Please,don't cry for me Islam,I am (Iranian People) fine! One year ago the Bush Administration initiated,and started a covert (anothert puppet regime for uncle sam) agenda for the sole pupose of a regime change in Iran,and put their money on the more-moderate pro-western Moussavi,period,end of story,writing on the wall,so blatantly obvious to the rest of the world,and middle-east! This guy comes out of no where,and was no better for the poor,and indigenous people,than he was tweny-yeras ago,and is causing riots in the streets. They should treat Moussavi as a criminal in which he is for not coming to terms with Iranian Theocracy Dogma's towards democracy. Even if the vote wasn't fully counted it's the people of Iran's problem not the United States! For God's sake Nasr,go cry on the United Nations,or the British,and Europe,and to your brothers in the middle-east,just stop laying your old-baggage at the United States doorstep,or you will unknowingly pay a steep price,for your mind's eyes are blinded,thus sheilding you from your predjudiced ignorance,...? PS America has problems of her own,regarding our own democracy!

Its been said before and unfortunately will be said again "has the world gone mad?". Where is the humanity, respect, love, compassion and mercy that all religions pontificate? The cowards way is to point the finger at someone else – in this case God as the dictator of what should be. Shame is too simple a word here.

My prayers to those who will no doubt become victims of these vicious, power hunger wolves cloaked as sheep.

I'm appalled by the sheer brutality and wanton disregard for the will of the Iranian people. I've been on Twitter more than I'd like to admit the last few days and what I've witnessed are kind, gracious, smart Iranian people who are proud of their country and who don't deserve this. I'm curious in the coming months how many of the protesters will seek political asylum in the US and other countries.

I enjoyed this blog very much. You have written it with both passion and precision. I do disagree on your final comment though. We all can still be witness to this historic moment. We can all play an active role in this outcome while not interfering. We just need to keep paying attention to what these brave Iranians are willing to endure in an attempt to have their voices heard.
While the death of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson is sad and tragic, it should not dominate the media coverage like it did. What is happening in Iran could shape history for the rest of this century. I believe it is the responsibility of journalists to keep our attention focused on the Iran story. The death of Neda and her fellow Iranians for the rite to have their voices heard is the true tragedy.
Keep up the outstanding work!

I hope God have mercy on them and on us. Should we have another God messenger to teach us what if good and evil? Oh my!

Answering the heading question.. That is not what Islam states!
One cannot judge a religion by the actions of those who practice it. Religion can be twisted by those who follow it, but that doesn't mean that its what the religion asks us to do.
There is no political punishment in Islam! A person maybe punished only if they violate another human's rights [ that's the body, money, pride and many more ] and stuff like that..
But one thing is for sure! What ever he is doing by asking to punish them, just coz they oppositions.. its very very wrong! Being a Muslim, he is embarrassing the religion!

This is not Islam at all. sometime people just take there own interpretations of things too far.

Hello Anderson and team – the Michael Jackson that I loved and respected died years ago; this beautiful, talented child and adult male entertainer went through a metamorphosis, which in my opinion, had nothing to do with drug addicitons. What does barely having a nose on your face have to do with drug addition? For whatever reasons, Michael wanted out of his natural given skin and body; although I do believe that he had the skin disorder, vitaligo, he wanted to be rid of the very body the made him famous. However, I knew Michael was very ill when he showed up at a court hearing in pajamas. The public felt that this was a publicity ploy – maybe- but his demeanor showed much more than that. Michael's family and friends missed his cries for help a long time ago. Michael Jackson did not die on Thursday, his true spirit died, as a kid, before he left his parents home. That's that Michael Jackson I remember and connected with.

Thank you.

It saddened me to read that the suggestion of annihilatin humans was uttered during Friday prayers. I agree with the article that Islam is about compassionate and mercy. I am a Moslem myself, and I have been one my whole life and I was thought that bloodshed is never the answer and will only resolute to more bloodshed. I'm sure that all religions have the same basic pincipals. I trully hope that those fundamentalist clerics were not speaking on behalf of Islam, but on behalf of themselves. Because that is not Islam.

Hi thanks for your support but i would like to ask you way CNN are scrambeld in Hotbird For Iranian

What I see happening w/ the ruling body of Iran is a bunch of old men who refuse to "surrender" to God as their own faith tells them to do

[...] “Punished mercilessly” – Is this Islam? [...]

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Exactly their aim.

Meanwhile this dictatorship in Iran gets away with severe bashings, disappearing people, and murder. Why? It's always about money and power. Explore the wealth and allegiances in the west of those in power in Iran and you'll see. It's not as if they don't have enough to retire on for the next several generations.

Show me a humble, kind and compassionate man of the cloth and you'll see what is supposed to be. Shame on these dictators!!! I know enough to know this behavior has nothing whatsoever to do with the Islamic religion... or any religion for that matter!!

Thanks for the excellent posting, Octavia. Why do you think the free countries of the world will not unite and demand an end to these horrific abuses by the government? What will it take?

With our Independence Day coming up, I feel almost guilty to celebrate our freedoms while the world sits by and watches this hateful regime destroy any of its citizens who would dare whisper a word the least bit contrary to that hateful religious zealot's so-called "god-given" authority.

I am afraid the rest of the world will not step up and help because no country wants to offend or risk the wrath of other Mideast countries and damage their own standing with them. It's a huge can of worms, for sure; but when so many people are struggling so desperately for just a little taste of what we have, we have to do the right thing and HELP THEM.

Can we sneak in infrared cameras..... and fly in insect .technologies? ...I just hate to see people being brutalized. Can we stop it?
We are a democracy....and we should support other democracies. The people of Iran have spoken and are being oppressed..

Well said, Octavia. True Islam has never been and never should be about "mercilessness". In fact, to the contrary, one of Islam's main themes in regulating human relations is based on verse number 199 in chapter 7, which calls on believers to, "Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; But turn away from the ignorant.". I wonder if the advocates of "Annihilating the rioters" are reading from the same Quran more than a billion peaceful Muslims are reading from.
Thank you for pointing out that such calls of violence are in stark contradiction with the true message of Islam.

This brand of Isalm is Islam. When The West wakes up and realizes that Islam is a religion built of hatred, death and no repect for human life the better if will be for all.

There is no sense in talking to people that love to die and send their kids tobe suicide bombers.

Nice take on this. It sickens me. I am sure he justifies in some way in his mind, for example maybe there are verses in Quran that say that if you disobey Allah you should be punished. I do not agree with this, and I think he twists things to fit his violent views... But I guess this is the problem with many fundamentalists Muslims... They can twist religion to meet their needs. (As can Christians). Religions fall is imminent.

Actually, based upon history, this IS Islam. Would any of the Caliphs have acted any differently?

I feel so sad for the Iran.... I think they should fight for freedom and we should help them....
Its time for a change there that's for sure...

My father left NAZI GERMANY when a youth of 21 years as he didn't want to be impressed into the "BROWN SHIRTS". They wear WHITE SHIRTS in IRAN,but I don't see anything else to differentiate between that horrible stain in Germany's History & IRAN'S Fanatic REGIME.

i just would like to react on your news feature made by a certain ivan mentioning that the iranian protesters shouted protest chants "Allahuakbar"....i dont think "Allahuakbar" is a protest chant per se....it means "God is the Greatest"....chanting God is the Greatest is not a form of protest, right?....so please make the necessary corrections.....please inform Mr. Ivan.....

I believe we are witnessing the beginning of the fall of the reign of the Mullahs.

I as every one want to see Michael one more time and pay respect. By supporting his music, concerts, and him with cheers we gave him love. When MJ said "know I love you with all my heart" he would have pulled those concerts off even in pain to thank the fans for loving and supporting the creatively of his talent for he was in paradise when on the stage. I say to the Jackson Family, to now let Michael finally rest and have a private service and public memorial. The Mayor in Gary is a fool! It may be worth considering placing his remains, because HIs spirit is with God now, in Neverland and like Elvis at Graceland, the proceeds must all go to his children. For once let the legal system do the right thing concerning MJ. At neverland Michael belonged to a world of never ending love and peace. Thank you Lisa Presley for finally saying the truth about the divorce. I have been through much death, but I cannot gather what the Jackson are going through losing Michael. just take a minute, don't argue, do the right thing in your hearts and in Gods way, think of Michael. I am so sorry for your pain. The world has lost something so un replaceable.

This regime has perverted Islam, twisting a peaceful religion however it sees fit in an attempt to justify their brutality. We can only hope the people of Iran keep their strength and solidarity, and have another revolution which will free their people.

It really doesn't make much difference what religion it is, being a cleric is about power, power over people, the power to dictate how they live their lives. The problem isn't people believing in God. The problem is when certain people tell a lot of other people how they should believe in God. Power corrupts, regardless of who wields it.

These "Mullah's" are no more than gangsters and use a peaceful religion as their basis for their insane actions. How can a country with so much youth put up with these clerics? I know it must be hard but numbers mean power the more that hit the streets the less these prima donnas will control their every move.

Never think of people as groups. This cleric does not speak for everyone, anymore than Obama speaks for me. Obama has his opinions, I have mine, you have yours.

We are all individuals, and I would never assign the citizens of any single country to a single judgment.

Once you realize the "magic" of having each person stand on his own merits, you are more compassionate, because you are no longer making sweeping generalizations about groups.

This should serve notice as to the real character of this regime and what Iranians have endured for 30 years. It should serve notice to people who have advocated for years to talk, talk and more talk with this regime, including our President and Vice President . This regime is a Murder Inc. complete and Iranians knew from day one. Too bad other people and countries are now just realizing that.

The Iranian regime is clearly unsustainable now.

As the younger Iranians grew into voting age, they were sure to look for changes to the oppressive leadership that had ruled for all their lives. The younger generation sees little use in being ostracized from the world community because of perceived, or real, hostility from the West and non-Muslim countries.

The Mullahs that have ruled Iran with impunity and with claims of divine right are now as, or more, corrupt than the Shah and his CIA handlers. Centuries have passed, around the globe, with various religions claiming that they are closer to God and therefore, above the laws and tenets of modern society and Iran has now taken their place among this shameless group.

The young Iranians are now at a defining moment about their own future. Their defiance of the rigged vote is essential to stopping the corrupt regime of the Mullahs and the falsely voted in new president.

The shooting death of Neda and subsequent official line that a "terrorist group" had mistakenly shot her is an indication of how incredibly low the false government of Iran will sink to.

The Mullahs are through. Their absolute rule is now without a solid base and their days are numbered. Let's just hope that their remaining days are short and without bloodshed.

It is a relief in my life time to see a President that has integrity and will do what is right and a true family. I thank the Obama' s. God Bless!

Where is your commentary when the Pope make inflammatory remarks?

I swear to all the prophets in heaven there will be peace and prosperity in Iran and all over the world ,only when the mullahs are kicked out from my beautiful Iran

"young people, mostly students, many women who were kicked and beaten in the streets; they were shot at, detained and even killed." Sounds like hundreds of American riots. Hmmmmm.....

What always makes me laugh is humans who say they are doing the will of God, now if we believe in a God and he created this world and the people that live on it, dont you think God is in control of that department. Those who come and say they are killing in the name of God deceive themselves as well as the masses. God doesnt want his creation going after each other, he created Man/Female to live together without death. When will mankind figure this out? God has been merciful, he can take us all out at anytime remember that, he doesnt need Humans doing it for him.

Everyone is getting rid of their corporate computer systems and looking to upgrade to the fastest calculating force known to man. An Iranian vote counter!!

“Punished mercilessly” – Is this Islam?" Finally someone has actually addressed the ultimate question. I read CNN every day, way too much time on my hands. But I have never seen Islam questioned. Anderson, I like to disagree with a lot that CNN reports on, but I am glad to see someone finally raise this question to the world. Now if you guys and gals can just remember to attach “Communist” back in the title before the word China. I will really be impressed. Great question, and article, the world will learn the truth; oppression always rears its ugly head. Today it is in the form of an Islamist Cleric.

Khameini is Islam's new prophet. To defy him is blasphemy.

John Fullerton. You are no better than the Iranian mullah.

The message of Islam is the same as Christianity: "Our way is the only way, and everyone else will go to hell." When you take this statement to the limits of its absurdity, do you abandon the statement, or keep on practicing the absurd?

Is this Islam? Where have you been for the last 30 years? The Beirut Barracks bombing, Iranian hostage crisis, first World Trade Center bombing, 9/11, Beslan School Massacre, Russian Opera House, Daniel Pearl, African Embassies bombed, London bombings, Spain bombings, Indonesian bombings, shoe bomber...and that's just off the top of my head. Islam does mean surrender...or our mujahadeen will kill you. I can't believe you are naive enough to ask! It's called a history book – READ IT!!

It's a good thing the Iranians are still working on their nuclear program, or else the U.S. wouldn't have an excuse to put a stop to this by force, IF the Iranian Left can't do it themselves.

