Antisemitism, Part VII: The New Fissionable Old ‎ In this episode, we delve into the complex and nuanced world of antisemitism and ‎its various dimensions. We explore how current opposition to Zionism often stems ‎not from an understanding of what Zionism truly represents but from accusations ‎and misrepresentations. We discuss how historical and political contexts, such as the ‎influence of Soviet politics and the shifting ideological landscapes, have shaped ‎views on Zionism. Additionally,...

Antisemitism VI: Modern Arab Antisemitism and Its Islamo-Iranian Roots In this episode, we explored the evolution of antisemitism from its historical roots to ‎its modern manifestations. We discussed how the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and ‎subsequent geopolitical shifts have shaped antisemitic narratives in the Middle East, ‎highlighting Iran's influence in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq. We examined how ‎fundamentalist groups and political movements have used antisemitism to further ‎their...

Antisemitism, Part V: Jews of Islam: Dhimmis Summary:‎ In this episode, I explored the intricate history of Jews living in lands dominated by ‎Islam. Beginning with the support of Nazi ideology by the grand mufti of Jerusalem ‎in the early 20th century, I examined how this alignment led to a toxic blend of ‎antisemitism fueled by both Nazi propaganda and radical Islamic interpretations. We ‎delved into Sayyid Qutb's ideological foundation for modern Islamic ‎fundamentalism and its enduring...

Antisemitism: Part IV: Arab Antisemitism vs. Christian Antisemitism: Intro Summary:‎ In today's episode, we explored the relationship between Jews and Muslims ‎throughout history, particularly under traditional Islamic rule. We discussed how ‎Jews, while being second-class citizens, were granted certain rights and protections ‎that allowed them to coexist with their Muslim neighbors. We also touched on the ‎fact that, unlike Christianity, Islam didn't see Judaism as a significant rival, which...

Antisemitism, Part III: Roots and Evolution Summary:‎ In this episode, we explore the complex evolution of anti-Zionism within the ‎Western left, tracing its origins from the radical movements of the 1960s to its ‎current manifestations. We examine how anti-Zionist rhetoric, once rooted in ‎Marxist ideology and a pro-Jewish stance, has shifted towards a more virulent form ‎that often blurs the line with antisemitism. This episode also delves into the ways in ‎which contemporary leftist...

Antisemitism: Part II: Cultural and Social Dimensions Summary:‎ In this episode, we explored the complex relationship between antisemitic thought ‎and action, challenging the notion that antisemitic beliefs inevitably lead to hostile ‎behavior. Through historical examples, we examined how figures like Adolf ‎Eichmann and Adolf Hitler were driven by different motivations—whether personal ‎ambition or deep-seated hatred—and how their actions were shaped by broader ‎social, political, and...

Antisemitism: Part I: An Introduction ‎ In this episode, we delved into the nuanced and often paradoxical role of ‎antisemitism throughout history. We examined the interplay between personal ‎responsibility and broader historical forces, highlighting the challenges historians ‎face when reconciling moral judgments with objective analysis. We discussed key ‎figures like Hitler and Eichmann, and their roles in the Holocaust, questioning how ‎deeply antisemitic beliefs influence actions. This...

Atheism, Part VII: No God, What Now? The Final Reckoning As we reflect on atheism, several key insights emerge when we trace its history. First, atheism's roots are deeply entwined with the rise of rationalism, beginning in Ancient Greece and finding momentum in the Enlightenment. This progression is part of humanity's broader journey, where superstition gradually gives way to rational understanding, and we learn to navigate life within the natural world, free from the illusions of the...

Atheism, Part VI: Raison d'être Summary In today's episode, we explored the idea that life can be profoundly meaningful, even ‎without belief in an afterlife or a higher power. We discussed how pleasure, while ‎enjoyable, isn't the sole key to a fulfilling life. Instead, meaning comes from how we ‎live, how we engage with the world, and how we find purpose in the everyday ‎moments of our lives.‎ Keywords:‎ ‎#Brotherhood; #Health; #Family; #Greetings; #Contact; #Documents; #Patience;...

This episode explores the notion that morality hinges on personal commitment and ‎responsibility, even when there's disagreement about basic principles like whether ‎pain is bad. It asserts that standing up for one's values is not tyrannical and that ‎recognizing good and bad consequences is a strong foundation for a secular morality, ‎despite issues with consequentialist thinking.‎ The episode delves into universalizability—the idea that if something is bad for one ‎person, it's bad for...

Atheism, Part IV: Morality Beyond Religion In this episode, I explore the complexities of morality without relying on religious ‎belief. We've seen that morality can arise from our shared humanity and empathy, ‎making it both personal and significant. In upcoming episodes, we'll dive deeper ‎into moral thinking and explore Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics within the ‎framework of atheism. Keywords: #Morality; #Atheism; #Ethics; #Empathy; #Philosophy; #MoralChoices; #Humanity;...

Atheism, Part III: Reason and the Quest for Meaning The episode III on Atheism explores the differences between atheism and religious ‎belief, focusing on the nature of faith and reason. It argues that atheism is not a faith ‎position but rather a stance based on evidence and reason. Religious beliefs, by ‎contrast, often require faith in the absence of, or even contrary to, evidence. The ‎discussion critiques the idea that atheism and religious belief are equivalent, ‎highlighting that...

