How true is this? In civilizations past such as the Romans you could cut off the heads like the emperor and it would be unchanged for millions. In china when the communists defeated the Manchus, some villagers were amazed these people defeated what they thought was the Ming dynasty.

Khomeini was killed, Trump isn't president anymore and Iran's military and the right haven't died. In tech, Bell Labs is 'demonopolized' yet it's parts have become stronger.

I disagree that the it dies with true believers. It decays and reforms and even gets stronger.