In my own experience, I have found that so many of the Christians that I run into have a picture in their minds of most Iranians as America-and-Israel-hating, radical Islamists. This picture could not be further from the truth however. Although the present ruling regime is no doubt staunchly Islamist, anti-Israel, and anti-American, the percentage of the population that adheres to this kind of radicalism is actually quite small. Today in Iran, the majority of the Mosques are empty. As for the average young Iranian, (Iran has massive youth population), they are actually very opposed to the present regime, and most often very friendly to western culture. This of course has its good side and its bad side. For while they are very open to the Gospel, they are also very open to all sorts of western perversions. A recent blog-post by Hormuz Shariat, (one of my favorite people in the world), and the face of Iran Alive Ministries, (A ministry that is more deserving of our prayers and financial support than any other ministry that I am aware of) has brought the reality of Iranian culture into focus for us. Go to Hormuz’s blog here and check out what I am talking about.
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11 Responses
Indeed, Joel!
The people of Iran who are ordinary citizens long for a chance to express themselves as humans who long for freedom. The innocent and sweet video these young Iranians made is a perfect example of such a struggle as they live in one of the most oppressive Islamic regimes in the world. The local Subway shop I frequent is owned by immigrant Iranians and I got to briefly chat with one of the owners on Good Friday as I was the only customer in the shop for a time. Tho’ he was cautious with me and I knew he was from somewhere in the Mideast as his looks and accent gave him away (tho’ he spoke excellent English) he did admit he was “Persian” and was grateful to be in this country and away from the terrible oppression of his homeland.
I hope to be able to have an opportunity to speak to him again when the occasion arises to find out more about him and his background.
Blessings!
Love that song. God bless their precious hearts. May they know the happiness of Jesus for all eternity.
Great points. I went to school with an Iranian exchange student and he was very opposed to the regime. Although he was also, as you mentioned, very enamored with the hedonistic aspects of Western society.
Speaking of Iran, I just now saw this book advertised on OpenDoors. Looks interesting.
http://blog.opendoorsusa.org/captive-iran/
In Him,
Gabe
I worked for years with a gentleman whose family escaped thru the desert after the Islamic revolution in Iran. At that time he was just a child. His stories of the escape were amazing. He also refers to himself as Persian. His escape always makes me think of the day we will flee at the Abomination that Causes Desolation.
Before Christ’s throne will be all nations, tribes and languages.
I dont actually know any iranians, but the happy video they made caused quite a stir here in Birningham uk, quite a negative one, our local islamic radio station said it portrayed
muslims in a negative light: that they should need to try and convince folk that they can indeed be happy. They totally missed the point as usual, and saw it as an attack on their faith.
I love the video!! At the same time, it brings tears to my eyes. These young people are so exuberant and full of life, despite the oppression of their leaders. I have prayed for several years that the Holy Spirit would sweep through Iran, and indeed He is doing so. Remember that these are the people we will one day meet in heaven, all worshipping Jesus together. What a joyous day that will be!
Joel, thank you for posting these articles.
Joel,
The prophet Jeremiah received a word from The Lord about Iran. Jeremiah 49:34-39.
He’s a video of Hormoz Shariat and Joel Rosenberg discussing the work of Iran Alive Ministries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFqy5Hmos2g
One tends to see the flaws earlier than the good stuff.
Joel, I came across, on Twitter and facebook, Hezbollah Watch. What do you know about them?
Haven’t heard of them. I just joined Twitter.
Welcome to twitter, and I tweeted to them that you are a mensch.
Mr. Goodmensch. You as well David. Cheers.