Dear Marianne, thank you very much for supporting us. I was in many demonstrations in Tehran, beaten and arrested many times... and I know well how precious it is when the world witnesses your pain & suffering & acknowledges your bravery. As you said, “One can only imagine what is going on behind prison walls once protestors are rounded up” if we don’t push/force politicians to take action now, those in prisons will pay a huge price...
As a second generation Holocaust survivor, all the plights of persecuted people are in my heart and as a woman, the plight of all women everywhere speaks to me of the sadness and eternal hope we pray for. Love is what I stand for. Thank you Marianne.
Thanks so much for this piece. As a member of the Baha'i Faith, I have seen only heartache for my Faith Kindred, knowing it has been thus for over 160 years-and all for the sake of power being maintained by a select few. It is time for women to completely claim their just places as full members of the human race-and for religious minorities to be likewise seen as full members of each nation's community.
The Baha'i Faith is wonderful in so many ways, Gary. I discovered and participated in it back in the 1970's.........until I discovered that they, too, are patriarchal, forbidding women from ever becoming the Baja ullah (sp?) From that time on, I began to wander in my studies and ultimately concluded that we each contain God within and are an actual part of divinity while religions reflect their founder's 'truth' rather than 'Truth'. My belief is that we will all come to see that we are all a part of each other and the race, political, religious, gender barriers will be no more.
Baha'u'llah was the Founder of the Baha'i faith, so no one, male or female, is "The Baha'u'llah". I believe you are referring to women not being elected to the nine-member Universal House of Justice, which is chosen by the majority of members of the world's National Spiritual Assemblies (which are comprised of men and women alike). It is also anticipated that only women will be chosen to serve on an International Council of Peace, whose role will be complementary to that of the Universal House. So there will be plenty for all adults to do, in the time of the Most Great Peace. That is the term used by Baha'u'llah (Arabic for "The Glory of God"), to describe precisely the state of affairs to which you allude in your last sentence. Finally, Baha'u'llah teaches that each individual is responsible for his/her own investigation of truth, so I would say you are on track.
Thank you for your reply and clarification, Gary! And you're right ... I was referring to the Baha'i "only men" rule tho it was so long ago, I didn't remember which office or council prohibited women. I still think that any belief system, religion, or agency that bans women is not good nor is it of God. To me, it isn't about having plenty for all adults to do; it is that no adult should be barred from doing anything on the basis of gender alone. I do believe the world is moving inexorably in the direction of true spirituality, true equality as the heart rather than the brain becomes central to belief and action. Again, thank you for taking the time to respond, for the gentle corrections to my errors, and for sharing more about the Baha'i faith.
Honestly I don't care. I'm 32 years sober. Deeply & meaningfully sober and spiritually connected. And yet living in abusive housing for homeless veterans in Mass, I am the one with the suicidal thoughts. I am the one that shakes in fear because of the untreated white male abusers I live with. And the organization does nothing. Even when I contacted our female congresswoman. Nothing. You see I have lived my whole life except for that year on Okinawa in the US. Let me be clear. The US is one of the worst human rights violators on the planet. I just pray that you all are safer than I am.
I feel like I need a human rights lawyer. And as Luise has stated I need to just leave. But am afraid to do so until the truth has been outed in a court room for fear of it all following me without resolution into my next living space. I wanted to apologize. I do care. Deeply for all human beings. Thank you for reaching out.
Dear Scott, please leave this home. Trust yourself and God to find a safe home for you. It takes all the courage you can summon but when you leave you will see that God gave you freewill and once you chose to leave all the support you need will be there. Pray in this way, Lord please help me in every way you can, I give thanks that it now manifests under grace and in a perfect way, Amen. You will be released from this hell you are living in then. With love from a fellow traveller.
Wonderful writing ... The Iranian people are struggling with a regime that we in the US helped to create ... So we bear some the responsibility for this ... Thank You for your prayers and your support!
Powerful and inspirational message by Banafsheh Sayyad. Thank you Marianne for sharing this with us. It is indeed time to wake up and see what's going on in the world. To set our souls free and leave behind the old models of living & leading! And hold the intention for a new quantum humanity and a world that works for all!
I had a dear friend that I met in college in New York and then renewed friendship with 20 years later here in Arizona. He was a medal winner in the 1960 Olympics as a Greco-Roman wrestler representing his native country that he called Persia. Both of us had become members of a 12 Step Program, un beknownst to each other, in the same year. He began translating A.A. literature from English to Parsee, the official language of Iran for the rest of his life. He had great respect for President Mossadeq.
Thank you for sharing and keeping those suffering the unimaginable in our consciousness. I see this rising of the Iranian women as a sign that the planet is experiencing the shift back to the Divine Mother. Birthing can be painful. I bow down to these courageous women and pray that the correction to this horror happens swiftly. Prayer is the medium of miracles. God bless them.
Thank you Marianne. Reading the comments here I had no idea what was happening in some parts of our world and the cruelty is beyond horrible. Prayers that this is the big quantum shift to healing our world of these atrocities.
Marianne, this is a heartbreak. I wonder too what my life would have been like if I was raised in another country or another time and under different circumstances. My family came to this country as refugees of a little talked about genocide of over 1.5 million people. The heartbreak crushing my soul in this moment is that last week when this terrible incident occurred to Mahsa Amini, another horrific incident happened to a young woman and the world is turning a blind eye, to her and to the genocide that is happening again. Her name was Anush. Anush was caught, gang raped, her entire body cut up, had stones put where her eyes once were and a cut off finger was put in her mouth. This was all videotaped and shared on Youtube by the Azeri perpetrators. Did you know that the Azeri's have a CURRICULUM in their schools that teaches children to HATE Armenians. I am a school librarian and the thought of sanctioning this type of literature for children is frightening beyond measure. They also have a theme park where a person can choke an effigy of an Armenian. The oil that Azerbaijan provides is what is keeping America quiet about what is happening there and has been happening since 2020 when NATO's Turkey along with Azerbaijan, attacked an enclave of Armenia using cluster bombs, white phosphorous and drones on civilians and churches, markets and hospitals, bringing jihadist mercenaries (who were paid $100 more if they beheaded their captives) to the small Democratic, Christian country of a mere 3 million people. A generation of young men were sacrificed protecting their families, their homes. No one came to help. No one is coming now. The world (other than France) is turning their heads aside. Why is it that Armenian lives are expendable? Armenian men, women and children's lives don't matter in this geopolitical chess game. It pains Armenian Americans beyond measure that there is no mention in the media despite our raising our voices and working with our representatives. Please, Marianne, won't you use your voice? Will you help by using your platform. The ancient country of my family is facing annihilation.
Lor, may the One Creator help you and other American Armenians to get the word out. I am shocked and saddened that this is happening to Armenian people. Media must be so controlled by their masters to ignore such crimes.
My heart is breaking for these brave women. Who will organize a solidarity Women's March to stand with them as they did across the globe for us in January, 2017? I will join in, but I just can't be the organizer....have I missed the call to action?
Dear Marianne, thank you very much for supporting us. I was in many demonstrations in Tehran, beaten and arrested many times... and I know well how precious it is when the world witnesses your pain & suffering & acknowledges your bravery. As you said, “One can only imagine what is going on behind prison walls once protestors are rounded up” if we don’t push/force politicians to take action now, those in prisons will pay a huge price...
Please keep us in your thoughts & prayers 💖
As a second generation Holocaust survivor, all the plights of persecuted people are in my heart and as a woman, the plight of all women everywhere speaks to me of the sadness and eternal hope we pray for. Love is what I stand for. Thank you Marianne.
Thanks so much for this piece. As a member of the Baha'i Faith, I have seen only heartache for my Faith Kindred, knowing it has been thus for over 160 years-and all for the sake of power being maintained by a select few. It is time for women to completely claim their just places as full members of the human race-and for religious minorities to be likewise seen as full members of each nation's community.
The Baha'i Faith is wonderful in so many ways, Gary. I discovered and participated in it back in the 1970's.........until I discovered that they, too, are patriarchal, forbidding women from ever becoming the Baja ullah (sp?) From that time on, I began to wander in my studies and ultimately concluded that we each contain God within and are an actual part of divinity while religions reflect their founder's 'truth' rather than 'Truth'. My belief is that we will all come to see that we are all a part of each other and the race, political, religious, gender barriers will be no more.
Baha'u'llah was the Founder of the Baha'i faith, so no one, male or female, is "The Baha'u'llah". I believe you are referring to women not being elected to the nine-member Universal House of Justice, which is chosen by the majority of members of the world's National Spiritual Assemblies (which are comprised of men and women alike). It is also anticipated that only women will be chosen to serve on an International Council of Peace, whose role will be complementary to that of the Universal House. So there will be plenty for all adults to do, in the time of the Most Great Peace. That is the term used by Baha'u'llah (Arabic for "The Glory of God"), to describe precisely the state of affairs to which you allude in your last sentence. Finally, Baha'u'llah teaches that each individual is responsible for his/her own investigation of truth, so I would say you are on track.
Thank you for your reply and clarification, Gary! And you're right ... I was referring to the Baha'i "only men" rule tho it was so long ago, I didn't remember which office or council prohibited women. I still think that any belief system, religion, or agency that bans women is not good nor is it of God. To me, it isn't about having plenty for all adults to do; it is that no adult should be barred from doing anything on the basis of gender alone. I do believe the world is moving inexorably in the direction of true spirituality, true equality as the heart rather than the brain becomes central to belief and action. Again, thank you for taking the time to respond, for the gentle corrections to my errors, and for sharing more about the Baha'i faith.
Only when we see what’s happening can we arouse compassion and right action. Thank you again for your good work and thinking, sharing, bravado.
