Freethought & Rationalism Archive

admice · 01-28-2003, 03:19 PM

From: Rationalist International Bulletin # 106. http://www.rationalistinternational.net

The New Year starts with an exciting breaking news: the first ever known rationalist organization of Iran has been established!

The GROUP RA is a product of the Tehran university struggle, which started in November 2002 in protest against the death sentence for Professor Hashem Aghajari, who challenged the right of the clergy to rule Iran. It has been formed by some of the student leaders and some professors, closely involved with the movement, and represents a core group of radical thinkers, who have decided to fight the Iranian theocracy from a rationalistic and atheistic platform. According to a message to RATIONALIST INTERNATIONAL, the GROUP RA has been established as a catalytic force for all those who dare to outrightly reject religion rather than try to soften it.

There's hope even there.

never been there · 01-28-2003, 05:29 PM

Professor Aghajari is a very brave man. Not one to throw away his life, but one willing to bet his life, if that's what it takes.

:notworthy

dangin · 01-29-2003, 05:50 AM

Yes. Good luck to those fighting a brave fight in Iran.

ybnormal · 01-29-2003, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by admice
...the GROUP RA has been established as a catalytic force for all those who dare to outrightly reject religion rather than try to soften it.

There's hope even there.

So you do agree then that the way to have some hope in opposing fundamentalists in power is to outrightly reject religion.

Interesting that you and I see eye to eye.

Just Another Infidel · 01-30-2003, 07:17 AM

On a related note.
MEMRI

Quote:

Recently, the conservative daily Jomhuri-ye Eslami, (1) considered a mouthpiece of Supreme Leader 'Ali Khamenei, came out strongly against the calls of Iranian liberals for democracy, reform, and human rights. Jomhuri-ye Eslami accused those in Iran who fight for these rights of fighting Islam itself. Furthermore, the newspaper identified them as enemies of Iran's Islamic Revolution, and declared that their statements are the same as those of "Bush, Sharon, and [British Foreign Secretary] Jack Straw." To strengthen its case, the paper utilized Ayatollah Khomeini's 1989 letter to former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev. The following are excerpts from the article:

Quote:

'...Islam is not just worship, not just study, not just following [edicts]. Islam is politics; it is not distant from politics. Islam is great government; it is one great kingdom. Islam is a regime [and] a political regime.'"

Rusting Car Bumper · 01-30-2003, 08:03 AM

THis is a link which goes directly to the correct page.

Bulletin 106

DC

admice · 01-30-2003, 08:31 AM

ybnormal

FOr clarification the only part I wrote was about hope. I'm not going to argue whether it's better to confront or not. I'm just impressed that those in Iran are doing what they are, especially since it can mean a death sentence to them.

p.s. So far in my life I haven't met anyone with whom I don't agree about something.

Shake · 01-30-2003, 01:32 PM

I started receiving Rationalist International shortly before I joined this board and it's always interesting to see stories like this. These folks would be right at the top of the "How big are your balls" thread that's going on over in MD (I think). They publish it somewhat erratically, but there's usually some good stories about the spread of (or attacks on) rationalist thinking around the globe. It's good for us Americans who don't pay much attention to what's going on in the rest of the world.

01-28-2003, 03:19 PM	#1
admice Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: S Cal Posts: 327	International Secularism From: Rationalist International Bulletin # 106. http://www.rationalistinternational.net The New Year starts with an exciting breaking news: the first ever known rationalist organization of Iran has been established! The GROUP RA is a product of the Tehran university struggle, which started in November 2002 in protest against the death sentence for Professor Hashem Aghajari, who challenged the right of the clergy to rule Iran. It has been formed by some of the student leaders and some professors, closely involved with the movement, and represents a core group of radical thinkers, who have decided to fight the Iranian theocracy from a rationalistic and atheistic platform. According to a message to RATIONALIST INTERNATIONAL, the GROUP RA has been established as a catalytic force for all those who dare to outrightly reject religion rather than try to soften it. There's hope even there.

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01-28-2003, 05:29 PM	#2
never been there Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 2,144	Professor Aghajari is a very brave man. Not one to throw away his life, but one willing to bet his life, if that's what it takes. :notworthy

01-29-2003, 05:50 AM	#3
dangin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: The Middle, Kansas Posts: 2,637	Yes. Good luck to those fighting a brave fight in Iran.

01-30-2003, 08:03 AM	#6
Rusting Car Bumper Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: U.S. Posts: 4,171	THis is a link which goes directly to the correct page. Bulletin 106 DC

01-30-2003, 08:31 AM	#7
admice Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: S Cal Posts: 327	ybnormal FOr clarification the only part I wrote was about hope. I'm not going to argue whether it's better to confront or not. I'm just impressed that those in Iran are doing what they are, especially since it can mean a death sentence to them. p.s. So far in my life I haven't met anyone with whom I don't agree about something.

01-30-2003, 01:32 PM	#8
Shake Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Folding@Home in upstate NY Posts: 14,394	I started receiving Rationalist International shortly before I joined this board and it's always interesting to see stories like this. These folks would be right at the top of the "How big are your balls" thread that's going on over in MD (I think). They publish it somewhat erratically, but there's usually some good stories about the spread of (or attacks on) rationalist thinking around the globe. It's good for us Americans who don't pay much attention to what's going on in the rest of the world.

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