Would you live in an arab country provided that you have an stable and decent job in your field? You are welcome :)
If I can feel safe as an atheist, and I can publish my novels (that are very graphic in sex and violence), why not?
Latest answers from Kaveh Mousavi
A Muslim woman recently asserted via The Guardian that her wearing of the hijab was an essential part of her identity and a feminist choice and my male leftie friends are in complete agreement. How do you view the hijab and how do women in Iran feel about it?
Feminism is supporting women's choices, so of course if a woman chooses to wear hijab, her choice should be respected. However, to claim that the concept of hijab itself is a feminist concept is simply ludicrous: hijab inherently posits that women's body is something shameful, and that women have a responsibility to "shield" themselves from the male gaze and sexual attraction. If a woman chooses to wear hijab, she has chosen to embrace an oppressive symbol.
Iranian in my social circle either abhor hijab or at least want it to become voluntary. The IPOS polling agency took a poll which said 49% of Iranians disagree with mandatory hijab. I was disappointed that we do not have a majority on this issue.
Iranian in my social circle either abhor hijab or at least want it to become voluntary. The IPOS polling agency took a poll which said 49% of Iranians disagree with mandatory hijab. I was disappointed that we do not have a majority on this issue.
I know this is probably an obviously, ignorantly broad question... However, I'm admittedly ignorant and do not want to stay that way. What books would you recommend to someone wanting to better understand the Middle East?
If you want to learn about Iran, the best book I can recommend is "Iran Between Two Revolutions" by Ervand Abrahamian.
About Saudi Arabia, one very enlightening book is " Regime Stability in Saudi Arabia: The Challenge of Succession" by Stig Stenslie. It's a bit old (considering new King has arrived and some of the princes are dead), but it explains the structure of power in Saudi Arabia very well.
Hopefully these two books are a good start :P
About Saudi Arabia, one very enlightening book is " Regime Stability in Saudi Arabia: The Challenge of Succession" by Stig Stenslie. It's a bit old (considering new King has arrived and some of the princes are dead), but it explains the structure of power in Saudi Arabia very well.
Hopefully these two books are a good start :P
What is the weirdest thing you've heard somebody say?
Half my life is spent in Iranian politics the other half in atheism, asking me "what is the weirdest thing you've heard" is like asking me what is the most oxygen thing you have breathed.
What are you thoughts on President Obama's comments about ISIS and their ilk not representing Islam and that we are not at war with Islam? At first I totally agreed, but lately I've been wondering if that's not a form of the "No-True-Scotsman" fallacy…
Here's my take on this issue.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/marginoferr/2014/09/12/obama-is-right-to-be-wrong-about-is/
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/marginoferr/2014/09/12/obama-is-right-to-be-wrong-about-is/
Me again. Actually, I mean I know that you post mostly about religious and political issues, but I would so love to hear about the normal lives of young people in Iran who want relationships, be happy and party and how they deal with that. Could you do one post on "being young in Iran" or something?
This might be good to start: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/marginoferr/2014/12/21/sexual-liberation-work-in-progress/
I should write more articles like this. The reason that politics gets more coverage in my blog is that I feel a lot more confident about it - I'm sure I'm right. On more personal levels, I have to be much more careful.
I should write more articles like this. The reason that politics gets more coverage in my blog is that I feel a lot more confident about it - I'm sure I'm right. On more personal levels, I have to be much more careful.
Really stupid question. Considering that sex outside of marriage/homosexuality is illegal in Iran, how do people deal with that? Are there still girlfriend/boyfriend relationships that you know of, or do people keep that super-secret/not even tell friends? Is there a gay community? How do they deal?
In Tehran and big cities there's a lot of boyfriends/girlfriends, the relationship is much more taboo in some other regions. Sex happens - a lot, but it's complicated. We're not a bunch of virgins (except those who are trapped in very bad regions) but the feeling of guilt and repression doesn't go away easily.
There's no gay community. They are much more oppressed than the rest of us, and I think most LGBT people will end up very unhappy - worse than the rest of us. Iran has progressed in many areas, but homophobia is not one of them, sadly.
There's no gay community. They are much more oppressed than the rest of us, and I think most LGBT people will end up very unhappy - worse than the rest of us. Iran has progressed in many areas, but homophobia is not one of them, sadly.
What's your favorite pickup line?
"Pick up that glass of vodka and give it to me."
In the Uk and US, virtually all leftists/liberals are willing to tear apart Christianity and Christian theocracy. Among liberals and leftists in the UK and US, specifically the 30 and under folks, what percentage do you feel are willing to criticize Islamic theocracy like the do the Christian kind?
I have no idea, honestly. But there's too many of them, there should be less, that I'm sure of. :P
Hey, I got some new stuff that I love from your albums of 2014, any more recomendations? I knew most of it bit I didn't know and particularly enjoyed Ne Obliviscaris and Agalloch. Any more in that vein?. Also loving your blog and FB posts,all thought provoking. Thanks!
One album I really wanted to put in the list but sadly missed its spot was Lorelei's "Lore of Lies", a horror-themed metal album, and especially "The Singularity (Phase I - Neohumanity)" by Scar Symmetry, which I left out because I didn't want the entire list to be metal.
Thanks! :)
Thanks! :)
Would you say that Persians are the most nationalistic group of people in the middle east?
Persians are nationalistic to a disgusting degree, but I have seen similar nationalism from Turks and Arabs as well.