On the day these men are brought to their cruel fate, I will experience a mix of regret and satisfaction that the wardens of human destiny have been beaten back for another generation. If Michael Jackson can die before his time, then so can they.

devil himself will be proud of this guy doing his work instead of true message god sent through koran. Maybe he is member of hell's version of enron?

It's a good thing the Iranians are still working on their nuclear program, or else the U.S. wouldn't have an excuse to put a stop to this by force, IF the Iranian Left can't do it themselves.

On the day these men are brought to their cruel fate, I will experience a mix of regret and satisfaction that the wardens of human destiny have been beaten back for another generation. If Michael Jackson - if Neda - can die before their time, then so can these old farts.

Well said John Fullerton! As for back as I can remember, wherever you find violence, murder, bombings, torture, beheadings, suicide bombers and such, you also find Isalm.

I can't help but think of what happens to people who protest (think economic forums and political conventions) or those who are locked up in civil and military prisons under US control, and think...

...This is Freedom?

It's the same shoe on a different foot... and it fits PERFECTLY.

This is the true beliver's Islam. Read the Koran. Those guys are on a mission from God. Until you infidels either convert, pay the tax, or die, they will not stop.

Outstanding article........thanks for the insights.

John F. It's nice to see that ignorance and hatred are not reserved just for "Islamic" (if you really can define this brand of it as such) extremists. I'm sure the west is proud of you.

The cowardly silence of the American president has caused the untimely death of those on the side of freedom and Democracy. This is no time for silence.

To John Fullerton: so does Christianity advocates the "Holy" Inquisition, Hiroshima-Nagasaki and the Holocaust? I don't think it would be fair or reasonable to believe that these historic genocides perpetrated by Christianns have anything to do with Christianity. That you make the same generlization and hold on to the same kind of stereotype about Islam is only unfortunate, resulting from either ignorance or arrogance.

Religion has been used by extremists for eons to make excuses. This instance is no different. Just like the right wing here in America, the extremist Israeli groups and also the Islamic extremist groupss – the 'absolute word of God' (as they see it) is used as an excuse to further their agenda and oppress.

Sad that we're still living like primitives and without rationale thought. What God would want mindless automatons?

BTW. Funny you never hear of Buddhist extremists. I guess because it's based on being enlightened and not fear.

I believe the people who were demonstrating peacefully should not be punished at all. The people who rioted, they deserve punishment according to the law.

The more you try to insult Islam, the more it will make people to accept it. If, you want to learn Islam then go to the right sources. Not to the controversial figures from amongst the 1.5 billion Muslims around the world. Soon, Jesus Christ will descend and explain the true religion of Islam.

Are these the leaders that obama believes we can negotiate with? Our president needs to wake up. He is being looked on as a weak leader by the North Koreans and Iran.

A reasonable person would not agree with this Cleric. However, it should be remembered that America's government has occasionally shown brutality toward Protestors in America in the last 50 years. Americans have been beaten, jailed and killed in that period without cries emanating from foreign governments. Protestors at Western government Summits have been beaten, jailed and injured in the last 50 years. Only 6 months ago Israel slaughtered 1500 people, mostly women and children with only a mild rebuke from Western government leaders. What did CNN bring us about that? Nothing similar to the Iran reports and accusations. The Iranian protestors throw stones at the militia and similar to what Israel does to child stone throwers in Gaza, they are shot at. So let's forget the Holier than Thou rhetoric. There is a difference between peaceful law abiding Protest and violent Anarchy where property is damaged and people on both sides attacked. I am for Peaceful resolution to differences whatever the country.

I am aware that the word "islam" means submission. I picture that word in the context of the merciless armies swept out of Arabia, commanding submission to their new religion or death.

That is why there is today a swath of "islamic" countries that still mark the extent of the Islamic army's march of conquest and terror. That is why half of black Africa lost its own religion and culture to a foreign Arab culture. That is how the ancient Egyptian culture was replaced by Arab culture. That is how the ancient and proud Persian culture became he Arabized "Iran" that we know today. That is how half of India became Pakistan. That is why the beautiful culture of Bali has been over-run by foreign Islam.

The list goes on, and it goes on precisely where a murderous imperialist army marched, screaming "Submission or Death!"

Funny, but the same could be said about many Christians in America. Those who subscribe to the fundamentalist view in particular, and their leaders (Pat Robertson, as one example). These are the people who keep claiming that America is a "Christian Nation" (thank whatever God you pray to that it ISN'T, lest we become just like Iran!), who think it's okay to take one life to "save" one that hasn't even been born yet, who think the war in Iraq is a "holy war", who call homosexuals "abominations", etc.

If anyone wants to know why some of us fight so hard to maintain a "separation" between church and state in this country, just watch those videos from Iran. Do you want those to be YOUR streets?

I am the way the truth and the life. Jesus said these words. Only Jesus and the Christian faith offer forgiveness and mercy even to those that do evil to them. The evil that men do prove more than ever the love of Jesus. Yes there is only one God and if you want to call him Allah or Jehovah that is of no import. Mohammed was a great warrior and a great leader of the Arabs but he was not the Son of God and his preaching was that of a nationalist not a savior of the souls of men.

This is human beings being human beings. Only thing relating to religion, as happens in any abd all religions or ideologies, those who hold the reins of power or sit on the throne, regal crown or turban upon head, is that some of these sorts of humans get to thinking that they are their interests are god and divine.

LSJay de PAWA

Here is a couple of Tweets I recently posted on twitter sounding off on this ominus threat we will soon have with Iran.

Watch out good hearted Obama the Iranian Supreme leader thinks you are weak, another Jimmy Carter??

Iran don't sound happy "I ask the Judiciary to deal firmly and mercilessly with the heads of the riot,whose heads are in the U.S. and Israel"

Will Iran let loose of their terrorist now just to get in another war so they can divert attention away from their murderous regime?

Iran’s Supreme Leader is a liar, cheater, thief, woman beater, and murderer to his own people just think what he will do when he has Nukes.

Whether this is Islam or not is irrelevant – the result would be the same if it were some severe form of Christianity (so get over yourself, John Fullerton). The issue is not religion, but the cowardice and weakness of the Iranian leadership. If a governing or religious body was truly strong enough, protests would do little more than provide discussion/debate material. The governments of most Western nations are strong enough to endure protests without resorting to the government-sanctioned thuggery we see being done in Iran, Burma, Zimbabwe, etc.

Weak governments, as well as weak religions, rely on threats and violence to persevere. That is why what is happening in Iran is so important: It is exposing the weakness and highlighting the will and strength of a people who seek change. We should encourage them to continue to fight for their rights and not break this issue down into some kind of introspection of religion.

The problems in Iran are not about relgion or some fanatics. People of Iran made a choice in 1979 to put themselves in this prediciment, a wrong choice I must add. As an Iranian and a Muslim it saddens me to see what is going on there in a country that was once the pride of the Middle East. But what hurts more is to read comments such as the one posted by our friend John Fullerton. Ignorance is the biggest problem in the world and unfortunate events like what is Happening in Iran give some people the opporunity to spread the hate for Islam. Dear John Islam is not about hate, death or lack of respect for human life. What you percieve as Islam is unfortunately false. As a muslim being married to a Christian and having my longest lasting friend being Jewish I find myslf once again trying to educate people like you. Im not defending Islam as I don't believe religion needs to be defended and I most certainly am not going to defend the actions of the government of Iran as I believe it is an illigitimate government not chosen by the majority, but hope that you have the opprtunity to educate yourself about Islam and Muslims around the world and not judge a book by its cover. May the lord bless you with more patience and tolerance as the people of the world rely on individuals such as you and myself.

thats ok, im sure obama will denouce that kind of rederick from the cleric as being inapropiate, and then proceed to cut back door deals with him. go team obama!!

Unfortunately, in these times, most people recite the Shahda with hollow cynicism and irony. It is used to punctuate a tragic event or random act of violence, perhaps to placate what the reciter secretly feels to be merciless and unjust.

I lived in the Middle East for 13 years. What you see is what you get. Islam is cruel, brutal and treats women as slaves. I will never go back to any "Islamic country" again.

This is religion in it's purest form. Dogmatism of this kind is inevitable when one boils religion down to it's purest form. This sort of behavior is what one would expect when we take a medieval religion and follow it. Fundamentalist behavior and this kind of knee-jerk attitude is what can only be expected from religious persons. Why should this surprise us? Why do we look for mercy in a religion? "God's" will is only being carried out. It's patently absurd to think that religion of any kind is expected to behave mercifully.

So Elisha the Maldivian is practising Takiya here!

25% of the population of the Maldives consists of skilled ex-patriates working to make the Maldivian econony tick along. Yet these workers are denied the right to practise their religion – because in Maldives only the Maldivian form of hardline Sunni Islam is tolerated!

I have studied the Kor'an (as well as the Siraat and the Hadiths) and can say without reservation: the sooner this religion of an immoral dead Arab is consigned to the dustbin of history the better!

While I appreciate Ms Nasr's perspective, I am more inclined to agree with the comment by John Fullerton. My respect and compassion lies with those protesting in the street, but surely they must see that dictatorship is the true foundation of Islam. Freedom of expression is completely contrary to Islam.

Thank you, Ms. Nasr. This has been exactly my question and way of thinking as well.

I think this is Islam. According to the cleric rioters have disobeyed Allah and therefore must be disciplined. sounds like Islam to me.

I like their Allah, but not their Mullahs.

A religion is defined by how its followers manifest its philosophies in their actions, not by words in books. At every turn, evidence of what Islaam truly is can be seen through the actions of those who claim to be its holy men. Repeating to oneself at every opportunity that Islaam is a religion of peace does not make it so.

The US has a short history as a nation, and one where violence has been used as a means to an end from its very inception. The fact that politican after politician has written that the US is a peace seeking nation set on bettering the world for all humanity does not negate the actions the nation takes to meet its own interests.

Judge people and ideologies by action, not words. Self-delusion will solve nothing.

What the Islamic regime is doing in Iran is not yet the "true Islam". It is probably still one step or two below the true Islam, which the Taliban implemented in Afghanistan before, and are trying to implement in pakistan too.

Islam is a religion based on mercy and compassion. You cannot attack
a religion based on some misguided folks. What about the rascists who
claim to be christian or the crusaders who massacred thousands of
innocent people. We have to think first and not lash out at a particular religion because some people are msguided.

Dear John,
You are probably not Muslim. You may not be Christian. You are certainly neither the judge, nor the savior. Please respect the fact that most believers in all faiths try to practice true charity and seek peace.
– with proffered love and forgiveness, Michael

These mollahs hiding behind Islam to advance their personal gain, they deserve a court date in Haig, Netherland for human rights violation.

Yes, that is correct Islam. Islam calls for fitna (schism) mongers to be punished severely. The cleric is directing his wrath on those people who are trying to create "fitna" (schism). Even after the votes have been recounted and proved that there was no irregularity there are people who just want to create disorder. Take for instance Mousavi. Until a few years ago this same man stood for the same principles which now he is opposing just for the greed for power.

from revolutionary to reactionary in 10 easy minutes.

just goes to show that this wasn't about Shah, Islam or anything else other than naked, brute power.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is a coward of the first order. I hope he spends the rest of his life hiding from the vengence of his own people.

John Fullerton comment reads: "Islam is a religion built of hatred . .". I am sorry he was unable to understand the message that Octavia Nasr was trying to convey. Fundamentalism exists in all the world's religions, ideologies and belief systems. Unfortunately it has taken root in Iran's supreme leadership regime. Uprooting it will take time and courage on the part of the Iranian people. Hopefully the international community will speak in one voice in support of them. I am so relieved that we have a thoughtful, articulate president who knows the value and power in building a unity of purpose. There is ferment in Iran and the world is aware and watching.

And another thing – when was the last time you heard of a Christian or Jewish woman being stoned to death or beaten or shot because someone thought she might have glanced at another man? Maybe in the year 200 B.C. But these barbarities happen every day in Muslim countries.

The sad reality is that there is a huge gulf between what is stated in the Koran and what is practiced by people in power in the Islamic world. That Khamenei is distorting the preachings of the Koran should be no surprise. In the Islamic world, people are subjugated ruthlessly, rights taken away, women vilified and freedoms denied. People like Khamenei rule by decree and use the idea that they speak for Allah to do whatever they want.

Truth be told, the lethal speech of the Islamic cleric hand puppet of Khamenei in Friday's prayers shows just how afraid Iran's ruler is of his own people. He is trapped in a mistake of his own making. Behind the scenes, his very legitimacy is threatened by debates among the grand ayatollahs taking place across the country. Rather than to back off, Khamenei is digging an even deeper hole for himself and his trusted followers.

In any revolt, youth will eventually triumph over age. The Basij can continue to beat, torture and kill. But if the mullahs own the watches, the people have the time. And eventually, the time of ruthless dictators like Khamenei will run out.

