I kinda want to visit Iran. Anyone here ever gone?

[sagan 0]

Currently I believe the President of Iran is extending an offer to anyone to come visit (no not a joke, it was a real press release a few months ago, google it). I'm not sure if they were willing to subsidize the flight or what not but they would probably offer tours and other state sponsored/guided events.

When I was a student, I had a chance to go to Cuba and we had the same opportunity. Yes the stuff you may be exposed by the government may be slanted but who is to say what we see isn't slanted either. It gave us the opportunity to come up with our own conclusions, plus it was a neat experience.

-Patrick

[Digitalmafia 0]

I was in Egypt in November and met 2 guys who had been to Iran a year before (Aussies) - they had to get some special visas but once in country they were treated very well and almost taken too good of care of (they felt like everyone was being too nice cause they were foreigners)-certainly many would joke about going there, but the history and culture would be amazing.

This comment must be a troll:
"I prefer to live in the U.S. where the government respects me regardless of my religious or cultural affiliations, and where people don't have to fear persecution because they're "different". "
If your culture is white (which i am sure it is) and if your religion (implying you must have one...) is Christian or some other sect of Christianity-or anything Jesus/Bible based...ya your good to go ;)

[JohnRich 4]

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The current government is a religious one so as long as you respect their culture you will be fine.

I prefer to live in the U.S. where the government respects me regardless of my religious or cultural affiliations, and where people don't have to fear persecution because they're "different".

yeah because that shit NEVER happens in the good ole USofA
open your eye johnny boy

The Bahai

Women, and more

Persecution index: 9th in the world

Arab Discrimination

Open your own eyes - the evidence of persecution in Iran is everywhere.

[JohnRich 4]

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if your religion is Christian or some other sect of Christianity-or anything Jesus/Bible based...ya your good to go ;)

Christianity is banned outright in Iran. Try and practice it, and you will get arrested by state police.

Please tell me with what non-Christian religions that happens in America?

[grue 1]

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if your religion is Christian or some other sect of Christianity-or anything Jesus/Bible based...ya your good to go ;)

Christianity is banned outright in Iran. Try and practice it, and you will get arrested by state police.

Please tell me with what non-Christian religions that happens in America?

Atheists cannot hold public office in some parts of the US. I consider that pretty fucking offensive.

cavete terrae.

[Thanatos340 1]

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Atheists cannot hold public office in some parts of the US. I consider that pretty fucking offensive.

Bullshit.

OK.. Off to SC with this.

[grue 1]

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Atheists cannot hold public office in some parts of the US. I consider that pretty fucking offensive.

Bullshit.

OK.. Off to SC with this.

Arkansas State Constitution, Article 19 Section 1 ("Miscellaneous Provisions")
No person who denies the being of a God shall hold any office in the civil departments of this State, nor be competent to testify as a witness in any court.

Maryland's Declaration of Rights, Article 36
"That as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him, all persons are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty; wherefore, no person ought by any law to be molested in his person or estate, on account of his religious persuasion, or profession, or for his religious practice, unless, under the color of religion, he shall disturb the good order, peace or safety of the State, or shall infringe the laws of morality, or injure others in their natural, civil or religious rights; nor ought any person to be compelled to frequent, or maintain, or contribute, unless on contract, to maintain, any place of worship, or any ministry; nor shall any person, otherwise competent, be deemed incompetent as a witness, or juror, on account of his religious belief; provided, he believes in the existence of God, and that under His dispensation such person will be held morally accountable for his acts, and be rewarded or punished therefore either in this world or in the world to come."

Massachusetts' State Constitution, Article 3
"Any every denomination of Christians, demeaning themselves peaceably, and as good subjects of the commonwealth, shall be equally under the protection of the law: and no subordination of any one sect or denomination to another shall ever be established by law."

Mississippi State Constitution. Article 14 ("General Provisions"), Section 265
No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office in this state.

North Carolina's State Constitution, Article 6 Section 8
"Disqualifications of office. The following persons shall be disqualified for office: First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God."


Pennsylvania's State Constitution, Article 1 Section 4
"No person who acknowledges the being of a God and a future state of rewards and punishments shall, on account of his religious sentiments, be disqualified to hold any office or place of trust or profit under this Commonwealth."

South Carolina's State Constitution, Article 4 Section 2
"No person shall be eligible to the office of Governor who denies the existence of the Supreme Being; ..."
Note: If you continue reading you will find that (in Section 8) the Lieutenant Governor must also meet the same qualifications as the Governor.

