Culture vs Religion in Iranians

"His family had been only culturally Islamic, not devout Muslims, but the conversion still upset his father."

More:

http://www.al.com/living/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/living/1188981799316130.xml&coll=2&thispage=2

There is an amazingly strong culture in Iran. Actually it is more akin to a Spirit. But as the above article shows, even educated military in Iran, did not know enough. They ran away.

One of the strange situations we have in Iran, is that unlike other societies, where they had to opt for knowledge of secular politics, to fend off the interference of religion in the society, Iran has its own ancient morality far far older than any of the religions. This Spirit of Nowrooz preserves the idenity of an Iranian, no matter whatever else he or she likes in Life.

It must be said that only under the blatant vulgarity of the Seyyed rulers, has the Nowrooz Spirit become very cherished and dear to all true Iranians. How many Iranians put any younger "holy book" on the haftseen instead of the oldest book of truth, namely the Zend Avesta?

Christians and many other religions, lump everything philosophical or spiritual, under the wings of Zoroastrianism. In fact Iran, just like China or Greece, had plenty, if not more philosophers, but only one remains very distinct above all else, namely Zoroaster or Zarathushtra. Diversity of thought and choice is at the heart of what is called "Gozinesh" in the Zend Avesta. The concept of choice and Free Will existed in the Zend Avesta before anywhere else.

So why are we in this mess? Iran lost all its art and literature because its high priest converted to Christianity, and then created what is now called Islam to prevent proselytizing. Salman Parsi then burnt all of Iran's art and demolished all art meticulously, and said one needed just the Koran. As Cyrus the Great demonstrated, we Iranians tolerate, and do not like proselytizing.

Going back to the article, you can see how people are still proselytizing. They have no idea of the Spiritual roots of Iranian culture. To them old Iran had just a bunch of kings and tough men. Whilst most of the modern attitudes nowadays are to be found in Good Old Iranian culture. Iranians need not to run away, and go to younger religions, that Old Iran had created in the first place.

Perhaps people are converting to Christianity because at least it has some resemblance to our very much more ancient celebrations that it copied, or should I say, plagiarised incorrectly. You need to look at the roots of Christmas, and the Easter, and Thanks Giving, and see that the mimic Yalda, Nowrooz, and Mehregan.