Religion has been an important factor in the political and social transition of our country. The Iranean history from the ancient time till now has been full of movements formed based on ideology. The Acaemenid dynasty was strengthened by the ideology of Zoroaster school and the Sasanid government heightened the correlation between religion and the government. The Ommayides and the Abbasides caliphs ruled this country for centuries claiming being Muslims and eventually from the safari on, the national governments of this country got kneaded with religion; so that, the Safavid dynasty ruled nearly 200 years depending on the Shiite religion. The Qajar kings made people accept their government using religion and the title of Zellullah [under the auspices of Allah].
Most Iranian contemporary social movements have exploited the religion. However, using the religious interests of people to create changes politically is similar to two-bladed sword; because it can used by the reformists to improve the conditions and it can also used by the colonialists to achieve their ominous aims.
In some cases, the colonialism tries to attack people's beliefs when they are against their interests. For instance, the deviant cult of Baha'ism was innovated and made by the foreign colonialism and interior oppression aiming destroying the Shiite religion principles, Baha'ism tried to prevent this religion's anti-oppression teachings; in order for the religious movements not to be repeated. For this reason, the Pahlavi regime and its English lords supported Baha'ism extremely. And were to use Baha'ism as a means to attack Imam Khomeyni's thoughts.