Between Faith and Identity by Marianne Rothmann
In recent years, conversations about religion in Iran have become more layered and complex. While Islam remains deeply rooted in the country’s culture and daily life, I have also noticed a growing curiosity—especially among some younger Iranians—about pre-Islamic traditions, including Zoroastrianism. What I have observed is often described as a “return,” but to me it feels less like a return to a religion and more like a search for identity, history, and personal meaning.
Through time, I have met many Iranians from different walks of life. Something I heard repeatedly stayed with me. Many would simply say, “I am not Muslim.” I often found myself wondering why I was hearing this so often, especially given how closely religion is connected to public life and identity. That question stayed with me over time, and it became part of what led me to reflect more deeply and eventually write this article.
A key factor in this shift, from my perspective, is the close connection between religion and governance since the Iranian Revolution. When religion becomes part of political structure and daily regulation, it can begin to feel less like a personal belief and more like an imposed identity. I believe that for some people, this creates distance—not necessarily from faith itself, but from how faith is experienced in practice.
Zoroastrianism, with its ancient roots in Persian history, often appears in these conversations as something meaningful to reconnect with. Its ethical simplicity—summarized in “good thoughts, good words, good deeds”—resonates with people who are searching for clarity in how they live and understand morality. From my perspective, this is not always about fully adopting a religion, but about reconnecting with something that feels historically and culturally familiar.
Cultural traditions also play an important role in this reflection. Celebrations such as Nowruz are still widely observed across Iran, regardless of religious identity. To me, this highlights that identity is never shaped by one dimension alone. It is carried through history, culture, memory, and shared human experience.
It is also important to me to emphasize that what I am observing is not necessarily a complete rejection of Islam. Many Iranians remain deeply connected to their faith, while others are rethinking how belief fits into their personal lives. I see this as a spectrum rather than a division.
When I reflect on what I have heard and witnessed, I do not see a simple shift away from religion. I see questions about identity, freedom, and belonging. I see people trying to understand where they come from and how they want to define themselves today. And I see that belief—whether religious, cultural, or personal—is often more fluid than it appears on the surface.
For me, this reflection is not about making conclusions for others. It is about understanding what I have observed, and why it stayed with me. It is a reminder that identity is not static, and that people continue to shape it through experience, memory, and choice.
