The Israeli airstrike earlier this week targeting the Iranian consulate in Damascus, which reportedly killed a senior Quds Force Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and 16 others, including representatives of Hezbollah and, perhaps, Hamas, is sure to set off another deadly round of retaliatory strikes by Iran and counter strikes by Israel.
We should avoid the danger of thinking that the Iranian rulers' theocracy is somehow worse because it is Muslim (whether Sunni or Shiite). It is important to add that all theocracy is bad -- all. It doesn't matter which religion a dictator uses to mask their authoritarianism. Theocrats pretend to be doing the will of God, whether it be a Muslim, Christian, or Jewish version of God. All theocracy is an abuse of religion. Believers are dupes if they think the dictator is keeping them safe or procuring God's favor by ruling in His name. We see it in Iran, on the Israeli right wing, and in some quarters of the right wing in the U. S. It is always fake, always dictatorial, and always wrong.
One thing we can be proud of is the solution to this problem that we Americans have found. It's called our Constitution, especially the First Amendment. The beauty of our solution can be adapted to fit any country. "No government shall make any law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Bingo! That's it! End of story! Let freedom ring!
As you noted, the atrocities and support of attacks on civilization will continue until either the Iranian population or some combination of civilized societies say 'ENOUGH' and do something. Unfortunately, the Iranian leaders and military have had a half century to develop control over their country, to recruit and train their proxies, and to distribute propaganda worldwide. Apologists such as John Kerry lulled the U.S. into the false notion that money and the ability to build bombs would satisfy Iranian leaders. Welcome to the real world John. It's a shame that you were not closer to Henry Kissinger.
We should avoid the danger of thinking that the Iranian rulers' theocracy is somehow worse because it is Muslim (whether Sunni or Shiite). It is important to add that all theocracy is bad -- all. It doesn't matter which religion a dictator uses to mask their authoritarianism. Theocrats pretend to be doing the will of God, whether it be a Muslim, Christian, or Jewish version of God. All theocracy is an abuse of religion. Believers are dupes if they think the dictator is keeping them safe or procuring God's favor by ruling in His name. We see it in Iran, on the Israeli right wing, and in some quarters of the right wing in the U. S. It is always fake, always dictatorial, and always wrong.
One thing we can be proud of is the solution to this problem that we Americans have found. It's called our Constitution, especially the First Amendment. The beauty of our solution can be adapted to fit any country. "No government shall make any law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Bingo! That's it! End of story! Let freedom ring!
As you noted, the atrocities and support of attacks on civilization will continue until either the Iranian population or some combination of civilized societies say 'ENOUGH' and do something. Unfortunately, the Iranian leaders and military have had a half century to develop control over their country, to recruit and train their proxies, and to distribute propaganda worldwide. Apologists such as John Kerry lulled the U.S. into the false notion that money and the ability to build bombs would satisfy Iranian leaders. Welcome to the real world John. It's a shame that you were not closer to Henry Kissinger.