04.17.09
Round 3.. Iran
Round three of our discussion on the Iran. I don’t have much time so I am going to be as terse as possible. It is almost time for finals, so I really can’t dedicate that much time to this topic, because I think most of my readers are familiar with the topic enough to make their own judgments.
if we cant even agree that Iran is a theocracy, there’s no point in having a discussion. whether shias disagree with the statement that iran represents shi’ism is besides the point…sticking to facts, it is the only shia state with a majority shia population, ruled by a shia government. so when i criticize iran’s politics it’s fair to say that i’m criticizing a shia state, just like when i criticize saudi, its fair to say that im criticizing a sunni state.
Before we can discuss of Iran is a theocracy, we need to define a few terminologies and get into another discussion, which I don’t have time for. In any case, you’re saying that if the majority of people are of a certain ethnic or religious group then it represents the ideals of that group? I think there is a difference between Shi’as and Shi’aism, like I believe there is a difference between Islam and Muslims.
the guardian council is charged with interpreting the constitution AND vetting candidates. all legislation has to be approved by the gc…and candidates have been disqualified by the gc on the basis of their perceived religiousosity. the supreme leader, who appoints members of the gc with the help of the chief judge (whom he also chooses), has the last word on all powerful posts, is in charge of defense, media, appoints the head of the judiciary, and handles foreign affairs…criticizing government can and has been equated with apostasy in iran…how is it the case that government and clergy are not one and the same?
Come on.. stop making it sound like the Supreme Leader does everything. He is a qualified mujtahid, you think he has that kind of time? 
The President who is second in command and is directly elected by the people has many duties, including nominating members of parliament, power to dismiss governmental members, appoint different high-level secretaries, formulate foreign policy, and so forth. You can see this reflection of duties when you look at the Khatami-era verse the current era.
Also, make sure you mention a Guardian Council that changes every three years, and a Supreme Leader, who was selected by an elected body (Assembly of Experts) and who can be impeached by that same body. Also note, that the Assembly of Experts also have minority religious groups and non-Muslims.
About criticizing the government being equated to apostasy (and ultimately death) really shows your lack of religious training and you’re not a scholar so I don’t expect you to know. However, in Shi’a law (and some Sunni) even an apostate is not to be punished by death, so I find it hard to believe that people have been murdered, for critisizing the government post-Revolution. In fact, the opposite is/was the case (please read up on the killings of sympathetic Shi’as and Sunnis in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, the West, Turkey, and in Iran during the Shah’s time).
I agree, many people died during the Revolution.. but it was a Revolution and the circumstances were very different.
the qualifications of the supreme leader are also besides the point..obviously he’s an ayatollah. for such a self correcting system, there are an awful lot of unaddressed issues such as the lack of freedom of expression…reformists are routinely censored by their government…they’ve shut down critical media…iran has behaved like any other oppressive government. how many activists have been placed under house arrest? what about those who have been given death sentences for speaking out against government?
You sound like a propagandist machine, the same machine that gets over 15 million of our tax money. He is not just an “ayatollah.” Please read “Islamic Government” by Ayatollah Khomeini (r) for in-depth analysis and information. Yes, some activists have been placed under house arrest, while some are not, including the very outspoken Dr Soroush. Death sentences for speaking out against the government? If you’re going to make wild accusations and claims, at least provide some evidence.
Did you even know that the Leader (Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei) seeks advice from known religious, and secular jurists on a consistent basis? Meaning that there is room for improvement and even the highest ranking official admits and accepts that.
it’s like when i hear ignorant arabs justify saddam’s rule by claiming that the iraqi people could only be ruled with an iron fist. not that i’m equating saddam with iran, but i just simply refuse to believe in this idea that people have to settle for something because it’s the best they have going for them…
I agree (and you better not be equating Iran with Iraq, because that would make everything you said dis credible in my eyes).
Anyway, have a good night.
I pray for your success,
peace.
(response to http://granfalloon.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/response-to-enlightenment-iran/ )