Do as the Iranians Do
On a recent trip to Washington state, I sat by a young man from Iran who had moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area 18 years ago. He had returned home to Iran once two years prior. He said he would never go back again.
I asked him why he moved with his family from Iran and he replied, “So we could stay one step ahead of the government.” He said the government is hard on its citizens if they are not of the Muslim faith. He said they will enter your homes any time they feel like it and confiscate everything you own and leave you with nothing. He said you must declare yourselves every time you move. He also said the government takes about two years to catch up with you again.
I asked what Iranians thought about the West. He said the Iranian people like Westerners and would like to adopt their democracy. They just want to be the ones to do so, and not have it forced on them by the United States. He also said most Iranians do not care for their government and the control it exerts over all of them.
When asked what happens if you are a Christian or a Jew in Iran, he replied, “Islam, Christianity and Judaism are the three accepted religions.” He explained Hindi, Bahai and other minority religions are not accepted and will likely end up in a death sentence if no conversion to Islam takes place. This is the observation of one person who always felt as though their lives could be forfeited at almost any time if they did not convert. All minority religions were under constant surveillance and threats. They are offered relief if they will recant their religion. On the other hand, if you attempt to spread your religious beliefs, that will result in imprisonment or death.
This is not a society that seems to care much about its people unless of course they are devout Muslims. The young Iranian who spoke with me did not have anything good to say about the Muslim faith or the Koran.
In America, a Muslim woman is even allowed to hold a Koran. Imagine that. Some of our American women whom are constantly fighting for equal rights, should take this battle to the Middle East and help get them on track to spread the good cheer. The young Iranian espoused just one person’s opinion, but he said it is an opinion widely held in Iran.
Again, we live in one of the greatest countries in the world with as many or more religious freedoms than any other place on Earth.
God bless America and God bless you all from the Maverick Doctor,
Rick R. Redalen, M.D.
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Dr. Rick is a retired American physician, entrepreneur and philanthropist who has done mission work around the country and around the world. He is now on a mission to improve healthcare in America. Visit maverickdoctor.com or email him at rickr@maverickdoctor.com.