Brian Griffith's Blog

As popular religion revived in modern China, it mainly grew from the grassroots up, very commonly led by local women. Their home-brewed versions of Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, or Christianity offered healing, vitality, harmonious relationships, good fortune, goddess worship, spirit mediumship, or inner peace. No doubt most of these “new religions” involved beliefs in afterlives, deities, spirits, and bonds of loyalty. But in general, these religions were less about meeting sets of requirements than pursuing options for better living. If a spiritual practice made for better relationships in this life, then that spiritual journey might continue beyond death. Michael Saso tried to summarize Daoist common sense about mutual loyalty: “The person who is filled with respect and benevolence for others and compassion for all living things, and who lives in close harmony with nature, lives long and is filled with inner peace and blessing.” Perhaps that would describe modern China’s “popular religion,” however much people still believe in authoritarian order and patriotic solidarity. A Galaxy of Immortal Women: The Yin Side of Chinese Civilization

Our book "Mother Persia: Women in Iran's History" (by Zhinia Noorian and Brian Griffith), is now in libraries of 18 countries. Namely, Canada, USA, UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Botswana, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand.

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A vast study by Mohammad Akram Nadwi collected references to female scholars in medieval Islam. He reported, “I thought I’d find maybe twenty or thirty women.” He ended up finding close to 8,000.Mother Persia: Women in Iran's History

“Dramatic and fascinating. Written by a seamless collaboration, Mother Persia inspires as well as educates. It’s also a huge pleasure to read, making it a must for any reader’s library.” – Tod Davies, Editorial Director, Exterminating Angel Press, and author of The History of Arcadia visionary fiction series.

The tobacco revolt set a precedent in several ways. For the first time, women across Persia organized through the social grapevine for a common action. They performed that action regardless of support or opposition from their husbands or fathers. They defied their ruler, and successfully stood up to a foreign colonial superpower. And they did all this almost entirely without violence, through the power of peaceful non-cooperation.Mother Persia: Women in Iran's History

The tobacco revolt set a precedent in several ways. For the first time, women across Persia organized through the social grapevine for a common action. They performed that action regardless of support or opposition from their husbands or fathers. They defied their ruler, and successfully stood up to a foreign colonial superpower. And they did all this almost entirely without violence, through the power of peaceful non-cooperation.Mother Persia: Women in Iran's History

Zhinia Noorian and Brian Griffith’s "Mother Persia: Women in Iran’s History" is an eye-opening narrative of the courage and strength of the women of Iran. This commendable work takes us on a wondrous journey in time and place, starting from its ancient history, but with a special focus on contemporary Iran. With simple eloquence, and clear prose, the book captures the incredible resilience and determination of these women, by showing the reader the intricate presence and their triumph in the face of adversity. Griffith and Noorian offer a balanced, captivating, and empowering account of the women of Iran. Overall, "Mother Persia" is an inspiring read on the often-overlooked history of Iranian women and their remarkable achievements. It is a must read for anyone interested in the history of women’s empowerment. – Dr. Negar Davari Ardakani, Associate Professor of Linguistics, Shahid Beheshti University, Iran.

A strong streak of mother worship appears repeatedly in clerical proclamations, such as the following announcement, made in 1946 by mullah Abd al-Karim Faqihi Shirazi:
"The effect of women upon society is greater than that of men, and they are more beneficial to its orderly formation than men because their womanly nature and motherly love can endure any hardship … So that the Arabs would see the value and worth of their girls, the Prophet … would say … 'What I esteem in this world—love and affection—is from the world of women.'” Mother Persia: Women in Iran's History

As she began teaching and attracting disciples, we hear of a group of religious men coming to challenge her. They accused her of presumption, explaining, “All the virtues have been scattered on the heads of men. The crown of prophethood has been placed on men’s heads. The belt of nobility has been fastened around men’s waists. No woman has ever been a prophet.” Rabi’a answered, “All of that is true, but egoism and self-worship and ‘I am your Lord’ have never sprung from a woman’s breast. ... All these things have been the specialty of men.” -- from "Mother Persia," by Zhinia Noorian and Brian Griffith