Cleric blames earthquakes on immodest women
Throughout history, supernatural causes have often been used to explain the occurrence of natural disasters. These days, however, religious figures and political pundits seem to be grabbing at straws. Take the following example: An Iranian cleric, Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi, was quoted by Iranian media today connecting the frequency of earthquakes with the aggregate modesty of ...
Throughout history, supernatural causes have often been used to explain the occurrence of natural disasters. These days, however, religious figures and political pundits seem to be grabbing at straws. Take the following example:
Throughout history, supernatural causes have often been used to explain the occurrence of natural disasters. These days, however, religious figures and political pundits seem to be grabbing at straws. Take the following example:
An Iranian cleric, Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi, was quoted by Iranian media today connecting the frequency of earthquakes with the aggregate modesty of Iranian women’s garb. According to Sedighi, flirting with men, wearing a tight shirt or neglecting your head scarf is the principal cause behind tectonic shifts. "Many women who do not dress modestly … lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society, which (consequently) increases earthquakes." I think he may have just stumbled upon the perfect evil plot for the next James Bond movie.
Then again, he doesn’t look so nutty when you compare him to Rush Limbaugh’s comment that the volcanic eruption in Iceland is God’s reaction to the passage of healthcare reform. On the bright side, now that we know that God punishes Europe for our satanic legislation, we can pass all the reform we like… God sure does work in mysterious ways.
More from Foreign Policy

A New Multilateralism
How the United States can rejuvenate the global institutions it created.

America Prepares for a Pacific War With China It Doesn’t Want
Embedded with U.S. forces in the Pacific, I saw the dilemmas of deterrence firsthand.

The Endless Frustration of Chinese Diplomacy
Beijing’s representatives are always scared they could be the next to vanish.

The End of America’s Middle East
The region’s four major countries have all forfeited Washington’s trust.