A generation of Iranians have been taught to hate Americans. What is fascinating is that in these past few weeks, Americans and other non-believers from across the world have shown a compassion for the Iranian people that their leaders have denied them.

Islam is brutal and the sooner the media stops explaining away the transgressions committed by those practicing that religion the better.

elisha: these clerics are the formal, public face of islam.
I WILL judge a religion by the words and actions of those who preach it and practice it.
I get sick of the claims that islam is such a loving peaceful faith when all the while the clerics and adherents spout and practice hatred, vengeance and violence.

Agree with John Fullerton. What amazes me is that so many have bought into the "peace" lie. Isalm is a religion of the sword. The true message of Islam is one of takeover, one way or another. Americans have been foolish to believe that Islam is a peaceful religion- especially against non-muslems. The jig is up-or should be.

The statements of vile retaliation prove to the world that the holy leadership of Iran are not God fearing and obedient men. To the contrary they are nothing more then greedy old men who are in fact losing their grip on "their" people. It is obvious they exploit the Islamic faith to control, coerce and manipulate the good people of Iran to keep them empowered and make them wealthy. It's not about God or Islam.

If they were about God or Islam, they would extend the olive branch to the opposition and resolve their difference peacefully. That is what God would want and we all know it!

The particular structures in Shi'a Islam focus power on the individual clerics and hold up Imams as beings with with divine authority.

John Fullerton you are more than wrong. There are 2 billion muslims in the world who practice their peaceful religion correctly. By stating such stupid remarks on websites like this you only serve to deepen the divide between two populations of people who CAN co-inhabit the world in peace. What the leaders of Iran practice is not representative of the greater muslim faith. Id be surpirsed if you engauged with anything but main stream fire brand ignorant american media that also serves to deepen the gap between two reasonable groups of people.

First off, "show off" should be "show down."

Second, and on a less annoying note, I think trying to distinguish brands of Islam as "true" and "not true" are futile. There is no such thing as a "true" version of a religion because religion is memetic. It exists in the forms of packets of ideas and principles that are transmitted from person to person. The memeplex (aggregated set of memes) "Islam" varies from person to person, even though there may be some overlap. Islam, therefore, is whatever someone labels as Islam and believes it to be. This nonsense about true and untrue is the same rhetoric the fundamentalists practice to try and sway believers to adopt their views. It's pointless and misses the point. Until we really look at what religion is and stop trying to frame it to suit our agenda (even if our agenda is praiseworthy) no one will really wake up and see what's going on.

I think the best you can really say is that this brand of Islam - this collection of ideas labeled "Islam" - has strayed far from the original memeplex we called "Islam." But if you are going to make that argument, you need to do a little better than defining the word Islam and discussing one aspect of it. I think you're right, that submission or surrender has to do with NOT trying to control people and NOT trying to push your ideologies on them, but it needs to be better defended. The Sufi tradition of Islam would be a good place to look because their brand of Islam has to do with kindness and mercy, and meditation. If you can tie that to the original Islam-memeplex, you may be able to get somewhere.

"Moderate" Muslims claim that the "radicals" are only a small percentage of Muslims.

I disagree, unless this "small percentage" controls the rest as appears the case in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and anywhere "sharia" law prevails.

How is it that the vast majority of Muslims have allowed whole governments to be handed-over in this way.

Of the governments based on sharia, which allow human rights?

As we all know, there are clerics on both sides of the issue (Ayatollah Montazeri, Ayatollah Alikhani). The Quran is not a constitution and Iran's current system of government is not outlined in the Quran. Iran's governing system bears more similarities to Plato's Republic (e.g. philosopher-king) than it does to Islam.
Muslims and non-Muslims alike should be aware that many things are labeled “Islamic” without question. Take for example Iran’s execution of adulterers (though that punishment isn’t specified in the Quran).

The Taliban claim women may not receive an education or run their own businesses. The former assertion has no basis in Islamic scripture and the latter is rebuked through Khadija (the Prophet’s wife who also happened to be a businesswoman).

Those who attack Islam should instead target ignorant Muslims specifically and not make general statements on 1.3 billion people as “John Fullerton” has done.

This is an example of the danger of having a government composed of religious extremist, be they Islamic, Christian, or Hindu.

As a committed, Born-again Christian who has studied Church history for more than twenty years, I find it is just too easy for those in leadership to rationalize and justify their actions in the name of 'God'. Especially since in their eyes "my God" is the only true god and my interpretation of God's word is infallable. Based on that, then anyone who as a different opion is a heretic.

Also be forewarned, this is not just a Islamic problem. the great and respected John Calvin once had one of the men who had worked with him for years drowned because the man came to believe that immersion was the only proper form of Baptism. And I quote, "So, he wants to be baptised by immersion. Then wrap him in chains and 'baptize' him in the center of the lake."

I conclude as the words of the song 'One tin soldier' echo in my ear, "do it in the name of heaven, you can justify it in the end.'

It is tragic to see how some will pretend to be called by god to excert violence just to stay in power. History repeats itself. Very transparent and incredible. All they achieve is to move a large part of the population away from what they want to make them believe. It does not matter how many people they now imprison, beat up, or kill. The damage is done.

I don't know here else to go to vent my frustration, so if this is the wrong place, I apologize. I think the crisis in Iran IS the story we should be talking about, not Michael Jackson. Is there anything you can do? The attention of the world was focused on the plight of the Iranian people until MJ died and now they are a small news caption on every web page. Today, I was watching CNN and they interrupted their 24/7 news coverage of MJ's death, autopsy, child custody, etc. to spend exactly 30 seconds updating the world on Iran. It is SHAMELESS! Let's get back to showing the people of Iran that we support them in their efrorts for democracy and that we are not that easily distracted!
I respect you and hope that you can get the message through that the real news is Iran, N. Korea, nuclear weapons, global warmning, and although it is sad, 3 days of coverage of the death of a pop music star is ridiculous! I am furious!

Islam means Peace not surrender. Surrender means istislam, while Islam is derived from the word Salam. Islam is not based on hatred. There are many verses in the Quran preaching forgiveness and mercy even for enemies. That's what we were taught in school over and over again. I don't know where those haters and carriers of hate messages sprang up from. They are using Islam for their own agenda, but they will not last. I think the will of the Iranian people is stronger than those dictators.

We are watching an age old story play itself out yet again.
the Catholic church did almost the same thing back in the dark ages when it declared the pope to be infallible.
Once the pope is infallible he speaks with God's voice and it bacomes blasphemy to criticize him. How convvenient, and familiar. How can you argue with someone who claims to speak with God's voice I wonder what God thinks about that?
The same brutality was played out then. People were tortured, beheaded, burnt alive, ostensibly in the name of God (He must hate that!) but truly in the name of greed, power and politics.
Women who had once had an active part in the church (there was even a female pope) , all of a sudden became the instrument of Satan. The church taught that women were responsible for original sin.
the Council of Trent declared that women had the mind of beasts and should not be educated. It was illegal to teach women to read.
And of course I don't have to go into the obscenities of the crusades. Is there any more blatant an oxymoron than "Holy War".
I have a vision of Jesus and Mohammad standing shoulder to shoulder in heaven and weeping as they watch what we idiot humans have done with the tremendous gifts they left us.
Why is" Love one another" such a difficult concept. From what I can see religion is an instrument of the Great Deciever. Satan is the Pince of Lies. How delicious it must be to him to see how the Word of God has been turned into Satan's most effective weapon.

The Koran states, and this is what the cleric is basing his words on, :
Koran 5:33 "The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter;"
Since the supreme leader rules through Islamic law, and sharia is the law of the land in Iran, the protestors are "waging war against Allah" and therefore prone to sharia punishment.

Well written...but I fear you are only flashing in the pan. What you said is thougthful and articulate..but with celebrity deaths you'll be pulled away and care little for this topic in a matter of days.

It seems like the definition of modern journalism is to run everywhere to cover everything for a moment and then to flit off to the next new thing while not thinking very much about any of it. There doesn't seem to be any triage of what matters and what doesn't. Hence your producers have chosen to fill your web pages with Michael Jackson today.

I commend the amount of coverage the Iranian election has had this week. The fact that despots rule under a guise of faith that they openly abuse needs to be illuminated. A nation whose leaders have expelled you should be remembered for doing that the next time they say something like "we're only developing nuclear technology for peaceful purposes".

Have a memory...and act upon it Anderson.

Keeping things in context the Koran was written for Muslims and to Muslims so the Mullah calling for the merciless punishment of Iranians can be considered wrong unless these people have forsaken their god.

If they have forsaken their god then they would no longer be considered Muslims but infidels. The Koran calls for the death of the Infidel which includes anyone who is not Muslim. You, me?

So when the Koran speaks of mercy and goodness it is speaking in reference to devout Muslims, not to infidels. Is there mercy for the infidel.

God is God and there is no other.

Who toppled the democratic government of Mossadeg in 1953? Who removed the Shah in 1979? Who motivated Saddam to invade Iran?(the enemy of my enemy is my friend?) Who provided chemical weapons to Saddam to use against Iranian people? Who helped Saddam militarily to kill nearly one million young Iraninans during the imposed 8-year war? Who brought down the Iranian passenger airbus over the Persian Gulf ? Ultimately who is responsible for creation of this brutal non-Islamic regime in Iran today? I was there for two weeks and saw the brutality. Mr Anderson I believe that you know the answer. Please do share it with world. Neda and the rest are the victims of the same "Who".

I agree that this is not the Islam I would hope these people would want to portray. It is absolutely insane to think that the ruling religious leaders are calling out for more violence to force people to comply.

This is what is wrong with Islam. Too many Leaders use it against their own people. Then they act like it is not a violent religion. Religion has a place, but not in government.

This Theocracy is a farce, women have no rights, people are fighting for freedom and peace and they are all shot down in the name of Allah.

One day I hope there is peace in the Middle East but not as long as fanatics are in power. Too bad these people do not have their peoples best interest at heart!

All people want it to live life and have fun and love their families, it doesnt have to be so violent and so full of hate, thats not any way to live.

As you stated, Islam means "surrender" or "submission". This does not give you permission to do what you want. These clerics believe they are ruling by divine right. Therefore, you must submit because they are to direct voice to Allah. The paradox here is that the rulers have seen quite clearly that only through brutality, lies and intimidation can their "divine" rule continue. So, are they truly "divine" rulers from Allah? Is this what he stands for? Quite simply, according to Mohammad, yes. Mohammad was quite brutal to Jewish tribes and others who dared defy him. In the end, Islam was spread by the sword and must be adhered to by it as well.

While I am personally a member of the Unitarian Universalist faith, I have several friends that are of the Muslim faith. This conduct is not even close to what I they have taught me about the Muslim faith. While I do not have the same beliefs of the Muslim faith I do have respect for it. What we are seeing are religious extremists that are grasping at anything to maintain their authority and control. This has little to do with the Muslim faith and much more to do with tyrants who have lost their control and try to use their faith to control their people.

I have read portions of the Koran that justify the brutality of women, that they should be beaten. (I keep my copy in my office and do not have the passages to refer to. Yet, I am sure any one can follow up with the references).

The Koran and the Bible differ in that the manifestation of God in Islam is the Koran, whereas in Christianity, the manifestation of God is Jesus of Nazareth.

Thus, for Christians, the Bible must be interpreted in light of the character and work of Jesus.

There is no interpretive lens through which one reads the Koran. Therefore, violence and the second class nature of women are a glaring part of of the Koran that Muslims must accept.

Therefore, democracy, in which races, religions and genders are equal in society is impossible in an Islamic state that fundamentally accepts the manifestation of God in the Koran.

Though I have respect for all adherants of the Abrahamic religions that practice their religions peacefully, and respect the human rights of others, I don't see how this squares with God's manifestation in the Koran.

Maybe someone can shed light on my predicament?

The hatred spewed from under the umbrella of Islam is NOT Islam. The hatred and cruelty is born from the quest for power. This is certainly not a new phenomenon – Christianity was used in a similar fashion during the Middle Ages Inquisition. Endless rulers used (and still use) the concept of "Divine Right" to justify heinous acts against those they considered their enemies.

Blindly condemning an entire sect for criminal acts of a few merely perpetuates the hatred and distrust. Read the tenets of the Qur'ran and it is very obvious the terrorists, militants, "Speakers of God's Truth" or whatever other label used are NOT true to Islam.

I am a Christian and strongly believe we should treat ALL people as Jesus would treat them, and that certainly would not be with anger and hatred.

This is Islam, precisely as it has been showing itself to everyone outside of Islam for many a year. I would be delighted if more moderate voices might prevail. But the words of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are so similar to the words of so many other voices claiming to speak for Islam, and their words carry to so many followers, that until your voices rise above theirs, then yes. This is Islam. I wish it were not.

