Iranian clerics concerned by spread of house churches

The increasing spread of Christianity in Iran and the resulting growth of house churches among Iranians has is greatly concerning Iranian religious experts and clerics. They make frequent statements about the situation.

According to the Iranian Christian news agency, Mohabat News, in his latest remarks in a meeting with the leader and managers of the Organisation of Islamic Propaganda in the religious city of Qom, imam Hojatol-Eslam Seyed Mohammad Saeedi warned against "the enemy's efforts" to establish "house-churches".

Mohabat News said he called on cultural authorities, especially those at the Organisation of Islamic Propaganda, to be pioneers in promoting religious teachings.

Qom is considered the religious capital of Iran and because the most prominent Shi'ite seminary is based in the city, it is also known as the center of the Shi'ite world.

Mohabat News reported that the Islamic cleric said "some families are vulnerable,", and called for the implementation of propagating programmes for Iranian families.

He said, "The presence of clerics among families is the best and most effective way to promote religious matters and sharia laws."

Mohabat News said that taking such positions against Christianity in Iran is not something new. Some Ayatollahs including top religious experts Mesbah-Yazdi, Vahid Khorasani, Makarem-Shiraz, have "already insulted Christianity and Christians".

Mohabat News said the same statements by Ayatollahs have prompted security and intelligence forces to impose more pressure on Iranian Christians.

It reports that the Shi'ite Ayatollah criticised the growth of Christianity in Iran and said, "Christianity rooted in Iran is deceiving young Shi'ites and they (the authorities) are fighting for who will be the boss."

After saying that he requested that Christian evangelism be eradicated from the country.

He reportedly added, "Isn't there someone to say what it means to have this much corrupt Christian propaganda even in the religious city of Qom?"