IRAN CONFISCATES BUDDHA STATUES FROM SHOPS

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TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- An Iranian newspaper is reporting that government authorities are confiscating Buddha statues from shops in Tehran to stop the promotion of Buddhism in the country.

Sunday's report by the independent Arman daily quotes Saeed Jaberi Ansari, an official for the protection of Iran's cultural heritage, as saying that authorities will not permit a specific belief to be promoted through such statues.

Ansari called the Buddha statues symbols of "cultural invasion."

He did not elaborate on how many have been confiscated so far, but said more would be seized from shops.

Iran has long fought against items, such as Barbie dolls and Simpsons cartoon characters, to defuse Western influence, but this appears to be the first time that Iranian authorities are showing an opposition to symbols from the East.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_IRAN_BUDDHA_STATUES_?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-02-17-04-23-42

[X Factor 1,112]

What a county

[Danno 1,228]

What a county

Open your eyes, it's not just that country, it is a world-wide trend expressed in different ways.

What do you think the Muslim spring is all about?

Or what is going on in Belgium or across Africa?

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Open your eyes, it's not just that country, it is a world-wide trend expressed in different ways.

What do you think the Muslim spring is all about?

Or what is going on in Belgium or across Africa?

Tell me what the Muslim spring is all about, I'd love to hear your opinion.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Is Budai safe from ban?

[Danno 1,228]

Tell me what the Muslim spring is all about, I'd love to hear your opinion.

Clearly the gravitation is and has been towards a more Muslim awareness.

As one leader said "democracy is the bus that will take us to our destination."

When you consider those areas that have "the vote" you will note who they most often choose.

Seriously, is anyone still waiting for Jeffersonian democracy to break out?

I admit I once did.

[Karee 4,190]

I'd love to hear your opinion.

You drunk?

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

You drunk?

Nope, just wanted to hear his explanation. I give everyone a shot to tell where their position is on any subject I ask about.

[sandinista! 1,816]

Nope, just wanted to hear his explanation. I give everyone a shot to tell where their position is on any subject I ask about.

You're probably better off taking a shot (bourbon, whiskey, what have you)--you'd achieve more clarity than what you're asking for here, given who you asked.

*not that I advocate drinking

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Clearly the gravitation is and has been towards a more Muslim awareness.

As one leader said "democracy is the bus that will take us to our destination."

When you consider those areas that have "the vote" you will note who they most often choose.

Seriously, is anyone still waiting for Jeffersonian democracy to break out?

I admit I once did.

And is that a bad thing? I do believe that any religion taken to the extreme can't be good, but when you make blanket statements like that, it will raise eyebrows.

[Danno 1,228]

And is that a bad thing? I do believe that any religion taken to the extreme can't be good, but when you make blanket statements like that, it will raise eyebrows.

Why should it raise eyebrows?

There is hardly a person here who is more in favor of letting other countries manage their own affairs.

It's not me who claims the Burka is oppressive or that other countries should treat gays as I believe.

Let peoples and countries sort themselves out.

Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up, and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better. This is a most valuable - a most sacred right - a right, which we hope and believe, is to liberate the world.

Abraham Lincoln