We Are Iran

For class, we are reading "We Are Iran" which is a book of translated excerpts from Iranian blogs. It is crazy how many blogs there are coming out of Iran- Farsi is the 4th biggest language blogs are written in. Young people (especially girls!) use blogs to not only tell the world about the reality of Iran, but also to flirt and communicate freely- something that most Iranian teenagers must do in secret, if they do at all. In addition, Iran has started to crack down on blogs- several bloggers were arrested on charges of adultery with each other even though there is no record of them even having met. Many young people write about how they feel that blogging is the only thing that allows them to breathe.

Many blogs also write about the struggles they have choosing between imported traditions and ways of life versus keeping alive the traditions and holidays of their own, more restricting, culture. If they disagree with the religion that defines their holidays, are they then betraying their own culture by celebrating Western ones?

One blogger writes that "religious education is the quickest way to create agnostics in the modern world."* I definitely agree. After years of religious classes, I have come to believe that religion is something solely determined by what part of the world you are born in, what time period you are born in, and how religious your parents are. Some religions last longer and some religions may have more "miracles," but in the end, it just comes down to chance. I can't believe how incredibly lucky I have been to be born in modern day America. I keep dying my hair over and over again, because I know I will not be able to get away with it in Jordan- especially not with my host family. I know that in some place like Iran, I would suffocate.

*ibahram.blogspot.com if anyone out there speaks Farsi!