Christian group welcomes EU's strong stance on Iran apostasy bill
by Ethan Cole, Christian Post
Posted: Thursday, October 2, 2008, 7:27 (BST)
A Christian human rights group has applauded the European Union for issuing a declaration to Iran urging the repressive state to drop its draft apostasy bill and to release Christian converts from detention.
"We warmly welcome this strong reaction from the EU to Iran's proposed apostasy bill," said Christian Solidarity Worldwide's advocacy director, Tina Lambert, in a statement. "If the legislation is passed by the Iranian parliament there will be dire consequences for thousands of Christians and Bahais living in Iran."
Iran's parliament overwhelmingly approved the Islamic Penal Code in September, a bill that would make apostasy punishable by death.
The European Union, in response, released a declaration last Friday that challenged the Iranian parliament to rethink passing the bill into law.
"The European Union urges the Islamic Republic of Iran to reconsider its decision to examine the law in question, release all those who have been imprisoned because of their religious affiliation and allow all its citizens to exercise their freedom of religion or belief in full," read the EU letter.
It also expressed concerns over the arrests of members of religious minorities, including Iranian converts to Christianity and members of the Bahai community. The EU called for their "immediate" and "unconditional" release and the end to all "forms of violence and discrimination against them".
Among the arrested Christian converts are Mahmoud Mohammad Matin-Azad, 53, and Arash Ahmad-Ali Basirat, 40, who have been detained since May 15. Both were charged with apostasy just days before the first stage approval of the bill.
If the apostasy bill does pass, both the converts' lives would be in serious danger.
"The international community must continue to urge the Iranian Government to release all those detained on the basis of their religious affiliation and respect their obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights," CSW's Lambert declared.
"CSW joins the EU in requesting the Iranian parliament to drop this bill without delay."
The bill is to be sent back to the Legislative Commission for amendment before it is returned to Parliament for another vote.
Iran is ranked third in Open Doors' World Watch List for countries with the worst persecution of Christians. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom also lists Iran as a "Country of Particular Concern", a label given to countries with the worst religious freedom abuses.
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Added: Thursday, October 2, 2008, 22:23 (BST)
What do people expect from that 'religion of peace', Islam??
So-called 'moderate' Muslims call themselves that for two reasons -
1) They don't really understand the Qur'an and/or the Hadith. Christian ex-Muslims all seem to say the same thing - that Muslims don't read the Qur'an, and accept, without question, only their Imam's interpretation, and do as they are told, or
2) They are following the prophet's 'blessed' instruction to lie, cheat, act deceitfully to the faces of the 'pigs' and 'monkeys' (Jews and Christians), break treaties (time limit 10 years), until they can convert them, either subtlety or force - in other words, until the time is right for Islam to rule the world.
As for this 'Apostasy Act' in Iran, it is not surprising that an Islamic country wants to destroy the Followers of the Way, as Satan wnts, and anything to do with them - Jeaus, The Word of God, Salvation, etc. How soon will it be, if passed, will other Islamic countries, especially those that have radical theocratically-based governments, take it on to protect the integrity of their regimes and religion?
Our battle is in the heavenlies, and we need to to pray collectively for christian brothers and sisters, and against the demons that promote Islam. In the meantime, we should try to support those Christian societies that are working to support the persecuted.
As for any Christians who die, especially those who are beheaded (the terrible persecution), will have their souls placed before the altar of God in Heaven,(Rev. 7 v 9-17). They are in a win-win situation. As the prohecies in Scripturehave been, and continue to be, fulfilled, then we can be sure that this will happen. But we, and they, must keep faith in Christ!
That goes for the deceived Muslims also, as every clan, tribe and nation will stand before God to acclaim Him and Christ.
Islam does not officially recognise political correctness, nor human rights, as Western Democracy understands it, BUT will accept it as long as Isalm can find a way around it, and then ignore it. Only Christ is going to destroy this system at the End.
Our Salvation draws nigh!
Chris Maguire, Ventnor, IOW,UK
Added: Thursday, October 2, 2008, 19:04 (BST)
It is great news to hear of the release of the Christian Iranians from prison. I can only assume due to International pressure. What is needed now is a concerted effort to gain the release of the seven detained Baha'i leaders who were arrested, held with out charge nor legal representation since May this year. The proposed apostate law in Iran is a direct threat to the Baha'is. We should all respectfully call upon President Amadinajad to intervene and unconditionall release the Baha'i who are innocent and held simply due to religious persecution.
Keith Dawson, Toronto Canada