It is Islam if Iran wants it to be Islam. They have appeared weak and now will over-compensate with their rhetoric & actions to reel in the country again. Im not sure how the USA can allow this but I also see that if we do much more than we have been, they will use it as a calling card to the Arab countries & sympathizers to galvanize more support. Its a slippery slope indeed!

"This brand of Isalm is Islam."

Sorry John, this is one interpretation, not the ONLY interpretation.

"people that love to die"
wrong there, no one LOVES to die. There are people (probably excluding you and me) who die for their beliefs (and that is a glorious un-cowardly act), but no one truly loves to die. That is a cliche.

Now back to Octavia's article (hmm...): As another person said, written with passion and intelligence. Well done.

As a person who has lived 25 years in iran (up to two years ago),I can tell one thing for sure:
YES,this is Islam when it gets the power.but at the same time this is any ideology who gets the power as we saw quite the same thing happened in china or elsewhere.
I and a large group of young iranians hate Islam (or any other ideology) and those who use it as a justification to repress people.

As Mohammed is the 'ideal man' of Islam, and one who is to be looked upon as its role model, we should not forget that he was a mass murderer, and advocated stoning and the amputation of hands, feet and noses for crimes, the killing of those who refused to convert, and the destruction of the places of worship of non-Muslims . The inhabitants of both Mecca and Medina both felt the wrath of his and his followers swords when they refused to convert, as well as the inhabitants of many countries that Muslims invaded throughout history. This aggressive, murderous, intolerant stance can be seen throughout the history of Islam, the 'religion of peace'. The current social pathologies of fundamentalist and radical Muslims are firmly rooted in this religion's history, beginning with its founder. To say otherwise is politically correct whitewashing and a complete lie.

NO Mr. Anderson. This is not Islam. This is insecurity! @John we don't talk our kids into becoming Suicide bombers. we love our kids as much as anyone else does!!!

John, your poorly written comment betrays your ignorance. Extremism is the problem and any person can take an idea and distort it for good or evil. The unfortunate truth is that over the course of human history, a lot of people have been killed for the honor of a deity, be it in a Crusade or whatever else.

Your generalization of this particular brand of ideology as reflective of an entire religion is no different than painting all "Westerners" as infidels or decadents.

Your assessment of people "who love to die" seems fundamentally flawed. You're dealing with people who may be (or not) inherently bigoted against "the West", but are more likely to be simply under-educated, under-opportuned and/or without a "healthy" family network.

Before you suggest that I sympathize with these extremists, I'd like to state that I don't.

Consider this: If you had nothing, and your life was miserable, you weren't necessarily taught right from wrong and someone said that you could attain a "high-quality" afterlife by doing your god's "work" at the expense of others, would you know to do the right thing?

Unfortunately, it's not a simple equation or instance that leads such people to such an awful decision.

Don't oversimplify and paint every person in a demographic with such a broad brush as it's inappropriate and inaccurate altogether.

Blame Islam. Question Islam. Demonize Islam. Let me ask you this. If a non-muslim does injustice, do you question his religion. When will you guys learn to be professionals and fair when dealing with muslims and their religin? Why are you so intent to blame and question Islam. Study Islam and learn what it is before you question it.

Mohammad

The article has an inaccuracy. There is one chapter in the Quran that does not begin “In the name of God, most merciful, most compassionate.” That is the ninth chapter. It has stern words for "idolators," e.g., verse 5 says "... slay the idolators wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and beseige them, and prepare for them every ambush."

Within the Quran is the doctrine of abrogation, which says that when two passages within the Quran conflict, the one revealed last supercedes the earlier revelation. And since the ninth chapter was one of the last to be revealed by Mohammed, and one of the most stern, people like Osama bin Laden say that it supercedes some of the more peaceful verses, such as "let there be no compulsion in religion." Doctrinal differences like this are source of conflict between the more moderate Muslims and groups like Al Qaeda.

The problem with quoting from the Qur'an in any discussion of Iran or any other topic involving Islam is that the Qur'an is such a vague and ambiguous document which can be interpreted in numerous ways. While one may discover within its pages an Islam that is "compassionate, merciful and tolerant", another may find a manual for using violence as an effective problem-solving tool and guide for when it is acceptable to commit murder. It just depends upon which side of the fence you're sitting. For every cleric who teaches that Islam is about peace and love, there are 100 clerics who use it to nurture hatred for the West. For every mosque that is filled with kind, tolerant Muslims, there are dozens of madrassas that are turning out future suicide bombers. While it may be true that it is unfair to judge a religion by the behavior of its followers, there is no other earthly measuring stick for the qualities of a belief system. Perception is reality.

Yes, This IS islam. In the US we have failed miserably to actually understand the religion and the cultures that it has produced. The Muslim world cannot have it both ways. i.e. divorcing themselves from violence while holding to a book that clearly states to beat women that are not obedient (4:34) and make war with the "infidels" around you (9:121).

While I understand the need to honor a worldwide legend, I believe stories like this one and the moment to moment happenings on the ground in Iran demand our attention. I would hope that CNN, its journalists, and producers could come together to make this story its priority. People are dying in the name of democracy. We have an obligation to watch, even if our president requests we do not interfere.

So, John, do you consider yourself a Christian? If so, do you support the killing (i.e. of abortion doctors) done in the name of God? Do you consider all Christians to be supporters of these extremists? What about the death penalty still practiced in some states in our country – where is the respect for human life in such a practice?

"When The West wakes up and realizes that Islam is a religion built of hatred, death and no repect for human life the better if will be for all."

Well said! That is, if you represent xenophobic, hypocritical, paranoid, angry Christian America.

No, this is not Islam, this is terrorism. I do not know if this site is the right place to write this. My sister just arrived in Germany. Our 17 year old neice was one of the proters that was arrested and taken to Evin. They release her with confession and she was told not to speak to anyone after being released. My sister who lives few homes down the street had to go roof to roof from neighbors houses 2 a.m. to say goodbye to her before leaving Iran to Germany. My sister is only few years older that our niece and very close. She admitted to her that upon arresting her at Evin, they made her eat her own stool and made her say I ate s..t and will not say anything again. She is a very heavy sleeper and could not wake up and urine was thrown at her face in sleep and was not allowed to wash it up until she confesses. They told her if she does not confess, they will shoot her with 10 bullets and charge the family 30,000 dollars for each bullet to return the body. They showed her a chamber and told her that she would be hanged from the ceiling. They also blindfolded her and told her now is the time to execute you. She started to hear the gun shots and was just terrified thinking that they are shooting at her.
I remember few years back in University protest they executer one of our very close frien's son and called the dad to come and visit the son. When he arrived there they asked him to open the trunk of his car and they just throw the bloody body of his son in the car and told him "now go and bury him" if you say one more word, your other son will have the same fate.
This is what these murderes call islam.

Shadi

Unfortunately, you are correct, we are realizing this too late John.

These are Muslims the same way that abortion clinic bombers are Christians.

I mean, I don't recall anyone querying "Is this Christianity?" after Abu Ghraib, or after it was revealed that there were no WMDs or when it was discovered that there was no direct connection between Sadaam and Al Quaeda. No one asked whether something essential to Judaism causes the Israelis to make T-Shirts of pregnant women in crosshairs with captions like "one shot, two kills."

I think AC does awesome work, and being in New Orleans I very much appreciate AC's coverage of our situation here in the wake of the Storm. However, when Muslims complain of anti-Islamic bias in the west, they are referring to articles like this one.

i think this illustrates the destructive force of all organized religions. religion is a personal thing that should be kept out of politics.

There are violent and radical interpreters of Islam in Iran just as there are violent and radical interpreters of Christianity in America. With all due respect to Jackson and Fawcett, I also hope the media will put more focus on these developments in Iran. Let the Iranian theocracy crumble as people stand against it find ways to get the truth out.

I would say this is not representative of any religion accepted by a global community. So rather this is representative of the mis-use or abuse of Islam by a group of power hungry, ruthless dictators that want to impose their view of how this small group of thugs wants things should be. Totalitarian style demons in other words.

And the world sits and watches, spews forward a few condemnations and continues to watch.........who is worse.

I have been to 5 Muslim countries and have had great experiences with them as peace loving people. But, I have to say that I am still undecided on whether Islam and democracy for all can be incorporated into something better than what we see out there.

Seems who ever is in power at the time, always acts like the ruler that was just over thrown.

Aren't these the same actions that sparked the revolution?

Both Islam and Christianity are well intended ideas and beliefs, Unfortunately people use them to practice intolerance, hate, and injustice both social and political. Wise, loving, compassionate people need to take a firm hand in getting their religion back from the belligerent idiots who are running the show. I honor the Iranians willing to risk their lives for their freedom. It is foolish and disrespectful to suggest that the Americans and British fomented or directed their protests. It makes the authorities look childish when they lie so blatantly. We are not fooled.

"Jahad" is one of the most misunderstood words in Islam. Jahad comes from Jahd, which means struggle to achieve something. ...In the course of time jahad lost its more important meaning as internal struggle and was used only to mean the duty of each Moslem to take up a weapon and fight the enemy that had attacked Moslems or to be used to destroy disbelievers.... Many leaders in Islam lost the truth that external struggle is an impossibility without internal struggle. "

excerpted from The Holiest Of The Holies (THOTH), The Last Testament

If a leadership is threatened, controlling, elite, money driven, power driven and isolated, it has lost the internal struggle already and its higher focus. It can no longer claim to be Godly and be good leadership.
How different is the claim of the Iran Supreme Leader to be the spokesperson for God than the claim of the Pope to be the same spokesperson? Each of all the religions are right and wrong at the same time. Each is a part of the Truth but not all of the Truth of God.

"It is not religions that are the source of suffering, but the way they have been interpreted by humanity. " THOTH

There are two sides to Islam. The moderate Muslims choose to "unsee" that other side. This cleric is only articulating that other side, the same side that had Mohammad eliminate his enemies to "save" Islam. It is only because this other side really does exist that Muslims are able to resort to it when they think they need to save Islam.

On the other hand, Christians have no example from Jesus where he resorted to violence to "save" Christianity. If a Christian resorts to violence to achieve their goals, there is no possibility of being able to justify it using the actions of Christ.

Islam is fatally flawed because of its two sides. Moderate Muslims can live in denial all they want but is that any way to live?

Thank you CNN for staying with this story and Octavia, you are right to say, "it will happen behind closed doors". News about Nokia and Siemens helping Iran's build a firewall/censorship monster is spreading. How can companies in the free world have such a apparent disregard for social justice and the struggle happening in Iran for basic human rights?!!!

For Mr. Fullerton, I can also say that the crusador wars, inquisition courts, brutal killing of native indians in Amercas on the hands of spanish catholic Priests, Hitler and 2nd world war killing of more than 40 million lives and the recent american atrocities in Iraq and before in Vietnam and other places, are the true face of CRISTIANITY.

would you like such conclusion which actually turned most of Western nations away from the Church?

No! This is not Islam; at least not the Islam that I know and the Time Prophet within me knows; an Islam with Time Approppriate Laws of Human Rights that would not endanger or infiring upon anyone's right nor would sound arrogant and supperior to othes or be found so distaced from his own children and youth as to not take them serious! Man-made rules & man-made world & man-made god have created themselves a kind of religion that that is only catering to them and especially with this government that only moves for power! In any religion that is valid and substantial power comes form within and not atomic weaponry & freedom must be a dimension of that religion for religion of god must bring freedm for god is freedom and love and we are all born free. That is why I suggest my Universal Laws of Human Rights I wrote in my 9 books in one year in 1994 on a calling as Time Prophet & Spirit Mother to be acceted by the UN & Leadership Excellence for People Power to be enfornced for all countries especially the dictatorships such as Iran.The Iranian Youth are finally getting the message of my new psychology and world order ad new humanity of equality for all and responsible freedom! In all cities there are peaceful demonstrations to Free Iran which means putting an end to censorship in Iran and America and abroad by those who do not know what democracy means and have taken over media here to deny the source and the creator of the true revolution of compassion not the quip that was before!I rose to free the young from bondage!

I agree with Joh Fullerton. I experienced living under secular Shah regim and also mullahs Islamic dictatorship. Islam is this. What you see in Iran and other Islamic countries.Arabs attacked persia and killed the people and scientists and forced the other people to convert to Islam. Why there is a law in Islam that you can't convert to other religions otherwise you will be punished. For me it is clear today. I am sure that Iranians will get rid of this regime and I am sure the next government will separate the religion and government. And I am also sure that most of Iranians will even go furthure and separate their lives from Islam. I hope the Europeans and U.S. will have some programs to educate the muslims (and probably the followers of some other religions) in these countries to learn about christianity. This is another way of fighting with the influence of these religions. My family converted to christianity and I think this is the best way to fight the Islamic fundamentalism.

