Abarmard

However

we should not mix everything together, joloye bazy az tafakorat bayad estad hata besorate mosalahane, remember once slavery was not a bad thing, some believes are sick, dirty and dark and we must not respect them under any circumstances.

If I may

I like the whole family except the sister. If the "sister is MKO", may I say Khahareto...!!!

How do we build it?

The biggest issue that has divided Iranians, in the first place, is people's diverse approaches to running the affairs of the country and building a democracy.

As Bijan AM has put it correctly, "Only a democratic society under a democratic government can live up to the message of that statement."

It is under a democratic government that a legal system promoting and protecting the rights of all citizens can be introduced.

Indeed, people bring about such demoracies and legal systems through their struggles.

Incorporation of the universal human rights into the constitutions of some of the more advanced democracies was made possible through people's struggles which were not always peaceful, tolerant or respectful.

Let's review Iran's history of the past thirty years and remember people's demands for freedom and democracy and what has been done to those demands and those who advocate them.

Today in Iran, it is not the majority of Iranians who are intolerant and disrespectful of each other, it is the laws of the land that enforce and promote intolerance, division and hatred.

Re: Abarmard

I don't think the problem is our diverse and sometimes opposite political points of views. The main problem is that most of the groups you mentioned want to impose their belief on the rest. This is worst than even "lack of tolerance", as it goes one step farther.

Also, Iran was in the dark ages for centuries. It is only in the last century (about four generations) that enlightenment had begun.

Abarmard Aziz !!

You Said it all :

"If we build it, the government shall come".

Best Wishes

Bijan jan

You are absolutely right this time !

The main objective is "Respect & Tolerance" and not the reverse,

as "Tolerance & Respect" will change the meaning of our purpouse , a 180 degree.

If we build it, the government shall come....

I am probably the only dumb and stupid reader to miss the point of your post that promotes peace and love for other Iranians.

Would I be totally out of line to conclude from your post that we have not had a true democracy for over 1400 years because we are less tolerant of others than we are tolerant of our own family members?

I whole heartedly agree with your statement:

 “Treat all Iranians with respect and allow them to exist. “

I only replace the word “Iranian” with “other human being”. 

 But, I don’t believe that, this in itself will bring about a democratic government. Only a democratic society under a democratic government can live up to the message of that statement.A submissive nation with blind tolerance of oppression will never see the light of democracy.

History has shown that you have to fight to bring democracy to your land and you have to be willing to give your life to protect it (the democracy).By building tolerance and respect for your oppressor (even if he is your family), democracy shall never come……

Well said Abarmard,but I like to take it a step furthur to ....

Peace on earth!

The missing dysfunctional family

Except the Islamist Marxist Mujahedeen who are on this motley crew list, the absence of Tudeh and assortment of other lefty organizations that initially were in total cahoots and participated with the Islamist Regime in all the bloody purges is striking. The given dysfunctional family will never get along knowing the Toudehee uncle is the one who turned in the Nationalist brother-in-law which culminated in his torture by Islamist cousin and then executed.  Justice and accountability are integral part of any Democracy.  One can not on one hand call Islamist republic “a Democracy” and then expect civil discourse from the victims of this phantom democracy. Ant-Americanism is not a get out of jail card. 

Iranian society and democracy

Iranian society is indeed one of the most fractured ones I have ever experienced. That is the main reason it is so hard for Iran to achieve democracy in its true sense. The most powerful block in Iran is, and has been for at least 5 centuries, religion, Shia Islam. The society is changing though, mostly thanks to the media and more schooling, education, and there will be lots of upheavals ahead while the Iranian idealogies become more and more assertive. This will not necessarily bring democracy any time soon, but the change is going to be for the better in the long run.

democracy in Iran

The very fundation of a Democratic society is Justice , and its Noble and fine to be of tolorent of others , but future  democratic goverment in Iran should Deal justly with murderers and thugs of this regime, even if they are our brothers and sisters.

what is democracy?

Manoucher jan,

Here is a humble attempt at delving into what democracy is, what is wrong with democracy today and a proposed solution (not about Iran specifically):

Reclaiming Democracy

Peace!

Welldone!

Abarmard;

Honestly, I do not know what democracy is, and I don't think there is a conclusive definition of the subject either; however what you have put forward is a wonderful concept that we must adhere to in order to create a social network within whose frameworks we can live in peace, with dignity, and respect. Beauty of existence is in its diversity.  Imagine; if you have a world painted all green.  Then, the green color will go unnoticed.

Kakoo How did you find my Family ;0)

How did you guess my family affiliations Abarmand Jan ;0)

Good points I agree with you on this.

Live and let live

Abarmard aqa

Well put - that is the key indeed. We will have democracy when we adopt a more tolerant attitude toward the views of others. More democracy at home makes more democracy in government.

Peace! 

well said Abarmard

Unfortunately even some of our smartest intellectuals are not tolerant enough to hear a different point of view and they quickly shove people into different categories and dismiss the ones who might have once disagreed with them, as "the enemy".

we've got long ways to go...

IRANdokht

PS: don't remember who said it, but I like the quote: if you keep your mind open, great ideas might fall into it! and this blog was a great idea :0)