December 31, 2003
Chariots of Gods
It was shortly after the Iranian revolution of 1979 when I first got my hands on the Farsi version of Erich Von Daniken's Chariots of God. The Swiss scientist's book was intriguing, fresh and downright radical. The flow of information was limited on both sides of the argument, so we never got to watch his "In Search of Ancient Astronauts" television show or received many of the arguments and evidence against his theories. In this situation, most of his assertions were taken as gospel and accepted without much critical debate.
I think Daniken was and is greatly instrumental in the way many Iranians of newer generation feel about religion, God and the universe. Perhaps it is also the reason certain cults have found an eager audience amongst young Iranians.
While I am not trying to argue for or against Daniken's theories here, I believe the lesson about limiting flow of information is a valuable one we should pay attention to. Limiting exchange of ideas has currently created a vacuum atmosphere, ready for any idea that may come across as legible and credible to spread like wildfire, be it Rev. Moon's church, Jesuit missionaries, Hare Krishnas or Islamist Cults.
Daniken may be busy at his park, but we will have a long way to go in breaking down the barriers set up by cultural, religious and governmental forces that will plague us for years to come.
Posted by Pedram at December 31, 2003 05:03 PM"Certain Cults"? You mean like Islam?
Posted by: A.H. at January 1, 2004 03:52 AMNo ... Islam is the religion of the majority of Iranians. Pedram means cults like the kind of cults you have in the US; the "California" style cults.
The failure of old-style organized religions in answering to the real problems of the daily life has resulted in popularity of new cults. These cults might become future religions (the way Christianity and Islam became) or stay in minority like Baha'i Faith. To me the popularity of Buddhism (and other similar psudo-philosophies such as TM) among the youth from the upper-middle class Tehranis is very interesting. New systems of irrationality are replacing the old ones.
I don't really hold anything against Islam, I do think all organized religions have brought very little good to the world. That statement doesn't make me an athiest. I should have put a smiley face after the comment.
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