Tennessee's State Constitution, Article 9 Section 2
"No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this state."

Texas' State Constitution, Article 1 Section 4
"No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office, or public trust, in this State; nor shall any one be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being."





How's that for bullshit?

cavete terrae.

[Zipp0 1]

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Christianity is banned outright in Iran. Try and practice it, and you will get arrested by state police.

It is? There are lots of Christians in Iran - are they all in jail?

--------------------------
Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down.

[Darius11 12]

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if your religion is Christian or some other sect of Christianity-or anything Jesus/Bible based...ya your good to go ;)

Christianity is banned outright in Iran. Try and practice it, and you will get arrested by state police.

Please tell me with what non-Christian religions that happens in America?

A lie John nice one. You’re making things up as always i see.

I have friends who are Christians in Iran not that I read about but people I shook hands with and hang out with at least 2-3 times a month. People i still keep in touch with

Not only are they allowed to worship as they wish, they are allowed to make alcoholic beverages for there own use. No Muslim is given that right because are religion prohibits that but the Christian religion is respected so they are allowed to make as much as they wish.

Also the local state run TV always wishes Christians a happy holiday and speaks of Jesus in a much more respected way then it is offthen done here in US. Whenever the name Jesus is brought up it is immediately followed with Peace Be Upon him.

Sorry if this will take this to SC, but I can’t let a blatant bull shit lie just pass.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[JohnRich 4]

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Christianity is banned outright in Iran. Try and practice it, and you will get arrested by state police.

A lie John nice one. You’re making things up as always i see.

Okay, let me modify that slightly: Christian proselytism is banned outright in Iran. Try and teach or convert others to Christianity, and you will get arrested by state police.

Now, are you going to disupte that one?

Remember, western missionaries have been arrested and expelled for teaching Christianity and handing out Bibles...

How is that for religious tolerance?

[grue 1]

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Christianity is banned outright in Iran. Try and practice it, and you will get arrested by state police.

A lie John nice one. You’re making things up as always i see.

Okay, let me modify that slightly: Christian proselytism is banned outright in Iran. Try and teach or convert others to Christianity, and you will get arrested by state police.

Now, are you going to disupte that one?

Remember, western missionaries have been arrested and expelled for teaching Christianity and handing out Bibles...

How is that for religious tolerance?

I actually have mixed feelings on that. While I don't think it should be illegal per se, I have a deep hatred of people who push their beliefs on others. Even though I'm an atheist, I have respect for religious people in general, so long as they don't try and make me think like them. I don't push my thoughts on them, and I expect them to be left alone in turn.

cavete terrae.

[skyguy78 0]

I have not been to Iran but I have been to Qatar. It is a friendly little nation south of Iran. My experiance is that majority of the people are very friendly and very willing to make you feel comfortable in their country. You must remember that if you are a visitor in a country then you need to make an effort to be a good guest. Respect the customs and beliefs of the people and country that has allowed you to be its guest.

There is a fine line between being a hopeless romantic and a stalker

[JohnRich 4]

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Christian proselytism is banned outright in Iran. Try and teach or convert others to Christianity, and you will get arrested by state police.

I actually have mixed feelings on that. While I don't think it should be illegal per se, I have a deep hatred of people who push their beliefs on others. Even though I'm an atheist, I have respect for religious people in general, so long as they don't try and make me think like them. I don't push my thoughts on them, and I expect them to be left alone in turn.

I agree with a dislike of pushy people. When they come to my door, I just say "no" and shut the door in their face. I'm not going to be polite and listen to a long speech about their religion.

However, if they want to invite people who voluntarily come to hear what they have to say, that shouldn't be a problem anywhere.

But it is in Iran... You can be a Christian there. Just don't talk about it to anyone else.

[JohnRich 4]

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You must remember that if you are a visitor in a country then you need to make an effort to be a good guest. Respect the customs and beliefs of the people and country that has allowed you to be its guest.

So if they're stoning a woman to death for having an extra-marital affair, we should join-in by picking up stones and throwing them?

[grue 1]

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You must remember that if you are a visitor in a country then you need to make an effort to be a good guest. Respect the customs and beliefs of the people and country that has allowed you to be its guest.

So if they're stoning a woman to death for having an extra-marital affair, we should join-in by picking up stones and throwing them?

Surely you're not being serious. Respecting a tradition or custom doesn't mean participating in it.