Absurd. To bristle at one while apologizing for the brutality of the other is to ignore the lessons of history such that they will be repeated to the same devastating end. The central tenets of Islam and Christianity are interchangeable, and to focus on their prophets and ignore that both religions worship the same God just demonstrates the bias that becomes even more apparent when reading any other entry on this blog. In Christian scriptures God himself murders millions upon millions, including women and children by the scores. The brutality of Christian regimes throughout history have been equaled only by the brutality of other fundamental regimes. The renaissance was in no small part inspired by the libraries maintained and scientific advancements made during the Golden Age of Islam.

John Fullerton,

You may want to open up a book about the history of Christianity before you judge other people's religions on the actions of a few.

Kings in Europe claimed their right to rule was divine and used it to suppress their subjects, they launched a holy war against Muslims in the middle east, and more recent hate groups, such as the KKK, have use the Bible to justify their actions.

I am an Iranian, and I believe Islam has damaged Iran so much. I support free Iran without Islam. I was taught to be a Muslim, so I am not an outsider. My belief is that Islam comes with violence and terror. I have read the entire quran with the Farsi translation multiple times. I was taught Islam and quran when I was at school in Iran. My understanding is that Islam should only be inside mosques but not in politics or any other places. My entire life has been destroyed by Islam. I don't want Islam anymore. I want to be free and live with dignity. I want my fundamental basic human rights which Islam took from me. I hate religions of all sorts. Long live IRAN, may some day we clean my beloved land from Islam. Peace.

As a Muslim and as a victim of extremism I am outraged by the audacious Iranian government for claiming to act on behalf of the religion. I am equally outraged by those who say "THIS is Islam"!

I am a Muslim woman whose father was killed by Islamic terrorists 38 years ago in Bangladesh. I blame the perpetrators and seek justice as they were never brought to justice! I DO NOT blame Islam, never did, never will and I know Allah, the most merciful and just, will punish them!

For centuries people killed and were killed in the name of religion… for land, for political gain, for ethnic cleansing…jihad, crusade…whatever the name is! Even supposedly the most tolerant religious groups of Buddhists and Hindus have each others’ blood in their hands in Sri Lanka.

Bloodshed is not a monopoly of Muslims. People of every religion have blood in their hands...that does not mean the religion is tainted! The sad fact is that the philosophical infancy among Muslims is lasting very very long and painfully so!

Thank you for not completely forgetting about Iran in the face of Michael Jackson's death. It sickens me that a pop star could ever be more important than a whole people's life and death struggle for freedom and liberty.

MJ was talented and had a significant influence on music, but the future of the nation of Iran as it it is being decided now will affect the WHOLE WORLD FOREVER!

Please, please, please don't let an unfortunate (but essentially insignificant) event undermine the sacrifice and progress we've seen thus far in Iran! The Iranian people need the US and the West to keep paying attention to have any chance of succeeding in their struggle for self-determination.

AC, Please help prove that we are not a nation of shallow, ADD-afflicted imbeciles who cannot maintain focus for longer than a 24-hour news cycle. Please go back to covering the truly important Iranian struggle, and let this unfortunate man (MJ) and his family have some peace.

Every religion is shaped by its followers. One could act with mercy and compassion or one could beat people to submission.

The problem with Iran or any other Muslim country is that they take political lessons from religion. To make it worse, they follow their Islamic interretation in its purest form setting aside rationality.So its probably gonna take a few more decades for the clerics to lose their military might to the protestors and hopefully the next generation does not refer religious texts for governance

One thing the Prophet tried to do was get rid of the tribalism that fragments the people of the Middle East, especially the Arabs. He failed, and the result is that the medieval tribalism has cloaked itself in Islam.

Bravo, well said. This sort of statement by the cleric during the Friday Prayer is a clear indication that what they are doing is not only un-Islamic but it is anti human. We all have a responsibility to uphold the rights of humans, there is no mercy, rahma, in their actions and words. Shame!

Excellent post, John, thank you.

Who are we to argue on interpretation of Islam with numerous experienced and revered Islamic clerics who instigate violence against innocent people of all religions but especially "infidels"? Any religion is defined by the people who practice it. Modern Islam is defined by a large part by terror against innocent civilians and oppression of human rights. Polls repeatedly show that there is a significant popular support for acts of terror by the general population in Muslim countries, and terror organizations such as Hezbollah, Hamas, Taliban and their leaders are highly popular.

As was said many times, not all Muslims are terrorists but all modern terrorists are Muslims, so there is definitely something peculiar about the religion or its widely held interpretations.

What can be done?

We should support modern Muslims and especially secular people in Muslim countries, decrease our dependence on middle eastern oil and wholehartedly support Israel as the major barrier between the civilized world and fundamental Islam.

The mullahs talk tough like this because they control the guns and the amunition; that's all. It's got nothing to do with islam.

@John Fullerton

I think it is better that you leave talking about what Islam stands for to the majority of Muslims. More than a billion Muslims around the world if they all send their kids to be suicide bombers the world would have been blasted out years ago. The blind hatred exemplified in your comment draws an anti-west reaction amongst ordinary Muslims who are mainly moderate and anti-violence people.

I'm sure most Muslims are good people but I can't understand why some are believing KILLING

Please someone at CNN tell me how the situation in Iran is less important than Rev. Jesse Jackson and Joe Jackson, Michael's father, talking about not having all the answers to his death. Come on CNN, get back to reporting news and let the tabloids and magazines like People and US worry about more coverage on Michael Jackson's death.

You may have already surpassed the amount of coverage you gave to the passing of Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa or President Ronald Reagan, not to mention several other prominent persons who have passed away within the last decade..

We are all sorry for the Jackson family's loss, but there are much more pressing issues at hand in the world. Stop going for sensational stories and put the important issues in the forefront on your web service and media broadcasts. At least have the conscience to give them equal bill.

History teaches us this is no different than the history of any religion. When the Puritans settled America, they tortured and killed, as they did in Europe, for such heinous crimes as saying the Earth orbits the Sun. Historically speaking, religion has always been about lies, torture and murder, yet they claim to be about love. The truth is it's all about seeking absolute power, and we all know that the quest for absolute power always corrupts absolutely.

ObviouslyJohn Fullerton knows nothing about the Islamic religion or talked to any Muslims. Their religion is not based on hatred and killing any more than the Christian bible is. There are Christians killing others every day in the name of God – think the Skinheads and Neo-Nazis. Should we condemn the whole Christian religion because of a few nutcases? I think not. Islam is just the same – there are some nutcases out there killing not only Christians but their own Islamic brothers and sisters in the name of Allah. I am a Christian, but I have utmost respect for Islam. How many Christians would fast for a month for their religion as Islamics do? Not many. I know many Muslims, and they are all more committed to their religion than most Christians I know. Let's practice tolerence and respect to one another. Condemn the actions, not the religion.

Islam is a religion of peace, as a religion that teaches every aspect of human life it depends on what side you understood it or wanted it to be.

Funny that a Cleric urges no mercy. Wow he is really some man of God!

@ John Fullerton..... Dont generalize am pretty sure not all muslims suscribe to that interpretation of the koran or their religion...!

Answer to John Fullerton

I am pretty much sure you are the kind of people who can`t see further than there noze & never tries to fact findings. with your ignoring comment you should keep it to yourself. When making comments in public forum , please in the futur measure your words wisely, in the futur for your vocabulary , allow me to let you know that Muslim & Islam are two differrent words.see the difference and meaning in the dictionnary.

There will never be peace in this world as long as religious extremists rule the lives of people who just want to be free from the bondage of religion itself.

Best regards to all Iranians, beautiful people, gorgeous country!

Oh and by the way >Welcome back Michel Ware<

Adela Palenzuela
Miami Fl

Fanatics of all culures and religions cause misconceptions in others through these types of excesses in speech and action. Many people will see these words and judge whole groups of people based on them, and this is fundamentally more dangerous than anything else as it perpetuates the divisions between us all.
Religions should be a unifying force, rather than a destructive one.
Thanks for the Blog- it speaks of the situation well.

please dont let tragic death of our dear michael jackson keep you so busy to stop covering the tragic killing of iranian people inside iran.
im so sure even michael soul is so sad for them. he was kind and nice and even people in iran loved him so much. i know that for sure i was living in iran during 80 and 90.
but please please dont forget about iranian and there fight with the evil islamic republic.
CNN is there only hope. please dont let us down. i bage you guys.

Article 27 [Freedom of Assembly]
"Public gatherings and marches may be freely held, provided arms are not carried and that they are not detrimental to the fundamental principles of Islam." Directly from the Iranian constitution. There are many other contradictions in their "constitution" but this one seems to be the most glaring. I cannot for the life of me understand how holding onto the power to govern is more important thatn the lives of those one governs. Beating, shooting and killing innocent protesters is going to be the legacy of this Iranian regime. It is obscene and despicable that a government can actually get away with this behavior. The helpless feeling is overwhelming.

Hmmmm...sounds like another fanatic masking his shortcomings under the veil of religion.

This is what you get when mixing religion with state.
the so called leader things he is the law and above the law because
he is dictating gods law!

The answer is unfortunately yes, this is Islam in 2009. Defenders will claim that the vast majority of Muslims are moderate peace-loving people. Yet time and again we see that this so called moderate majority is a silent majority. They either approve or don't care what the radicals do. Iran is just another example. Where is the outrage among moderate Muslims at the abuse of human rights by the Iranian regime? Answer: no where to be found. If Islam is a religion of peace, it's time for the world's 1 billion Muslims to walk the walk.

Mr. Fullerton, there are radicals in every religion. Remember David Koresh? Jim Jones? Is Christianity to be judged by their actions? Islam is a religion of peace and acceptance. The current political and religious leaders in Iran are the exceptions. Thankfully, people who feel about Muslims the way you do are also the exceptions.

Keep speaking truth to power. The mullahs best be careful. One day someone will be shouting for their blood. Iranians have long memories. I thing Muslims and Christians alike believe God is a loving God. We are all his messengers not just some who have designated themselves so.

"This is not Islam at all. "

Of course it is – actions speak louder than words.

No prominent or serious historian would say that the the Crusades or the Inquisition were not carried out by Christians, or that the Catholic Church is not a Christian denomination. No historian would say that the conservative protestant denominations supporting slavery or Jim Crow in the American South were not part of the Christian religion.

Both Islam and Christianity are open to a multitude of interpretations so just because you disagree, theologically, with one of them doesn't mean they are not a member of that religion. Both religions have a very long history of bloody violence supported and advocated by serious religious scholars of theirs at the time. Let's not be naive.

This Supreme Fuehrer of Iran would not be the first dictator in history who confused himself with God, and the voices in his head with divine instructions. He won't be the last, but sooner or later all of them end up in the same place. Let's hope it's sooner in this case, for the sake of the Iranian people.

It is so sad that a courageous group of people must suffer for their passion and their belief.. That the government in Iran blames them for their faliure to govern their own country fairly and blame the United States.. for caring about human rights and human life and the respect of the dignity of all peoples.. I liistened to the beautiful video of Joan Baez, "We Shall Overcome " in farci.. so moving in the 60's and so very moving and approriate now for the hope of Iran

John, Thank you for your candor, while you are at it can you also reflect on the your religion's and the atrocitiees it's followers have committed and continue.
My response by no means defends narrow minded self serving actions of Iranian regime.

Thank you

sense the beginning ... when a group of people in the next town over refused to accept Islam ... Mohammad conquered mercilessly by the sword. Just look back to the beginnings in Mecca and Medina. Islam is a religion based on serving the strong, earning paradise through working in this life and conquering through the sword. Have any of the world's Islamic leaders condemned the tactics of the basij, the iranian police ....?

To be honest I don't know who's side to take. I feel everysince I myself converted to Islam I've met some very kind hearted muslims. I learned how to give Allah (God) my undivided attention. But when I see so much war going on and Islam being on the other end of it, how can I say that I am a muslim with pride. I just want peace.

Frankly, I consider it utterly shameful that most of the coverage for the last three days has been about Michael Jackson instead of Iran's elections. I subscribe to CNN email updates. I've gotten over 10 about Michael Jackson, and two about Iran. What the heck? A second rate singer and accused child molester dying is more important than the suppression of civil rights in a totalitarian country? What's wrong with us? Let's get our priorities in order here, CNN. It's not about ratings, it's about news. Jackson should be page 2 at best, well behind real news.

Is there any difference between this Iranian fundamentalist cleric demanding “Annihilate the rioters,” and Hannity bellowing and shrieking some time back, post-9/11, that we wanted to bloody them, kill them, and wanted retribution? I kid you not, he sounded as looney as Hitler, the only difference being he was speaking English, and I didn't have to rely on a translator!

We seem to forget European history and all the business of witch hunt and torture. That was not christian . It was power abuse. No religion preaches such things. It is easy to hold islam barbaric. Social evolutions are not programable or predictabel; moreover, they cannot be configured a priori.

