New Agers don’t quite fit in with “normative” society but in the West are often perceived as harmless eccentrics who want to share peace and love with all of mankind.
So too in Iran. Except that in the Islamic Republic, New Agers are not regarded as harmless by the ayatollahs. They see them as blasphemers who twist Islam. While the Iranian public seemingly accepts New-Age Shiites, the government decided to crack down, sentencing to death their leader.
- Taheri is an Iranian researcher on alternative medicine.

Mohammed Ali Taheri (Courtesy)
Taheri’s mother appealed for his release in this video: