What Some Americans Dont Get About Iran

by R.F. Goggin

If you are American, chances are fairly good that you are aware of at least some measure of religious prophecy associated with the concept of the end times, or Armageddon as it is usually referred to. Most often it has to do with a human-being inclined, but supernaturally omnipotent entity by the name of Jesus, who will lead a horde of heavenly spirits in service to a God of all things good into war against forces of evil that inhabit the inherently materialistic, sinful and easily corruptible people of the planet Earth. It is generally believed by the Christian faithful that this important occurrence will be a time (or even a day) of divine judgment for humanity as a whole. The scenario of the end times as I have described it, however, one would be properly advised to understand is not unique to the Book of Revelation or to Christian theosophy and is uncannily paralleled within the Shia branch of the Islamic faith, for example, which presently makes up the religious beliefs of roughly 90% of the Shiite Muslim population of Iran. Why are such things significant, you may wonder? Because unlike Iraq, when ruled by Saddam Hussein; or Libya while under Muammar Gaddafi, Iran is one of less than a dozen countries in the world that happens to be a religious state. Which of course, basically amounts in this case to a nation whose leaders consider themselves merely stewards in lieu of (or servants primarily in service to) one whom they name Allah (or Supreme God), and his prophets. Curiously, although one may often hear the term Islamic fundamentalists used quite a bit in the United States with respect to practitioners of the Muslim religion, who for whatever reasons are deemed to be radical in their beliefs not as often heard are the words Christian fundamentalists. This partiality, though not relative to ones understanding a potential American armed conflict in the making with Iran, I nonetheless find worthy to consider. It seems clear enough to me that whomsoever believes in prophesied events of an apocalyptic end time by however means such a set of unearthly circumstances have been preconceived upon us all, might very well also be classified as a religious fundamentalist.

When in the not so distant past, U.S. President George W. Bush, would speak publicly about the Iraq war, something one would hear him emphasize over and over again, was that America was not actually at war with the Iraqi people, but rather with the regime in power. This bit of war propagation, of course, was not even slightly devised because Bush cared about the welfare or freedom of Iraqs citizenry, as he would have the world believe of him, but rather to try to help stave off not only as much Iraqi nationalistic pride as he might manage, but moreover, however much religious fervor which was festering, as possible, among the worlds Islamic population over an American invasion of a Muslim country. And so therefore, it will be for these very same reasons, in spite of what seems the necessity of providing maintenance for the secure flow of oil throughout the region, that the world will hear similar oratory practiced by American politicians toward the Iranian populace as once again, war is deemed necessary by Western governments. Any attempt by a predominately Christian, United States, to create conflict or to try to disarm a nation where the significant number of its people believe in an end time religious philosophy, will require a painstakingly deliberate level of propaganda surely exceeding any other war rhetoric which has gone before. Despite not being specifically mentioned within the actual literature of Holy Quran, in reference to what was stated earlier; by virtue of religious tradition known to the Muslim faith as Hadiths or 'the Hadith' (which among other things are the teachings of prophets), there is nevertheless an individual of who is similar in scope and nature, and is apparently of even greater divine stature to one, Jesus, by comparison. I speak of he of whom it is, Muslims who reverence him name Imam Mahdi. And it is a historically religious fact, if you will, that this particular individual is actually the current head of state of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The word Ayatollah for all intents and purposes, means the place holder of the Madhi. Much like Jesus, who incidentally is not the Christ to an Islamist, The Mahdi - in addition to an instigator of a divine time of judgment, is both a savior figure and harbinger of spiritual change for the entire world. His name, basically translates into one who is guided specifically by Allah. Mahmoud Armhedhinajad, the current President of Iran, is reportedly a staunch believer in the inevitable arrival on the world stage of Imam Mahdi. Indeed, "sooner than we might think" as I have heard him state - and how he seemingly prefers to have things. He constantly makes reference to this

approaching, supposedly spiritual event in nearly all of his major public speeches. It has been alleged in Iran, that Armhedhinajad is connected to a radical Shia religious sect, called the Hojjateah. A group of Islamic fundamentalists which purport the notion that the more chaos they can create, then of course, the faster the fabled and celebrated Mahdi will manifest. Banned by Ayotollah Khomeini in 1983, The Hojjateah crept into an underground mode to become the stuff of legend - and then from there, launched what some Iranians think was a silent government coup, whereby they are presently about the secret business of hastening the fulfillment of religious prophecy while entrenched in the highest positions of power in Iran. What the political facts are in actuality in any country in the Middle East, is likely any average Americans guess. But a surety of this particular situation, it seems to me, is that unlike the secular country of the United States, religion, is always uppermost in the minds of the leaders in Iran. That Mahdi will vanquish and destroy the Jews upon his return, has been prophesied by Islamic figures of the past, and so is presumably therefore a matter of commonplace Shia thought. It is actually also suggested through Shiite belief that Jesus of Nazareth will descend from some lofty, ethereal place to join forces with Imam Mahdi, whereupon all who are left in the world will be converted to Islam by these unlikely seeming accomplices. Jesus, will even be taught to pray as he should by Imam Mahdi and will end up forsaking the wisdom of his own gospel for that of the Quran. An eerily familiar day of judgment, perhaps precipitated by the very Sun rising in the West, will then ensue. And again, even as it is with Christianity, along with Islams own chaotic bouts of apocalyptic - good vs. evil times; which also will be preceded by such familiar Biblical type horrors as wars, floods and famine, there shall be a devil or fiendish spirit of whom it wall fall upon the prophet Isa (Jesus) to eventually dispose of, who will go by the name of Dajjal. In light of what I have stated thus far, I would take a moment to ask a fellow American if something such as the thought of a 'Pat Roberston' type individual as the President of the United States, frightens them even a little bit? Or are you the type of Christian willing to belive every word out the man's mouth. If not, then try to take my notion a step further if you would and attempt to contemplate a situation where the leaders of a nuclear armed, theocratic nation, who believe, for example, like Catholics do, that their theosophy is the one true religion, and multiply it with an accepted and

sanctified religious ideal that it is their spiritual beliefs only of which are destined to prevail at whatever means are available? Because I am not a player on the world platform of geopolitical issues or matters of state, I tend to liken events which may or may not occur in such respect as an ordinary layman might. In doing so, I offer the analogy to the reader of a no name prize-fighter who desperately desires at least a chance to contend with the heavyweight boxing champion of the world. Despite being the longest of shots conceivable for victory or glory for such an individual, since they have nothing much to lose by making the effort, and a dream to realize, why not decide at some point to step into the ring, in the hope of landing an unforeseen or decisive 'knockout' blow. R.F. Goggin is the Editor of The New World Reporter.