Yesterday evening, 27 March, I had the pleasure and honour of being invited by the Iranian-Canadian Association of Burnaby to their celebration of Nuroz, the Iranian New Year. What a warm-hearted and hospitable people these Iranians are. They welcomed us with open arms, and did all they could to make us feel at home. These people are exiles from their native country, where freedom of expression is suppressed in every way possible, imprisonment and being killed by shooting. The recent reports coming out of Iran show how peaceful demonstrations against a questionably elected President have been turned into violent executions by the Revolutionary Guards.
After the joyful traditional celebrations in the company of such wonderful people, my thoughts turned to the sorrowful events taking place in this area of the world.
I reflected on the reasons why these countries are in such a turmoil that have made so many people in the Middle East refugees. The populations chiefly affected live in countries where there are theocratic governments. Religion does not seem to bring happiness in these areas of the world. Has it always been like this throughout the
history of mankind?
Iran is not the only country with a theocratic government in the Middle East. Israel is another prime example of such a government. And like Iran, Israel has a government that oppresses the Palestinians who lie in their midst and on their borders. These two theocratic governments rattle their sabres an threaten nuclear war against each other.
Read the history of the world, follow the wars of Christianity against Islam, and draw your own conclusions. I have my own opinion, and I would be interested to know yours.
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