Why Iranians Must Embrace Christianity to Truly Break Free from Islamic and Tribal Bondage
By Bobby Darvish – Iranian-American Exile, Ex-Muslim, Christian
After escaping the hellish grip of the Islamic Republic of Iran, many Iranians know firsthand the evil that Islam—especially its Shia variant—has inflicted on our homeland. The Islamic regime in Tehran is not just a political tyranny, but a deeply religious one, rooted in the supremacist and imperialist ideology of Arab Islam. Yet tragically, even among those who leave Iran, and even among those who leave Islam, there remains a lingering tribal pride and misplaced nostalgia that keeps them from embracing the only path to true liberation: Christianity.
Far too many Iranians become “Jack Muslims”—they drop the mosque but keep the label. They criticize the regime, they loathe the clerics, but they still cling to the cultural identity of Islam, not because of faith but because of pride and misplaced nationalism. For these people, Islam—particularly the Shia and Sufi flavors—is seen as somehow “Iranianized.” They see Christianity as “foreign” and “Western,” despite the truth that Christianity, like Zoroastrianism, has deeper and more authentic roots in Persian history than Islam ever will.
The False Tribalism of Zoroastrian-Muslim Identity
Much of this spiritual confusion comes from a twisted tribalism that falsely sees Zoroastrianism and Shi’ism as two pillars of “Iranian” identity. But this is a shallow and misinformed understanding. First, modern Iranians trying to “convert” to Zoroastrianism often do not realize that Zoroastrianism is not a missionary or convert-accepting religion. Traditional Zoroastrians do not accept converts, especially if they have married outside of the Aryan (Iranian) bloodline. Most who claim to “return” to Zoroastrianism are practicing a Western-influenced neo-Zoroastrianism that has no connection to the traditional Zoroastrian priesthood or rituals.
Even worse, Zoroastrianism itself is deeply legalistic—perhaps even more so than Judaism and Islam combined. There are numerous purification laws, rigid social rules, and hierarchies that govern everything from birth to death. Very few modern Iranians have the willingness or understanding to follow such a demanding system. It becomes little more than a badge of tribal pride and rebellion rather than a sincere spiritual path.
Christianity: The Forgotten Persian Faith
Christianity, by contrast, is the most accessible, universal, and forgiving religion available to any Iranian seeking truth and freedom. It does not require a priesthood, it does not enforce ethnic boundaries, and it offers salvation not through works, rituals, or law—but through faith in Jesus Christ.
Even during the Sassanid Empire, Christianity had spread deep into Persia. Why do you think the Zoroastrian Magi and royal families persecuted Christians? Because it was a growing force in Iran long before Islam was born. In fact, many Christian saints were Persian by birth. Saint Abda of Kashkar, Saint Mari, Saint Hormizd, and Saint James Intercisus were all Persian Christians. Iran once had one of the oldest Christian communities in the world before being wiped out by Islamic invasions and centuries of dhimmitude.
Despite this, modern Iranians mock Christianity. They call it weak, naive, or Western. This attitude is not rational—it is the residue of centuries of forced Islamic indoctrination and false tribalism.
Persian Saints in the Orthodox and Catholic Churches
1. Saint Anastasius the Persian
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A former Zoroastrian soldier who converted to Christianity and was martyred in 628.
2. Saint James (Jacob) the Persian
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Known as "the Sawn-Asunder" for his martyrdom by dismemberment under King Shapur II.New Advent+3Orthodox Church in America+3Catholic Online+3
3. Saint Akepsimas the Bishop, Joseph the Presbyter, and Aeithalas the Deacon
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Leaders of the Christian Church in Persia, martyred under King Shapur II.Orthodox Church in America+16Orthodox Church in America+16Catholic Online+16
4. Saint Benjamin the Deacon
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A deacon who suffered martyrdom for his evangelistic efforts in Persia.
5. Saint Abdas of Susa
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A bishop who was martyred after destroying a Zoroastrian fire temple.
