, that Iranians living in America
ALWAYS RETAIN SOME SENSE of the DIVINE.
They don't become bland secularists, but simply don't practice Islam any longer.

They still like to talk about Allah however. This is a remarkable trait i
have never seen in another emigre population to the same extent

Iranians tend to see the spiritual dimension or a supernatural explanation
where an average American would never THINK OF anything to do
with God as having any affect on their lives.

It's a profound difference of outlook.

[DMXX]

Regarding the statement that a hefty number of Iranians
have privately converted to Zoroastrianism :

It's not possible actually.

I went to Atesh-kadehs myself in Iran, but under strict secrecy.
I was told by mobeds [priests] that the religion does NOT permit
conversions.

That is one reason it is shrinking worldwide. There are large Parsi
communities in Mumbai and that region. Even those have
declined due to a low birth rate, intermarriage creating genetic problems, etc.

So probably what the poster meant was that many Iranians
have expressed a WISH to convert.

Even I wrote this myself in an article back in the mid-80s that some
Kurds especially at that time, of course being Sunni, were not
enchanted with the Shia system of Velayat-i-Faqih and all that that
entailed. They wanted to go back to Zoroastrianism, and said they would have
done so IF permitted.

Just to clarify that.

Further, I would say from my own impressions, that Iranians living in America
ALWAYS RETAIN SOME SENSE of the DIVINE.
They don't become bland secularists, but simply don't practice Islam any longer.

They still like to talk about Allah however. This is a remarkable trait i
have never seen in another emigre population to the same extent

Iranians tend to see the spiritual dimension or a supernatural explanation
where an average American would never THINK OF anything to do
with God as having any affect on their lives.

It's a profound difference of outlook.

Did you ask the Mobed why Zardoshti's in Iran do not allow conversions?

Unlike other religious minorities in the country, Zoroastrians have enjoyed much greater freedoms in practicing their faith. However, Zoroastrian communities in Iran do not officially endorse any conversions into the faith as it would sabotage that special position they currently hold. As you are probably aware, apostasy from Islam is punishable by death in the country. The Zoroastrian reluctance to accept conversions is quite well-known in Iran.

Additionally, the ban on conversions into Zoroastrianism within Parsi communities is a cultural feature on their part and is not enshrined in Avestan script. You may be surprised to learn their stringency against accepting outsiders is not plainly supported by Gathic texts. On the contrary, numerous quotations from our Zend Avesta can be found advocating the acceptance of followers.

I own translated versions of The Vendidad, Gathas, Yasna, Visparad and other Avestan documents and can verify this. If you'd like me to personally cite lines from any of these liturgical texts, I would be happy to do so (provided I can find them again amongst 1,000+ unreferenced pages). Otherwise, please refer to this page.

I therefore made no omissions or misinterpretations in what was written in previous posts regarding this topic. The issue is certainly more complicated than what was outlined in yours. I additionally have no problems with categorically dismissing the Parsi mentality towards Zoroastrianism in its' entirety based on their selective interpretation and justification from liturgical scriptures.

They are welcome to practice their faith as they intend, but it is unfortunate to see their monopoly on Zoroastrianism worldwide has distorted the global perception on what Zoroastrianism, minus their peculiarities, truly entails.

[faye]

how is it not possible to convert to a religion? one has to get rubber stamped, branded or what?
i would have thought if one believes in and follows the rules, then one has converted to the said belief system.

[یاسمینه]

Iranian culture understandable for those who are good in reading between the lines and know its ancient history. Everything has second, deeper meaning. When Reza Pahlavi fell in with oesophagus (or pharynx) cancer, people began to associate him with Sohak, who had sneaks growing out of his arms.
Another example - Shahaname. It can be read like an epic poem with Iranian legends. But those who know more about Iranian culture will know/understand the meaning of 7 acts of Rustam, why there were seven acts, their links with seven Summer months which are opposed to 5 winter months. They will know that Summer is the domain of men and Winter of women etc. Iranian culture is still full of dualities and so called triads which come from Zurvanism and Zoroastrianism and have links with Indian mythology.
Western civilization has taken a lot from ancient Persian beliefs. Three kings who arrived in Bethlehem were in fact Zoroastrians mags and represented three social groups and corresponding three stages of human life (triads). "Reading" Persian culture is fascinating.
Whatever people say about Iran and its inhabitants, Iran will always remain mysterious and mystical. Contribution of Persian culture in Western civilization is undeniable.

[Hakim Khan Urgonai]

how is it not possible to convert to a religion? one has to get rubber stamped, branded or what?
i would have thought if one believes in and follows the rules, then one has converted to the said belief system.

Some of these smaller Mid. Eastern religions don't allow conversion.

Druzes, Jews, Zoroast., all of them.

[faye]

that is odd, isn't it, no conversions?
yasmeenaah, would zoroastrian influence have been in christianity?. i think the number 3 is an improtant number, used in many civilisations.

[Hakim Khan Urgonai]

that is odd, isn't it, no conversions?
yasmeenaah, would zoroastrian influence have been in christianity?. i think the number 3 is an improtant number, used in many civilisations.

Its their loss.

The 3 wise men were Zoroastrians.

[faye]

interesting. the persians have a good reputation for their cleverness, and seeking od knowledge.
did they get a txt to let them know of the birth and they just popped over?

[Hakim Khan Urgonai]

interesting. the persians have a good reputation for their cleverness, and seeking od knowledge.
did they get a txt to let them know of the birth and they just popped over?

The Qur`an explicitly mentions the 'Majus'/'Magus' or Magians (Magi = Wise men from the East who were Zoroastrians) only once:

"Surely those who believe [in the message brought to mankind by Muhammad (PBUH)]; and those who are Jews; and the Sabians; and the Christians; and the Magians; and those who associate equals with Allaah; indeed will Allaah decide between them of the Day of Resurrection. Lo! Allaah, over all things, is Witness."

Qur`an 22:17

[Karachi]

Iranians usually dont like indian or pakistanis, but they have been really nice to me, I have had at least 3-4 good iranian friends

[kanishka]

Iran is great and has always been so; moreover, Iran has always been parental to every nation around it. Iranians are not miserable: they have seen harder times than most of the world's nations but managed to stand still, in its course. Unlike your country of origin (Pakistan, India whatever) the map of Iran has not been drawn with ruler and pencil by "sur farangyan" as you call it. Also, Iranians have been secular before this government. Iranians have always been secular. I can prove it, but it will lead to another forum catastrophe and I will be banned again, so better I not. One more addition, any representation of Islam is inaccurate.

If you're not religious, it means that you're secular. But you are apparently not secular either (as you yourself also implied). So, what are you? A robot?

It's very good thing to believe in God. It's extremely bad not to believe God. But it's even worse to show it off.

Not true man. White people did make the borders for Iran. Whatever happened when the Russian Empire took Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia from Iran? Armenia and Georgia are christian countries but let's talk especially Azerbaijan, which is shia muslim and divided between Iran and Azerbaijan.

There are more Azerbaijanis in Iran than there are in Azerbaijan.

but if you want to focus only on Persians, then look at Tajiks. They are persian and were cut into AFG as a buffer and into russia (white people) as Tajikstan SSR ...

[tilla_jogian]

There are Iranis and other such groups from middle east who try very hard to fit in, they will eat pork etc I am muslim by name only but don't believe in doing things just to please whites. Turks are more proud of themselves despite being more closer to europeans then any other wannabes.