Dr. Sina*
In some Iranian Christian circles, individuals claim that Christians should not interfere in politics or be members of political parties.
Instead of debating the correctness or incorrectness of this view, the right approach is to critique it.
First, it is necessary to examine the meaning of politics and being political.
If politics is viewed as a profession, it becomes a personal matter in which individuals, based on their talents and personal calling, are free to choose whether to pursue it or not.
However, if politics is seen as a responsibility toward society and its issues, one cannot evade this duty by simply claiming, “I am not political.” Perhaps, in this context, it would be more appropriate to use the term “activism” instead of “politics.”
Individuals, based on the concept of activism, are responsible for their own issues, as well as those of their family and society. Just as Jesus Christ and His disciples were activists, their actions taught us, as followers and claimants of Christianity, not to be passive or indifferent toward the issues of our society.
When Jesus Christ cleansed His Father’s temple of merchants and others, He was engaging in activism. Likewise, when He exposed the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Sadducees through His teachings, He was also engaging in activism.
When Paul stood before various courts and defended Christianity, it was also an example of activism.
Now, as Iranian Christians, in the face of over forty years of oppression and injustice inflicted upon individuals and society by the occupying Islamic Republic, can we remain silent and do nothing? Should we not be the voice of the Iranian people?
Is silence aligned with the spirit of Christianity? When Christ commands us to love our brothers, does turning a blind eye, refusing to listen, and failing to act against the ongoing oppression in our country, the livelihood struggles of our fellow citizens, and other injustices truly reflect Christian love?
According to the teachings of Christ, is our duty only to pray for Iran? If that were the case, Christ and His disciples would have sat in a corner and prayed for the people, rather than teaching and actively engaging in society and communities!
If we remain silent in the face of oppression, there is no difference between us and the corrupt and criminal agents of the regime—those who have caused great harm to Iran and the Iranian people over these decades. Our silence will be a factor in sustaining this regime, and this is completely in contradiction with the spirit of Christianity and the message of freedom.
Attention to the following rightful demands indicates that no individual claiming to be a Christian can remain passive and consider themselves not an activist.
A Christian activist must:
- Be a strong voice for the needs, concerns, and rights of Christians in local and global forums.
- Work for the right to choose religion, promote human rights in Iran, especially regarding issues such as equality before the law, persecution, discrimination, and the marginalization of the people.
- Take a stance against systemic and structural injustices in the country, fight against poverty and discrimination, support the rights of marginalized groups, and work for equal opportunities for all individuals and communities.
- Work to create an appropriate structure in society, promote social behaviors rooted in love, compassion, and Christian justice, foster a culture of respect, and strive to expand a society based on justice and empathy.
These matters are part of activism, which is the duty of all people, especially Christians. If someone does not believe in these principles, it can be said that they are afflicted with political illiteracy and a lack of awareness of the principles of Christianity.
It is worth referencing a quote by Bertolt Brecht here: “A political illiterate is deaf and blind, lacking political understanding, and does not know that the costs of living, such as the price of bread, housing, medicine, and so on, are all dependent on political decisions.”
In the end, if you do not want to be a politician, that’s fine; in a free society, everyone is free to pursue their own interests. However, at the very least, have the mindset and actions of an activist, and do not remain indifferent or neutral to the issues of society. Indifference itself is a form of aiding the oppressor and contributes to the persistence of oppression in Iran, and this behavior contradicts Christian faith.
*Cosmetic doctor, cultural and social activist