6. Saint Simeon bar Sabbae
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A bishop who was martyred under King Shapur II for refusing to worship the sun.Wikipedia+2Catholic Online+2Orthodox Church in America+2
7. Saint Abdon and Saint Sennen
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Persian nobles who were taken to Rome and martyred for their Christian faith.Wikipedia
8. Saint Mīlos (or Milēs) the Wonderworker and his Disciples
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A bishop known for miracles, martyred along with his disciples in 341.Orthodox Church in America+1Orthodox Church in America+1
9. Saint Ia and 9,000 Martyrs
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Saint Ia was arrested along with 9,000 Christians and martyred under King Shapur II.Wikipedia+2Orthodox Church in America+2Catholic Online+2
10. Saint Memelchtha of Persia
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A former pagan priestess who converted to Christianity and was martyred in 344.Orthodox Church in America
11. Saint Sadoc (Sadoth) and 128 Martyrs
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A bishop and his companions who were martyred for their faith.
12. Saint Nerses and Companions
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Bishop Nerses and his companions were martyred under King Shapur II.
13. Saint Dadas, Gabdelas, and Kazdoa
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Martyrs who suffered under the Persian emperor Sapor.Orthodox Church in America+17Orthodox Church in America+17orthodoxmonasteryicons.com+17
14. Saint Ananias of Persia
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A martyr who, during his torture, had a vision of a ladder leading to heaven.Orthodox Church in America
15. Saint Abrosima
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A Persian saint recognized in both traditions.
16. Saint Abraham of Bet-Parsaje
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A layperson martyred in 339.GCatholic+1Wikipedia+1
17. Saint Barsabias
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An abbot martyred in 342.
18. Saint Isaac of Persia
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A priest martyred in 344.
19. Saint John of Persia
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A bishop martyred in 344.
20. Saint Bohtiso of Persia
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A layperson martyred in the 3rd century.
A Spiritual Revolution is Already Happening
But there is hope. In Iran today, a spiritual revolution is quietly unfolding. Over 5 million Iranians have converted to evangelical Christianity in the past few decades. The underground church is thriving. More than 50,000 out of 70,000 mosques have shut down due to lack of attendance. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a sign that the heart of Iran is turning.
This movement could change everything: Iran’s politics, its economy, its international relations, and—most importantly—its soul. Christianity offers not only spiritual freedom but also a moral and philosophical foundation for rebuilding Iran as a just, humane, and rational nation.
Conclusion: Only Christ Can Save Iran
As a former Muslim and Iranian exile, I say this with full conviction: Islam—whether Sunni, Shia, or Sufi—will never reform Iran. Zoroastrianism will never reclaim Iran. Only Jesus Christ, the true King, can restore Iran’s soul. Iranians must shed the pride of false tribal religion and embrace the faith that offers true sonship, not slavery. Christianity is not a foreign faith—it is the forgotten inheritance of ancient Persia.
The future of Iran does not lie in Mecca or even in Yazd. It lies at the foot of the Cross.
Citations
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Afshari, Reza. Human Rights in Iran: The Abuse of Cultural Relativism. University of Pennsylvania Press, 2001.
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Bradley, Mark. Too Many to Jail: The Story of Iran’s New Christians. Monarch Books, 2014.
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Soghomonian, Esther. “Why Zoroastrians Don’t Accept Converts.” BBC Persian, 2020. https://www.bbc.com/persian/articles/cpp2pgr3ee2o
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“Iran Has the Fastest Growing Evangelical Church in the World.” Fox News, 2019. https://www.foxnews.com/world/iran-evangelical-church-growth
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“50,000 Mosques Shut Down in Iran Due to Lack of Attendance.” Al Arabiya, 2015. https://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/features/2015/06/18/
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Baum, Wilhelm, and Dietmar W. Winkler. The Church of the East: A Concise History. Routledge, 2003.
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Daniel, Elton L. The History of Iran. Greenwood Press, 2001.
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