When my family has me over for passover, or any other holiday, I respect the fact that they say prayers and such. I do not, however, participate in the prayers.

cavete terrae.

[JohnRich 4]

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You must remember that if you are a visitor in a country then you need to make an effort to be a good guest. Respect the customs and beliefs of the people and country that has allowed you to be its guest.

So if they're stoning a woman to death for having an extra-marital affair, we should join-in by picking up stones and throwing them?

Surely you're not being serious. Respecting a tradition or custom doesn't mean participating in it.

When my family has me over for passover, or any other holiday, I respect the fact that they say prayers and such. I do not, however, participate in the prayers.

So your idea of showing "respect" then, would be to stand by and watch the woman be stoned to death, but to do nothing to either help kill her, nor to try and intervene and save her?

[crotalus01 0]

Good Luck Grue. I am a big fan of archaeology and have been trying to get a visa to Iran for about 5 years now, no Americans allowed unless you are on a government tour (which I refuse to be tied to) or are of Iranian decent/have Iranian relatives - and even then they make you jump through hoops.
Closest I have been is Afghanistan (vacation 2003 - awesome country with super friendly people, just remember that it only takes one unfriendly one to ruin your day quickly). Afghanistan is also a persian culture, they speak Dari which is to Farsi (Iran's language) what old english is to modern english. Alas, Afghanistan doesn't have Persepolis - but it does have the Minaret of Jam and the Band-i-Amir lakes.

As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD...

[crotalus01 0]

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Currently I believe the President of Iran is extending an offer to anyone to come visit (no not a joke, it was a real press release a few months ago, google it). I'm not sure if they were willing to subsidize the flight or what not but they would probably offer tours and other state sponsored/guided events.reply]

Unfortunately this does not include Americans, Canadians or Brits. Canadians don't have too much trouble getting in as it is, Brits can get in but its slightly tougher. Americans? I know of a few who got WAY lucky and went to the Special Interests section in DC and talked them into a visa, but thats highly unlikely given the current political tensions.
Citizens of damn near every other country you can think of are entitled to a tourist visa upon arrival at Tehran, Shiraz or Esfahan airports, a program that was started early last year when Tehran formed a Tourism Department.
The only place I know of that Americans can freely visit is the Island of Kish off the Straights of Hormuz - they do not require a visa of anyone AFAIK...

As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD...

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[crotalus01 0]

JohnRich - its a different culture with different laws than we have. Given the situation you describe, theres not a damn thing anyone could do to help or save the woman once the Islamic Court has rendered their verdict. Best option would simply be not to watch - its not like KSA where they round people up and force them to watch the amputations and executions...
When I was in Afghanistan in 2003 there was a walling - where they push a 15 foot high ciderblock wall over on the offender (considered more humane and quicker than traditional stoning). I simply opted not to view it.

As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD...

[warpedskydiver 0]

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At least it doesn't come with a hood, electrodes, sleep deprivation and german shepard snapping at your `nads.

You obviously have not been in my garage.

[grue 1]

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So your idea of showing "respect" then, would be to stand by and watch the woman be stoned to death, but to do nothing to either help kill her, nor to try and intervene and save her?

Short version: Yes. It's not my culture, and they aren't my rules. I'll know that going in.

cavete terrae.

[JohnRich 4]

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The only place I know of that Americans can freely visit is the Island of Kish - they do not require a visa of anyone AFAIK...

That is supposedly some kind of resort island, but it's also the place where the American businessman went missing...

[JohnRich 4]

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JohnRich - its a different culture with different laws than we have. Given the situation you describe, theres not a damn thing anyone could do to help or save the woman...

That may be true, but it doesn't mean that we have to "respect" the barbaric practice. We can be disgusted by it, refuse to participate or watch, turn around, and walk away.

[grue 1]

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Unfortunately this does not include Americans, Canadians or Brits.
The only place I know of that Americans can freely visit is the Island of Kish off the Straights of Hormuz - they do not require a visa of anyone AFAIK...

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No Americans allowed unless you are on a government tour (which I refuse to be tied to) or are of Iranian decent/have Iranian relatives - and even then they make you jump through hoops.

Great. By virtue of sharing my citizenship with a bunch of ignorant, intolerant, and domineering assholes, I'm once again fucked over.

Maybe I can go once I get my Australian citizenship

cavete terrae.

[IanHarrop 42]

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Seems like it'd just be an interesting place to visit.

Join the military.... I think they planning to arrange tours of Iran in the near future

"Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy