The Religions of Iran

Iran continues to be in the headlines, often simplistically portrayed as a monolithic Muslim theocracy bent on evil designs--a view helpfully challenged in this fascinating article.

What typical headlines about Iran ignore, of course, is its complex history and religious culture. Set for release later this fall is a new study of what remains one of the most fascinating if hidden countries in the Middle East, whose complex religious history, especially that of Assyrian and other Eastern Christians, is not well known: Richard Foltz,   Religions of Iran: From Prehistory to the Present (OneWorld Publications, 2013), 368pp. 

About this book we are told:

Although today associated exclusively with Islam, Iran has in fact played an unparalleled role within all the world religions, injecting Iranian ideas into the Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, and Manichaean traditions of the merchants who passed along the Silk Road. This vivid and surprising work explores the manner in which Persian culture has interacted with and transformed each world faith, from the migration of the Israelites to Iran thousands of years ago to the influence of Iranian notions on Mahayana Buddhism and Christianity. Foltz considers Iran's role in shaping the Muslim world, not only in the Middle East but also in South Asia in an evocative and informative journey through the spiritual heritage of an ancient and influential region.

Although today associated exclusively with Islam, Iran has in fact played an unparalleled role within all the world religions, injecting Iranian ideas into the Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, and Manichaean traditions of the merchants who passed along the Silk Road. This vivid and surprising work explores the manner in which Persian culture has interacted with and transformed each world faith, from the migration of the Israelites to Iran thousands of years ago to the influence of Iranian notions on Mahayana Buddhism and Christianity. Foltz considers Iran's role in shaping the Muslim world, not only in the Middle East but also in South Asia in an evocative and informative journey through the spiritual heritage of an ancient and influential region.