With the Internet the Iranian people understand they cannot take direction from 2 outdated sources any more – clerics and dictators. That's what this is all about. The old system doesn't work anymore. These words are true to today as they were 40+ years ago:

There'll be shoutin' from the mountains on out to sea
No two ways about it, people have to be free
Ask me my opinion, my opinion will be
It's a natural situation for a man to be free

Young Rascals

This "punishment for protesters" is NOT Islam.
It is against Islam, and is simply one more reason why religions of the world MUST be replaced with proper education.
The world can be much smarter.

Look, these mullahs are the equivalent of the Pope for Islam. Thus, whatever they say is what the religion says. Period. They are the highest authority in this faith, the scholars that know the foundations of the faith and interpret its teachings. If they say that they will punish their own followers for asking for an unbiased recount, then this is what Islam says. Period. It is like the Pope saying that he is against birth control, then the Catholic Church is against birth control. Period. You cannot have different leaders of a faith saying different things or interpreting the teachings differently. Thus, Islam is saying:"Punish – kill, beat up, torture, etc. – the believers for asking for an unbiased count of the votes". This is the way of Islam. I am so sorry for its followers. I am truly sorry for them. This is not how Christians do things.

This always happens when religion mixes with politics, very bad mix.
For as long as I remember, religion (in any kind or form) has been based on beliefe and faith. You are expected to believe without proof, which requires not thinking or challenging the idea, now imagin mixing that with politics, brutal combination, specailly Islam that has a long history of force.

I don't think it is fair to characterize Islam as the only violent religion. Islam is just the most recent religion to use violence as a means to an end. Although I am not a Muslim and don't particularly care for the religion based on what I know about it, let's not forget about the current Israeli-Palestinian fight, the not-too-long ago Irish Protestant-Catholic fighting, the Crusades and the Inquisition under the Catholics. This is what happens when humans decide to invoke the will of God in justifying their actions and convince others that their end will be eternal damnation if they do not follow. When will the world accept that no one speaks for God?

In the words of Florence Shinn who wrote in the early 1900's: "Only divine ideas endure. Evil destroys itself, for it is a crosscurrent against universal order." Time has proven her words to be correct repeatedly since she delivered them, and it shall prove her correct once more when the Iranians one day reclaim their inalienable rights as human beings.

Todd A. Ludwig,

Beautiful comment.

There is no doubt that Micheal Jackson was a talented guy but to occupy the whole news on his death, that is pathetic. Not because that I am an Iranian but what I mean is that we should concentrate on what is happening around the world more than entertainment. And media can play an important role here.

I know that it is hardy going to be another Micheal Jackson, but poor guy is been dead for many years.

Iran is just another Iraq. Who will rescue the innocent ? I admire Obama's restraint in view of the US' involvement in Iraq-we all want to see justice but we cant keep walking into other people's countries and making them change. Cultural evolution can be violent, and although no ordinary person wants this, many will have their eyes opened by what is currently happening. Some of the violence is no doubt due to Al Quaida/the Taliban taking advantage of a chaotic situation- of course they want western civilization to look bad.

History shows that change will come anyways. Let us offer support in any way we can but mind our own fences. Iran could be the nuclear trigger that none of us want to see.

There are many other areas of the world being neglected right now because they are 'old' news but people-women, kids, elderly-the innocent- are suffering there too (ie Darfur). Let the powerful focus on helping where they CAN. The momentum in Iran will either increase or be quashed-either way many will learn from it, and the evolution of Islam as a culture and a religion will continue. You can lead a horse to water...

Do you remember South Africa at the time of apartheid?
The people in power at that time, by killing people they thought their struggle will die with them. How wrong, how wrong they were!!
The spirit of people in their struggle for what they consider their right will never died.
We people make mistake, some times we supports those that hurts us also.

The Iranian people perhaps made a mistake, but at the same time their struggle to liberate themselves from their present system will continues.
Muslim in its totality can not be pointed as the cause of these sad events in Iran.
Iran last century was a model for many. We witness how an entire system was change in 24 hours. Was not spontaneous, was calculated and the clergy prepared themselves for years to the right moment. They did it, and when they did it, went backward also taking a twisted path. For many people was a sad moment, because the bird shows its feeders right away, all of us knows about the events took place after their revolution.
Right now there are not possibility of any change in Iran, the proposal to change has to be very profound and also must be capable to reach the common people.
The possibility of some change and not to soon, is within their clergy structures.
Is possibly that within their structure some of this religious people can see the world as?
not their enemy, differently, more connected to the world that is changing rapidly.
Our message must not be belligerent, we what to talk to those hears in power and the common people of Iran.

Sir,

Thank you for a well written article.

Fundamentally, this is an issue of politicians using religion to rule with an iron fist, while twisting all the elements of their faith to deceive people.

Many evil regimes use these strategies.

But Islam the religion is not as such. No religions as as such.

I read a book by the late Rich DeVos the Amway founder many years ago, titled: 'Compassionate Capitalism' and from the teachings and feelings in the book, Rich DeVos was a true muslim, if there ever was one in modern times.

Ditto with our late Michael Jackson, if there was ever another model muslim who first and foremost, believed and acted in humanity, then he was a muslim, christian, hindu, buddhist, etc.

Religion is a state of mind and heart.

Religion used for political gains is not religion in its true sense.

Let's get clearer on this. The muslim clerics referred to in this article, are the ones who cling on to power using religion.

Thank you, AC, really admire your work.

Yes, a person as sincere as you to bring the truth to the surface, is also a true muslim or christian, or any religions, organized or self-developed for that matter, by the definition that religion is a state of mind and heart.

Islam is not just a religion its a way of life. It has rules for the way you talk, eat, work, sleep marry, procreate,, fight, argue, etc. There are very strict rules pertaining to war -including no weapons of mass destruction, no suicide bombing, no killing of innocent women or children or even people not fighting you. If you read about Salahuddin and the Crusades ~ that is closer to the way Muslims are supposed to fight. Many people today take only parts of Islam that are convenient to their agenda and not the whole package.

The problem in the Islamic world is the collapse of the Caliphate which was how Muslims ruled at the time of the Prophet and his companions. We have all these fake national boundaries made by britian and rich families-saudis. Much of the problems in the middle east would not exist if the Ottoman empire still existed today. Yes it wasn't perfect but it worked. So now there is a power vacuum and goverments and people experimenting.

Ironically Iran is not very differnt from Israel. Both are theocracies with democratic parts. Muslims have to remember there are no priests or popes in Islam we are all human. But also we have to remember that in being Muslims we accept all of Islam and the Shariah- not just whats convenient.

Prophet Muhammed peace be upon him warned us of these times. Always reminded Muslims to be on the straight path and never too extreme. Islam is made to be easy and implemented with wisdom always on the side of truth and against oppression.

i don't think that the koran say kill your own! for been against the belief of one person or a "god"! we are born to make our own decisions and to die for does beliefs! we bleed the color of freedom to die without a "great one" telling us what we should believe in or when we should submit! "we are humans" "we are the people" we have the power to die for our cause...freedom for all!

This could not have been explained better. Excellent!
“In the name of God, most merciful, most compassionate.” That is what we were taught about Islam in our religious studies in elementary school until these Mullahs took over the country and showed the world how vague Quran (and maye all other holly books) are written and it all depends on who's reading.

I have come to understand through conversations with Muslims that Islam is SUPPOSED TO BE a religion of peace, with jihad being an internal struggle within each believer. That absolutely does not jibe with what this 'cleric' is spewing. What the coverage of the late Michael Jackson has done is obscured that today WE SHOULD ALL BE NEDA. Only in this way will the sacrifices made by the protesters will not be in vain.

Please stop spending so much time on Michael Jackson. I'd like more information on what's going on in the world.

CNN,

Please get a grip and ease up on the MJ coverage! Not only is this more worthy of the E! network, but there are millions of Iranians who are fighting to keep a movement alive, and CNN plus BBC have played a critical role! Please report the REAL news, freedom depends upon it at this moment.

jim in PHX

No one in power in Iran is representing anything except money; there is a battle between the two higher Ayatollahs over control of the government therefore the money. Let’s not kid each other this is not about Islam, Judaism, Christianity or any race or group it is all about money. Which if I am not mistaking was behind of our latest embarrassment in Iraq?

Of course this is Islam! This is Islam at its best.
To say this is not the real Islam is like the people who heard about the Gulags, Mass Starvation and other atrocities of the communist regimes and said "Ah, but this is only 'real socialism', a degenerate form of socialism. Ideal socialism is about justice and compassion..." Turns out that oppression was all that socialism had to offer. Everywhere socialism has been implemented it has led to brutality, violence, vilification.
The same now about Islam. I don't think even the "ideal" or "pure" Islam is about compassion and forgiveness, but never mind. In practice, Islam, "real Islam" wherever it is implemented, is about oppression, brutality and vilification of the human being.

John' s words are, unfortunately, believed far too often. But the young people of Iran are heroes who have proven that there is another kind of Islam, the sort that allows its practicioners to coexist with other religions and live a modern lifestyle. What is sad is that the most incisive reporting on this came from Jason Jones of The Daily Show, and sadder yet, that a dead pop star (and yes, I am a fan) trumps a revolution ... that is vacuousness of the American public.
I cannot help but think that their supreme leader is not all that different from Pope Benedict. He lives in a vacuum with no idea of what goes on in the world, and once he makes a pronouncement, he will not back down no matter what the consequences for his country.
But I do wonder, what does the Koran say about holy men who lie?
If anyone from Iran is reading this, we are with you. God is great.

I interact with many muslims on a daily basis and I have never been exposed to this attitude. I don't think the issue at hand is really Islam but rather control. In my counry we'd term it as 'suffering from a dose of inchargeness'. To think that any human being can even think of using the word "Anninilate". What .....people!!!!!! Other human beings? This is overwhelming and surreal. I am sorry, that's not a man, that's a COWARD.

I agree with John Fullerton basically because i have heard so many interpretations of what true Islam is that I personally doubt anyone really knows. If a cleric can interpret it one way with quotes and the peaceful Islamics quote it in other terms then I can only ask, "who really knows?" I do seem to sense now that the "Purge" is coming .. the Purge of the opposition that is .. hmmm .. starts to sound to me like the ruling party in Iran are possibly going to try to mimic Sadam? That will be their downfall .. of course. Am I possibly right? I don't really know and I doubt anyone really does who is not privy to the Inner Workings of these things ... just some random thoughts of mine.

Hi Anderson,

Today was a global day for protest and to support for the people of Iran who have been protesting the election results.

I live in Vancouver, Canada. On my way home from a Vancouver Pride celebration I saw one of Vancouver's major streets (called West Georgia) lined with hundreds of Vancouver's Persian population on each side of the street for more than 5 city blocks. They are showing their support for their families & the people who voted for change back home (In Iran). They are against the violence and against their people's rights being stripped away from them.

All of West Georgia had the people driving by in their cars honking their horns in support. People like myself joined in their chain of solidarity to show that freedom and elections belong to the people and not the regime.

I hope the voices from around the world are heard.

Regards,

Tara

(I have photos on my cell that I am hoping do down load with in the next 24 hours.)

I absolutely agree with the author when he said, "When moderate Muslims hear what this Mullah has called for, they wonder which brand of Islam he is advocating." I know a bit about this religion, there are tons of good muslims but at the same time lots bad ones. They are twisted in their minds. God is saving a spot for them in hell no doubt about it. John, I dont think this brand of Islam is Islam. Because that is not the message that you will find in the large number of muslims. You can not compare apple to oranges. In Islam there are divides and some prototyping the entire religion would be a grave mistake. You are right there are people who loves to die but there are also people who hate that kind of acts, who wants to live and prosper. Innocent kids are being sent to death, but there are good muslims who hates and denounces that kind of acts.

This act by Iranian supreme leader totally against the teaching and morals of Islam.

Putting the question of whether this is or isn't 'Islam' to one side, this does clearly show the wisdom of separating the church from the state. Hopefully the fundamentalist christians in the U.S. will take a lesson from this.

let us not blame the religion
rather it is those in full control
in power over the population....
look back at other History leaders
under Hitler, Stalin, ED Amin
it takes many generations
for a reform
So why did the Iranians fought for
their so called freedom from their
pro western Shah the 1979 revolution?
figure that out

What an elegantly written argument.
Islam is poorly understood in this country. Too many share Mr. Fullerton's hatefull view, which is surely evidence of his ignorance. He has obviously lived in isolation from muslim people to be so fearful. Understand, Mr. Fullerton, that the protestors–who courageously pursue, in defiance of this brutal regime, the most basic freedoms that we take for granted–are muslims also.
What troubles me most at present is that the obsessive 24 hr coverage of Micheal Jackson's life and death has given cover to the Iranian regime. I shudder to think what will become of the detained protestors and those whose homes are raided nightly by basij while Iran thinks that no one is watching. Enough about the Pop star already. Both sides of the Iranian conflict must know that the world is watching.

