Religions of Iran: From Prehistory to the Present

by Richard C. Foltz

Today it is Iran’s association with Islam that commands discussion and debate. But this perception obscures a far more influential and complex relationship with religion. Iran has in fact played an unparalleled role in shaping all the world religions, injecting Iranian ideas into the Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim traditions.

This vivid and surprising work explores the manner in which Persian culture has interacted with and transformed each world faith, from the migration of the Israelites to Iran thousands of years ago, to the influence of Iranian notions on Mahayana Buddhism and Christianity. Travelling through thousands of years of history, Foltz’s powerful and evocative journey uncovers a vital and fresh account of our spiritual heritage in this fascinating region.

Genres: History, Iran, Religion, Nonfiction, Middle East

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2013

Reviews

[Monty Milne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fascinating and scholarly work is an in depth consideration of the remarkable variety of religions encompassed within the borders of modern Iran, from pre historic times to the present day. And despite the fact that Iran describes itself as an Islamic Republic, Islam is only one amongst many. And Shi’a Islam is more diverse than I had thought. When the fourteen year old poet and warlord Esma’il established Safavid rule at the point of the sword, he identified as Shi’a: yet he also seems to have believed Ali was divine, and that he himself was a reincarnation of Alexander. This is very far from any version of Shi’a Islam – or indeed any other form of Islam at all.

Sufism, too, had many followers in Iran, and again their dancing and wine drinking and mystical theology takes us far from Islam as most people would understand it. I liked the poetry of Jami (who died in 1492), who thought a capacity for earthly love was a pre requisite for loving the divine:

Drink deep of earthly love, so that thy lip
May learn the wine of holier love to sip

There are plenty of even more interesting and exotic beliefs here. These include the Yaresan (probably with pre Zoroastrian roots, though considering themselves a Shi’a sect) and the famous (and sadly persecuted) Yezidi (also probably of pre Zorastrian origin). The Zoroastrians themselves of course take up a lot of the text. Clearly, there are all sorts of connections between Zoroastrianism, Mithraism, the solar cult, and the bull cult. To what extent was the Mithraism that was so hugely popular in the Roman army a continuation of ancient Iranian Zoroastrianism? It is not easy to tell.
The goddess Anahita is often depicted wearing beaver pelts – so she cannot be of Mesopotamian origin. Was this pre Indo European goddess originally from the far north, perhaps the Urals? Is there a link with the bronze age Sintashta culture? Some may feel there are more questions than answers in all of this.

I cannot do justice, in a brief review, to the many absorbing things discussed herein – to take just some of those starting with the letter M, we have the Mazdakites (an ancient sect of free love communists), the Mandaean Gnostics (who hoped to become extinct, thus ushering the end of the world), and the Mountain Jews (Persian speakers, known as the Juhuro, cut off from the rest of the Jewish diaspora for centuries, and preserving many curious ancient traditions). Fascinating and absorbing stuff.

[Daniel Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I have a book whose contents are so exhaustive and which so precisely fits its title. It's all in there... a lot more than you expect. Not as much discussion of the religions themselves, except the rare ones, a lot more about society, historical events, and so forth. Highly recommend, especially if you want a window into Iranian culture. Really fascinating.

[Brian Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Foltz's conversational style and the way he examines the various versions of each religious tradition, without presuming that any one version is the real one. Also, there's a chapter on the goddesses of Iran, some called deities and others called saints. Clearly, Iran has been one of the world's most prolific countries for generating religions and sects.