A Case for Atheism: Realism, Evidence, and Common Misconceptions This episode explores atheism from a positive, realistic perspective, challenging the ‎misconception that atheism is inherently negative or solely a reaction to theism. The ‎focus is on the importance of realism in atheism—acknowledging the harsh realities ‎of life without relying on comforting myths or superstition. While atheism doesn’t ‎guarantee happiness, it’s grounded in a commitment to facing the world as it truly is,...

Atheism Unveiled: Finding Harmony in Disagreement: Part I. When we talk about the existence of God, we’re diving into some deep questions: Does such an entity exist? If so, what is this deity like, and what impact does it have on us as humans? In the Western world, when we refer to someone who follows the God of Abraham—whether they are Jewish, Christian, or Muslim—we call them a theist. This term comes from the Greek word for god, theos. Technically, it could refer to anyone who believes...

Ethno-Religious and Linguistic Minorities in Iran, Part I: Introduction Iran’s religious landscape is deeply intertwined with its political identity, heavily influenced by Shi’ite Islam. The Iranian constitution recognizes Islam as the official religion, with Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism being the only other faiths granted legal minority status. However, this narrow definition fails to capture the true diversity of the country, leaving significant groups like Sunni Muslims,...

Judeo-Persian and Judeo-Iranian within the Linguistic Mosaic of Iranian Languages In this podcast, I've clarified the distinctions between various Jewish Iranian languages, correcting ‎the common misconception that all such languages can be lumped together as Judeo-Persian. ‎ "Judeo-Persian" specifically refers to Persian varieties written in Hebrew script, while several other ‎unwritten Iranian languages spoken by Jewish communities in Iran fall into different categories. ‎ In this...

Persian, Dari, Tajik: Language Evolution and Varieties The transition from the Sasanian Empire to the Islamic period marked a crucial shift in the Persian language. Following the Arab-Islamic conquest (632-651 CE), Persian evolved into Early New Persian (ENP), spanning from the 8th to the 12th centuries. This period, characterized by gradual linguistic transformation rather than abrupt change, saw Persian shift from Middle Persian (MP) to a form written in Arabic script. Despite these...

In this episode, I dive into the complex world of classifying modern Iranian languages. Understanding the distinction between languages and dialects isn't as straightforward as it seems. Traditionally, linguists use structural similarities and functional criteria to differentiate them, but real-life distinctions often involve factors like ethnic identity, language prestige, standardization, and geographical context. For example, while Persian is seen as the parent language, it shares close...

Iranian Languages and Dialects, Part III: Middle Persian Before you listen to this episode, I encourage you to check my previous episodes on Iranian languages and Dialects, particularly the one on Old Persian, which serve as prerequisites for this part. Middle Iranian refers to various now-extinct Iranian languages spoken from about the 4th century B.C.E. to after the Islamic conquest. These languages include Middle Persian (Pahlavi), Parthian, Bactrian, Chorasmian, Sogdian, and Khotanese....

This conversation features the renowned Iranian-Israeli journalist https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menashe_Amir (Persian: https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B4%D9%87_%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%B1) from Jerusalem. In this discussion, Amir provides valuable insights into Israeli society, the Israeli-Arab conflicts, and shares personal memories and intriguing anecdotes from the early years of his involvement in Israeli society during the late 1950s. The conversation is conducted in Persian.

Iranian Languages and Dialects, Part II: Old Persian This episode delves into the rich history of Old Persian and Middle Iranian epigraphy, exploring the evolution and significance of inscriptions and manuscripts from the pre-Islamic period. We begin by defining inscriptions and manuscripts, noting the materials they were crafted on and their various purposes, from public proclamations to administrative documents. We then examine the classification of inscriptions by size, language, and...

Iranian Languages and Dialects In this episode (originally based on my lecture series on Indo-European Linguistics at the FSU Jena), I present a concise study of modern Iranian dialects, examining their historical development, linguistic features, regional differences, and sociolinguistic roles. The aim is to present these topics clearly for students, language enthusiasts, migrants with language heritage, and anyone curious about languages. I begin by clarifying the complex distinction...

This episode is an excerpt of my lecture on general linguistics at the University of Bern (Switzerland) in 2009. Here are some Key Information: Colonial Lnguistics examines how colonial powers used language for control and the lasting impacts on indigenous languages. This episode covers historical contexts, theoretical foundations, impacts on indigenous languages, identity, postcolonial and decolonial perspectives, and contemporary relevance. European colonial expansion used language as a...

Cyrus Cylinder: A Comparative Approach This lecture is part of my series on Iranian history delivered at the Zoroastrian Cultural Center in California during the summer of 2019. Notes to this Episode: The Cyrus Cylinder is a barrel-shaped baked clay tablet, approximately 10 inches long, engraved in Babylonia in 539 BC. Discovered in the ruins of Babylon in present-day Iraq, the cylinder is inscribed in Akkadian Babylonian cuneiform, detailing Cyrus the Great’s (601-530 BC) conquest of...

This is a reading of Oscar Wilde's masterpiece, "The Happy Prince," which I translated into Persian over 30 years ago while I was an undergraduate student in Shiraz. این خوانشی از شاهکار اسکار وایلد «شاهزاده خوشبخت» است که من بیش از سی سال پیش هنگامی که دانشجوی کارشناسی در شیراز بودم آن را به فارسی ترجمه کردم. امیدوارم از شننیدن آن لذت ببرید، من به شخصه هرگاه که این داستان را می خوانم بی اختیار اشک از چشمانم سرازیر می شود!