Lets pray for them. So that they are blessed with courage, faith and hope.

May God protect them.

Sadly, Mr. Cooper, this really seems to be Islam. A doctrine based on extremism, fundamentalism, violence, hatred and intolerance which they call "religion". How on earth can a cleric/priest/whatever – who's supposed to be closer to God thatn anybody in this world and to spread His word, so to speak – demand to harm the integrity of fellow human beings only because they share different views on the president of their country?
The theocracy in the Islamic world is sickening and everybody but them already realized that it's what is sending those countries centuries backwards.
So how can Mr. Obama say: "we should learn from the Islamic world"? What exactly would we learn from them as a civilized and democratic society is beyond me.
The day they learn to use the word "concede" more often would be a good beginning.

Cheers from Peru.

I know Michael is already introducing the "Moonwalk" to the Angels in heaven. May I also use this opportunity to beg those who bought tickets to his upcoming concerts to keep their tickets as final tribute to Michael and for the promoters to live to their end of the contract and pay Michael's debts and leave some money for his kids. Rest in Perfect Peace, Michael.

Why does ignorant man refer to himself as the Supreme leader? God is the only Supreme leader.

John,

Did you read: 'When moderate Muslims hear what this Mullah has called for, they wonder which brand of Islam he is advocating.'

There is a 'real' Islam of love and compassion. The one you describe is as foreing to real Islam as your own hate is foreing to the teachings of Jesus.

Extreme Islam; extreme Christianity, extreme Judiasm; Catholics figthing Protostents; it is all the same fear and hate. Non of that is religeon.

The moderate/ real Christians and Jews and Hindus and islamist are the ones that preach love and compassion. All the rest of the haters, no matter what religeon they hide behind, they are all lier fighting for power.

Fight for power, any of you, if that is what you wish. But do it with out stealing the noble religeons of the world.

With reference to “Punished Mercilessly- is this Islam?” I found the read very interesting and insightful, yet, even though I disagree with what is going on in Iran, the response is understandable. This form of devotion, for the religion of Islam as quoted, lies on the fact of blind devotion and trust to the messenger of god. And for people who have spend there lifetimes believing this, the fact that Islam can morph into something that is compromising is completely disregarded. The western quest of freedom and self-development has become an innate part of the world we live in today.
No, Islam does not incite violence, the people who do believe in violence are very much like the radical groups that you find within the U.S. of in that case, the Crusaders who fought the holy war and the way they interpreted Christianity. What the leaders of Iran fail to see is the future of their country, which is more compromising, more acceptable and more freedom willing. In Iran, the situation today, is a reflection of the power of an individual on his quest to freedom and liberty, and I dread the consequence for the people who have been bold enough to raise their voice in faith of what they believe.

If there is a God , There is only one..All Religions claim their God is the real one. If there's a hell , Then its right here on earth. What God would allow such behavior from man.

Being very well versed in Islam, I have to add that NONE of this is Islam, and this includes the protesters actions. The vote was won properly despite some alleged irregularities which would in no way change the landslide vote that Ahmadinijad achieved. The protesters are causing trouble and bloodshed for absolutely no reason what so ever and to be honest, they are enjoying the the coverage the international media is giving them. If the International media really stopped its coverage the protesters would stop instantly. Now THAT is not Islamic either. You need to look at both sides, otherwise you too would be hijacking Islam and using it as a tool for your interests.

Dear moderator. Sending again after spell check. and a few refinements.

answer to John F,

Did you not read: ‘When moderate Muslims hear what this Mullah has called for, they wonder which brand of Islam he is advocating.’

There is a ‘real’ Islam of love and compassion. The one you describe is as foreign to real Islam as your own hate is foreign to the teachings of Jesus.

Extreme Islam; extreme Christianity, extreme Judaism; Catholics fighting Protestants; it is all the same fear and hate. Non of that is religion.

The moderate/ real Christians and Jews and Hindus and Islamism are the ones that preach love and compassion. All the rest of the haters, no matter what religion they hide behind, they are all liars fighting for power.

Fight for power, any of you, if that is what you wish. But do it with out stealing the noble religions of the world.

PS. We need more writers like Octavia Nasr

Honestly as i stumbled upon the heading of the article , i just had to see what more can journalists do when it comes to defaming islam. to my pleasant surprise , you did quite a good job in making sure people dont get the wrong idea that anyone that speaks on behalf of islam ..is actually defining islam when they do so..

which unfortunatly most people simply accept without giving themselves a chance to check it out for themselves.

a prime example of this is our dear mr.John Fullerton.
wake up , and know that no one will be at your side when you are resurrected mr john , not your family , wealth , people you are standing for , except what you intend when you do your deeds

if you are so concerned with what islam is and what it isnt , then do your research properly instead of absorbing what you REALLY want to hear instead of learning the facts , the problem with this my friend is that your state of mind reflects what you hear , see , intellectually absorb etc.. ,and the media isnt helping either , so try to brush all that aside for a moment and look at things as they are without letting how you "feel" or who you grew up with from gettting in the way , for your sake.

know that anything that stands for good will be bound to have enemies that wish to silence it , this isnt only something that is special to religion.

back to the topic at hand : Iran , screaming for some form of freedom and the god-given right of choice , are getting silenced because what the people want isnt according to what the elites of iran have cooking under all this , i guess they cant make it happen without being in control.

I think your blog was excellent. You nail it with this blog. Ahmad Khatami is disgrace to all Iranians and Islam religion. He doesn't represent true Islam. Islam is peacefully religion. Its never about hurting your enemies or even killing them. Its say in Quran never get mad at your enemies but loved them. Ahmad extremely radical and a true evil person.

This group of protesters can only fool the west. From a aisan point of view we saw differently.

1) If a presidential election is that important.. large crowd at rallies does not necessary mean you are a winner. No oposition protests during balloting? No oposition protests during vote counting? Are you sure you know the meaning of electionsor the democratic process?
Just cry foul whenever you cannot win. The Jews will say 6 million. The demonstrators will say few millions protesting at Teharan.If that was the case, you would hv over run down Iran Government hands behind yr back
2) From the media we saw well educated english speaking (american slang) in jeans and women dressed in no way muslim... yet screaming Alah Alah from roof-tops..I am rather confused by such action... You have to decide. A muslim as in conservative Iran or be a westerner .. Please bear in mind that either way you choose, you choose, you cannot be accepted in the west .

3) In Pakistan ,India,, etc.. you will see that same act.. A small group of english educated political families creaming the country for personal gains.. nothing about democracy .

I forgot to mention a really important point to mr.john , deeds are useless unless you believe in God , his prophets , angles , heaven , hell , the books He sent , the day of resurrection and divine preordainment.

and by prophets i mean , from Adam to Muhammed (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all ) this includes Abraham , moses , jesus & Muhammed.

so do your research , before it is too late.

What will western countries will do they will face such type of Protests..It is the consipracy to be defamed the Iranian elections..Why the cnn so cocern abou IRAN..why u are posting what US are doing with innocent Iraqis & Afghanis..IRAN IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS..

The answer to the question: THAT IS NOT ISLAM.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the ULTIMATE coward and hypocrite, and he has hijacked Islam. The same applies to those who call for the annihilation of the rioters.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rule and will continue to rule under his own designs, NOT God's.

What is happening now in Iran has nothing to do with Islam. It is a struggle of an ignorant, old man to stay in power and have control of a nation.

I am so tired of hearing that this is not the real Islam! Your seeing it righh now! We either live with it or destroy it!

I don't understand why libs tend to think of this as not Islam. It is Islam the west is asleep. Wake up visit any Islamic country. Actually take the time to read the Quran. Learn what it says. And learn about abrogation. Learn how they use verses that are not in effect to trick nonmuslims. They know when they are quoting the nicer parts of the Quran that they are only in the Quran to mislead. And that the verses that came later are the ones in effect . The problem when one studies Islam you find out that the verses are not even in chronological order. If one knows the true history of the verses one can clearly see why that fundamentalist cleric during friday prayer called for the deaths. It is main stream Islamic to the core. To say otherwise means you have never enjoyed the public amputation of so called criminals that woman and children love to watch in Islamic countries, Sorry not all cutures equal some are stuck in the past.

I just wanted to say that I give the entire Jackson family my sympathy. I also feel it's ironic how all of the sudden a Cardiologist is hired right before this tour of his, and then MJ dies a cardiac death....I just think there is something that is being hidden.

I don't usually reply to blogs, but I would like to do so for two reasons. First, I really enjoyed reading this blog which somehow presented the difference between religion and culture or practice. We shouldn’t judge people based on the majority. Each person is unique and so are their thoughts, beliefs and actions. Second, I’m sorry that John thinks Islam is a religion based on “hatred, death and no respect for human life”. Islam teaches us to be compassionate, understanding and tolerant of those around us. If there are few who think otherwise, this doesn’t mean that this is what Islam is based on. Islam teaches us that we shouldn’t harm any child, woman, even a tree, so if students, women were kicked and beaten in the streets; they were shot at, detained and even killed, this doesn’t mean that this is what Islam is about. Those who committed these crimes and actions should be punished for their inhumane behavior, regardless what religion they are from. Islam doesn’t contradict moral and social ethics; on the contrary, it celebrates them. I truly hope people will become more tolerant of each other and learn to search for answers before resorting to generalizations. Thank you and God Bless

Of course this is Islam. We see it each and every day everywhere in the world. Islam according to the Quran resonates in an all pervasive unified tone "Death to the Infidels" – Islam is the only true religion, and Mohammed the only genuine messenger of God. If you are not a follower of Islam, there can be no quarter afforded you. If you try to convert to another religion, you will be executed. When will the west wake up and realize that Islam is the real danger to civilization ? Religious fanatics have and do carry out atrocities daily in the name of Islam. There is no freedom in Islamic fundamentalist countries, no free speech or press, no rights for women except to be covered up slaves to their male society.
If Armageddon ever occurs, it will be at the hands of Islam and in the service of Allah !!! Listen to John Fullerton's blog above, and don't be surprised by anything that occurs in the name of Islam.

Is this islam?

Yes.

From Morocco to Malaysia, and the Sudan to Pakistan, this is islam when confronted by change or difference. The brutal suppression of the Coptic Christians in Egypt, the obliteration of the Assyrian culture, the destruction of Hindus in Pakistan, the hatred of and attacks on non-Muslims in Europe and the United States. This is islam in politics, in demography, in supremacism. There are commandments of tolerance in the Quran, but there are also injunctions to destroy that which is not islamic, to suppress and oppress 'unbelievers', despite the given opinion that "oppression is worse than slaughter". Yet, religious minorities are meant to "feel themselves oppressed". Which Mohammed are we meant to believe?

I think it's an excellent question that the author poses, but the example of every islamic society confirms that, yes, this is islam. I commend the author's horror and outrage at the developments in Iran, but how can she really be surprised? And what, then, will she do?

Geoff P

True,

Being a Muslim myself, these incidents leaves me speechless.

The article and some of the comments deny that the clerics – immersed as they are in Islamic scripture and teachings – represent Islam and that this is some terrible aberration of Islam.

Question – where in the world does the 'mercy and compassion' of Islam show itself? The clerics of Iran speak vile hatred and the Islamic state executes dissidents. The Taliban – translation "those seeking religious knowledge" and a movement led by clerics – behead, blow up schools and throw acid at girls who dare to wear no burka – in some other twisted interpretation of Islam. Poster boy for moderation – Turkey allows no churches to be built/expanded on Turkish soil and the tiny minority of non-Muslims left there are persecuted by the state for speaking of the Armenian genocide.

When there are so many supposed exceptions to the rule – the rule itself is in question.

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

You cannot have freedom of speech or thought when criticising the government and its laws is an act of Blasphemy (as is the case in Iran and other islamic theocracies).

You cannot expect Justice when the government has one law and standard for muslim men and another for women and non-muslims.

You cannot expect to form a gentle society when men are empowered to beat women and children in order to force them to comply with islamic norms and appearances (per Q 4:34).

You cannot form a civil or truthful society when those who wish to change their islamic religion (or share their non-muslim religion) are persecuted and killed. (Since Mohammad said "whoever changes his religion, kill him").

Until these issues are addressed honestly (which will entail a wholesale rethinking of the religion). . . . . The answer is, "Yes. This is Islam."

Is this Islam?
After watching the Algeria unrest, the burning down of girls schools in Afghanistan, the Shia Sunni conflicts in Iraq, the Iranian revolution and it's aftermath, It would appear to me that this is Islam.
If Islam is enlightenment and peace, why do they have to keep telling us?
We should be able to see it for ourselves.

The hard truth, as Ms. Nasr inadvertantly pointed out, is that "SUBMISSION" is antithetical to "LIBERTY".

