Can Persian people be Christian?
There are hundreds of thousands of Christians in Iran. Those considered part of the native Christian communities are permitted to practice their religion with restrictions, but a Muslim converting to Christianity is considered an apostate. The Iranian government jails converts, especially those who proselytize.
What was the official religion of Persia?
By 650 BCE, the Zoroastrian faith, a monotheistic religion founded on the ideas of the philosopher Zoroaster, had become the official religion of ancient Persia.
Was Persia an Islamic empire?
Many people think of Persia as synonymous with Islam, though Islam only became the dominant religion in the Persian Empire after the Arab conquests of the seventh century. The first Persian Empire was shaped by a different religion: Zoroastrianism.
Do Persian speak Arabic?
Persians speak Persian ( also known as Farsi). However country of Iran, which is majority Persian otherwise, has some native Arab speakers. Native Arabic speakers are 2 to 3 \% of Iran’s population. Some Iranians (especially clergy) learn Arabic, as a second language for religious reasons.
Is Christianity the official religion of Persia?
No. Persia was never a Christian country. Besides, the country is at least 2000 years older than Christianity. During the Achaemenid and Sassanian dynasties, Zoroastrianism was the state/administration religion, although little evidence of its popularity amongst masses exists.
What is the history of Christianity in Iran?
According to the Acts of the Apostles there were Persians, Parthians and Medes among the first new Christian converts at Pentecost. Since then there has been a continuous presence of Christians in Iran . During the apostolic age Christianity began to establish itself throughout the Mediterranean.
How did the Islamic conquest of Persia affect the Christians?
The Arab Islamic conquest of Persia, in the 7th century, originally benefited Christians as they were a protected minority under Islam. However, from about the 10th century religious tension led to persecution once more. The influence of European Christians placed Near Eastern Christians in peril during the Crusades.
What was the official religion of Iran during the Achaemenid Empire?
During the Achaemenid and Sassanian dynasties, Zoroastrianism was the state/administration religion, although little evidence of its popularity amongst masses exists. There have been literally hundreds of religions practiced in various parts of Iran until Islam unified the majority.
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