Honestly I don't care. I'm 32 years sober. Deeply & meaningfully sober and spiritually connected. And yet living in abusive housing for homeless veterans in Mass, I am the one with the suicidal thoughts. I am the one that shakes in fear because of the untreated white male abusers I live with. And the organization does nothing. Even when I contacted our female congresswoman. Nothing. You see I have lived my whole life except for that year on Okinawa in the US. Let me be clear. The US is one of the worst human rights violators on the planet. I just pray that you all are safer than I am.
I'm so sorry to read this, Scott. Is there anything we can do to help you?
I feel like I need a human rights lawyer. And as Luise has stated I need to just leave. But am afraid to do so until the truth has been outed in a court room for fear of it all following me without resolution into my next living space. I wanted to apologize. I do care. Deeply for all human beings. Thank you for reaching out.
Dear Scott, please leave this home. Trust yourself and God to find a safe home for you. It takes all the courage you can summon but when you leave you will see that God gave you freewill and once you chose to leave all the support you need will be there. Pray in this way, Lord please help me in every way you can, I give thanks that it now manifests under grace and in a perfect way, Amen. You will be released from this hell you are living in then. With love from a fellow traveller.
Thank you for your wonderful words Luise.
Thank you for your work in publicizing this series of events.
Wonderful writing ... The Iranian people are struggling with a regime that we in the US helped to create ... So we bear some the responsibility for this ... Thank You for your prayers and your support!
Powerful and inspirational message by Banafsheh Sayyad. Thank you Marianne for sharing this with us. It is indeed time to wake up and see what's going on in the world. To set our souls free and leave behind the old models of living & leading! And hold the intention for a new quantum humanity and a world that works for all!
I had a dear friend that I met in college in New York and then renewed friendship with 20 years later here in Arizona. He was a medal winner in the 1960 Olympics as a Greco-Roman wrestler representing his native country that he called Persia. Both of us had become members of a 12 Step Program, un beknownst to each other, in the same year. He began translating A.A. literature from English to Parsee, the official language of Iran for the rest of his life. He had great respect for President Mossadeq.
Thank you for sharing and keeping those suffering the unimaginable in our consciousness. I see this rising of the Iranian women as a sign that the planet is experiencing the shift back to the Divine Mother. Birthing can be painful. I bow down to these courageous women and pray that the correction to this horror happens swiftly. Prayer is the medium of miracles. God bless them.
Thank you Marianne. Reading the comments here I had no idea what was happening in some parts of our world and the cruelty is beyond horrible. Prayers that this is the big quantum shift to healing our world of these atrocities.
Marianne, this is a heartbreak. I wonder too what my life would have been like if I was raised in another country or another time and under different circumstances. My family came to this country as refugees of a little talked about genocide of over 1.5 million people. The heartbreak crushing my soul in this moment is that last week when this terrible incident occurred to Mahsa Amini, another horrific incident happened to a young woman and the world is turning a blind eye, to her and to the genocide that is happening again. Her name was Anush. Anush was caught, gang raped, her entire body cut up, had stones put where her eyes once were and a cut off finger was put in her mouth. This was all videotaped and shared on Youtube by the Azeri perpetrators. Did you know that the Azeri's have a CURRICULUM in their schools that teaches children to HATE Armenians. I am a school librarian and the thought of sanctioning this type of literature for children is frightening beyond measure. They also have a theme park where a person can choke an effigy of an Armenian. The oil that Azerbaijan provides is what is keeping America quiet about what is happening there and has been happening since 2020 when NATO's Turkey along with Azerbaijan, attacked an enclave of Armenia using cluster bombs, white phosphorous and drones on civilians and churches, markets and hospitals, bringing jihadist mercenaries (who were paid $100 more if they beheaded their captives) to the small Democratic, Christian country of a mere 3 million people. A generation of young men were sacrificed protecting their families, their homes. No one came to help. No one is coming now. The world (other than France) is turning their heads aside. Why is it that Armenian lives are expendable? Armenian men, women and children's lives don't matter in this geopolitical chess game. It pains Armenian Americans beyond measure that there is no mention in the media despite our raising our voices and working with our representatives. Please, Marianne, won't you use your voice? Will you help by using your platform. The ancient country of my family is facing annihilation.
Lor, may the One Creator help you and other American Armenians to get the word out. I am shocked and saddened that this is happening to Armenian people. Media must be so controlled by their masters to ignore such crimes.
Marianne will continue to use her voice!! The Kardashian Family is Armenian maybe they can use their voices to help the their own.
Powerful words with history we all should know about.
The US needs to investigate its Muslim communities...child brides, and mistreatment here...
My heart is breaking for these brave women. Who will organize a solidarity Women's March to stand with them as they did across the globe for us in January, 2017? I will join in, but I just can't be the organizer....have I missed the call to action?
Look into that 2017...not as thought...women wearing pussy hats, headed by ?...ck it out!
Welcome Scott.