The country is officially recognized (especially by Obama) as "The ISLAMIC Republic of Iran". The country is run by ISLAMIC clerics with ISLAMIC Sharia law. Virtually everyone in Iran is Muslim, certainly the protesters.

Why then should we support or have any sympathy for the protesters? Can't they just be good Muslims & SUBMIT to their ISLAMIC government, their ISLAMIC leaders, and their ISLAMIC sharia law?

Not if they want liberty they can't.

The people of Persia need to re-discover their great heritage of Cyrus, who gave the world one of the first charters of human rights and religious tolerance. If the Persians want to reclaim their heritage and their liberty, they have to cast off the yoke of Arab-Islamo Imperialism.

The Persians can either submit or fight for freedom. There are no other choices.

~ The Infidel Alliance

Octavia,

I'm certain that, Ayatollah Ahmed Khatami, knows more about Islam than you or any of the people who commented here. He is an Ayatollah after all. Those who carry the title are experts in Islamic studies such as jurisprudence, ethics, and philosophy and usually teach in Islamic seminaries. If he says, "merciless punishment" is part of Islam, then he is probably right. Welcome to true Islam, baby.

Koran (5:33) – "The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger and STRIVE TO MAKE MISCHIEF IN THE LAND is only this, that THEY SHOULD BE MURDERED or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement"

Bukhari (52:220) – Allah's Apostle (Muhammed) said... "I have been made victorious with terror"

Islam. Muhammed. Facts.

Res Ipsa Loquitur.

~ The Infidel Alliance

This is Islam as it is practiced by the most faithful.

Below are my thoughts of Islam and the possibility for reformation.

1) Moderate Muslims are simply those who were born Muslim, but aren't very religious.

2) A signification number of "rules" of Islam are coming from Sunnah (words, actions, sayings of Muhammad) and are coming from sources other than the Quran. (Most most respected inside the Islamic faith is Sahih Al-Bukhari )....

3) A reformation of Islam: Bukhari is exactly where reformation should begin. Tearing down these rules by understanding the source, corruption, and hearsay that these "rules" are built on... The Hadith books are target number one.

4) Islam, without reformation, is incompatible with democracy.... There is no freedom of religion (those who change there religion, kill them) -- There is no freedom of speech (read the blasphemy laws of Islamic countries, there is a religious source for these)

Islam has a negative reputation everywhere in the world as an unforgiving, hateful religion.

Many Islamic experts say that it was Muhammad himself who taught all this to his followers.

So how do you "reform" Islam exactly? That's my honest question.

Compare that to Christianity. It's true there are very bad people who call themselves Christians. But the bad stuff they do is against Jesus' teachings.

In Islam, however, it seems Muhammad himself encouraged the bad behaviors.

(Please don't bring up the Old Testament. Christians, by definition, are followers of Jesus Christ. They are supposed to follow Jesus' teachings, not anything else.

If we want to be honest about comparing Islam with Christianity, we should compare Muhammad with Jesus as they were the founders of the faiths who laid the original teachings.)

@ John Fullerton

The very same thing can be said of Christianity. A lot of hatred, killing and disrespect of others has been done in the name of Christianity as well. But, does that mean that all Christians are hate-filled killers?

There are extremist nuts in all religions that twist the word of God to fit their evil deeds. God's words are not at fault, it is Man's interpretation and misuse that are at fault.

With the detaining of westerners in Iran.....I think it's High time we step in and say .."Enough "........If not ........Then all options should be on the table............Enough is Enough.....

We have to ask – WWMD or What Would Muhammad Do? Here are his deeds:

1) a looter (raiding other tribes and keeping ten percent of the booty),
2) torturer (ordering the cutting of the hands and feet of 600 Jews),
3) rapist (having sex with a young woman the same night he had her family killed),
4) assassin (having a pregnant mother of five killed because she criticized him),
5) lustful (marrying his own adopted son's wife as he found her sexy) and
6) pedophile (consummating his 'marriage' with a child she being 9, and he 53).

Given the above – I think the Mullah's are doing exactly what Muhammad would do.

If we all had the attitude of John Fullerton, there certainly wouldn't be any reason or need to strive for peace in the Middle East..I guess his next brilliant thought would be to go over there and bomb everyone., that would solve the problem???? I feel sorry for someone like Mr.. Fullerton. suggesting that all of Islam is bad and all the people who practice it. is bad. Thats a giantic statement to make,I WOULD like to know how he came to that conclusion.and back up his statement with proof

If Iran claims to be a democratically run country, why, if there are 'irregularities' in the ballot would Moussavi's claim to have a re-election be dispelled? So much information is not being released, it's as if Iran's current regime, like Moussavi's supporters, are seeking for the sympathy of their people by taking aim at foreign diplomats. The whole situation is on the verge of an international dispute that may escalate, but hopefully not, into a war. Blatant, harsh, and deliberate slandering of foreign countries on the scale that Iran is following are nearly threatening to other countries, especially the US and UK.

It seems to me that situations like this arise every couple of years. The contention of politics is difficult to understand in many cases, but Iran's Unjustifiable banning of media show's the world that they may be wanting to keep some things secret. The videos that have been sent from Iran by independents greatly deteriorate the announcements of the Iranian government and state-run media. The world should take some kind of action in sending a strong and clear message to the Iranian government that this type of behavior is unacceptable. Perhaps UN actions to dismiss Iran from General assembly for a time to settle their problems would be appropriate. It is never justified to use violence against a countries own people.

Saying one or more individual
Represent the face of a religion
That's practiced by more than
Sixty percent of the planet is like
Blaming every shore in the world
For every dirty grain of sand on one beach

No, that is not Islam, that is called being a tyrannical despot.

What upsets me more is the lack of any real response from both the U.S. and the U.N. It is clear to me that no amount of verbal condemnation is going to dissuade the rulers of Iran from their agendas. What no one seems to have the backbone to admit is that we are dealing with violent and psychotic people hiding behind their religion to justify their crimes. You cannot negotiate with crazy people. The threats and actions by the Iranian government warrant a response much stronger than economic sanctions and angry letters. It's time the gloves came off and Iran's government recieved a good smack upside the head and their nuclear program dismantled forcefully as punishment for their blatant attacks on their own people.

I don't understand CNN or the other news outlets in the US that they let the Michael Jackson news take over the airways????? What happened to the Iran News?????? Michael Jackson is so irrelevant.

- Carol

This piece is so disheartening.

Octavia Nasr wrote: "The first verse of every chapter in the holy Muslim book, the Quran, goes like this, “In the name of God, most merciful, most compassionate.” Devout Muslims start many of their activities or speech with these glorious words."

Mr. Nasr apparently has only read the first verse of chapters in the "holy" Qur'an. Allah only has mercy on the Muslim believer. For unbelievers – those who rebel against Allah's apostle and his representatives on earth (the mullahs) – and towards hypocrites Allah has no mercy. Thus the Fatwa. This is authentic Islam. I feel sorry for Octavia Nasr. He lives in self-delusion.

MY HEART GOES WITH JACKSONS FAMILY, it amazed me my how bunch of hypocrites media or stars can do 360 turn around and saying nice thing about michael or pay tribute to MJ. I bet those people who ruing his reputation by creating false allegations, lawyers gave him bad advised as a result of a big media circus and tarnish his image ,media brain washed the people around the world by giving them notion that he is/was guilty are now sorry or are they? why keep playing the 911 call what are you trying to proved ?no matter how much you play that tape it will not bring MJ back. Media is trying find out the truth of his death, but they did not help him to find out the truth to prove that he is inocent while he was accused of molestation in fact you all condemn him. MJ legacy is an infinitive and no one could deny that. or take it away from him, like when media took away his dignity and turn people around the world against him when he was alive. R.I.P. mr. MJ

They are the Iranian opposition movement, young people, mostly students...If it looks like CIA, and smell's like CIA, it is CIA....

Yes, this is most certainly Islam. According to the Koran, Allah is only 'merciful' to those who submit to Islam totally. Those who don't should be subjucated or killed. This includes Muslims who wish to leave Islam, or who even question Islam. What's more, Islam is also a political ideology, since all laws in an Islamic state are based on the teachings of Muhammed. Therefore in the opinion of this Mullah, the protesters are questioning Islamic authority, and are subject to Allah's brutal penalties. And theologically, he's correct. This is the nature of Islam.

ask Obama – he's able to recite Islamic prayer with a first rate Arabic accent & he has been surrendering the United States to the "Muslim world" since the minute he took office

sharia is creeping in America – pay attention!!

Difficult.

Let Michael rest. If anyone listen to the Dateline brief information from the doctor's atty., Please someone ask the questions; why did this doctor not have a difibulator with him?He should have had a mini hospital setup. Why would he work on him for 30 minutes before calling 911? Why won't any one sign the death certificate?Too much lost information. The public may never know. Only God and Michael. I realize his Mom's religion may not let the Jacksons reveal Michael's medical problems, and that is ok. I just wish someone somewhere on some level would just tell the truth. I am not looking for blame, but that doctor did not follow medical standards and should be held accountable for that contributing to the death. It is just such a lost.

If the censors at AC 360 & this blog will let posters like Wael Doukmak reference the Koran, I would be grateful if they would afford me the same opportunity instead of deleting all of my posts.

If this blog is to be productive, all comments should be heard even if they sting a bit, as long as they are supported by facts.

Here is a hard truth about Islam: It is violent because its founder, Muhammed lived a violent life and demanded violence from his followers. Violence is part and parcel of Islams DNA since the Islamic year 1.

As can be supported by Islamic sources such as the Koran, Hadith, and Sira, Muhammed murdered, decapitated, amputated, mutilated, enslaved, raped, was a paedophile, was a sex trafficker, looted and committed genocide. Aren't these the acts of an evil man, not a righteous man? Charles Manson did much the same (yet not half as bad), yet he is locked away for life in prison.

And does the Koran support the Islamic clerics calls to “Annihilate the rioters” or that “they should be punished mercilessly” or not?

Koran 5:33 states: "The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement"

This is a direct quote from the Koran, which is Allah's direct and unadulterated word. After reading this passage, is there any doubt as to the inspiration of the Iranian Islamic clerics to brutally punish the mischievious protesters?

~ The Infidel Alliance

Waddaya bet Mr. and Mrs. Jackson go after Dr. Murray?

To John Fullerton and Joe Blonski: do you really think you can judge an entire group of people by the actions of a few? What of the religious conflicts in Northern Ireland and all of the terrorism carried out by the IRA? Does this mean that all Irishmen are terrorist? Then there was Scott Roeder who recently killed the abortion doctor George Tiller. Is Roeder representative of all Christians. Also, Timothy McVeigh, was he representative of all Christians? What of the so called Rev. Pat Robertson, does this hateful man speak for all Christians? I really wouldn't want people to think that he speaks for me as a Christian. I've travelled the world, including the Middle East. Get out and meet some people who are different than yourselves or from a vastly different background or culture and you will learn that people really are that different from each other.

Correction to my previous comment, I meant to say that you will learn that people really are not that different from each other.

I personally would like to see wack jackos doing hard labour for their crimes. Yah baby! Lock em up a don't let em go until they do their behavior adjustment home work. Mmmmm I don't know about all those so called high profile killers and attemted killers or assualters with deadly weapons I kicked and punched in the slammer but I;m watching Scarlett like the dreams I have that cooooomes true! my number is 7805325678 baby come get some. 11119-92 A St. Grande Prairie, Alberta Canada. T8V 3M4. I'm the stud half naked digging in the dirt and doing the lawn.

As Mr. Fullerton and Mr. Blonski have pointed out- yes in fact this is Islam. I don't know how closely it matches whatever is written in the Koran, but it definitely matches Islam as it has played on the world stage.

Conquest by force, forced conversion ("submission"), erasure of whatever culture its armies were able to overpower. The results are there for anyone to see on the world map- a swath of "Islamic" countries running west, south, and east from the source of the "Islamic" armies. Thankfully the Byzantines, and later Charlemagne were there to hold the line to the north.

It is nice that we are all now being told that Islam is a "religion of peace." I suppose that is why my previous comment to this effect was not posted. I will be surprised if this one is posted, since we are all supposed to "play nice" by ignoring the history of this religion, which is one of violent conquest.

"Where is the compassion in the Iranian mullah’s speech? Where is the Mercy?" you ask. There is none.

Religion was flushed down the toilet by the power-elite in Iran long ago as were humanity and morals.

The regime in Iran is about "control": An iron-fisted control with which the elite hang on to power, and with which they scarf up the national wealth (cf. recent articles on the frozen assets of Khamenei's son in the UK).

There will be _no_ compassion, nor will there be mercy as Iran's long-suffering people demand their rights. In order for Khamenei and his ilk to cede their illegitimate power their fingers will have to pried off of it one by one.

At the same time US lead invasion of Iraq killed about a million in Iraq. Which religion does allows that?

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