Propagating other faiths is forbidden under Islamic law; hence, the clerics apparently decided it was time to ensure the dhimmis know their place. "Iran: Pastor among nine Christians arrested," from AdnKronos International, February 26:
Tehran, 26 Feb. (AKI) - An evangelical priest was among nine Christians arrested in central Iran on Friday as authorities continued a crackdown against Christians in the Islamic country. The Christians' evangelical church in the city of Isfahan was closed down last month, according to advocacy group International Christian Concern.
"Iranian Christians are under constant threat of discrimination, imprisonment, torture, and even execution by the Iranian government," said Washington DC-based ICC president Jeff King, quoted by Christian news agency BosNewsLife.
"This severely restricts religious freedom," King added.
Reverend Wilson Issavi was arrested by Iranian state security agents in Isfahan, some 340 kilometers south of the capital Tehran, King said.
"Reverend Issavi, his hosts and others were apprehended by the security agents and immediately taken to prison. Friends and family are deeply concerned as they are unable to contact Reverend Issavi," King stated.
Christian and opposition groups say Christians are the target of oppression by the Iranian government. Iranian intelligence services arrested six Christians accused of proselytism on 15 January, according to the opposition website 'Rah-e sabz'. [...]
Elam Ministries believes Iran's conservative clerical leadership is concerned about the spread of Christianity in the Islamic nation.
King said he could not reveal the names of eight people who had been arrested, citing security concerns.
Issavi was visiting a friend's home in Isfahan's Shahin Shahr area when state security raided the house unannounced, King said.
The location where the nine Christians are being held and their physical condition is unknown, he said.
King said before Issavi's church, the Evangelical Church of Kermanshah, was closed down on 2 January, it was among the few remaining churches still open in Iran.
Iran's hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has come under international pressure to improve religious rights but he has denied wrongdoing....
Off point News Flash! US Govt moves towards statehood for Pakistan.
The administration, not content with attempting to raise taxes in the US, now are attempting to raise taxes in Pakistan. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declares that rich Pakistani's should pay more taxes.
WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged wealthy Pakistanis to pay a larger share of taxes ...
In a testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the top US diplomat reminded rich Pakistanis that they had a duty to enable their government to fund schools and hospitals and to spend more on other social projects by paying taxes.
“The very well-off” in Pakistan “do not pay their fair share for the services that are needed, in health and education primarily,” she observed.
The PFRP (Popular Front for Rich Pakistani's) issued this short statement in response,
Ha, Ha, Ha! Seriously, you have to be kidding!
Of course Iran has one of those skewed Muslim constitutions.
http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/ir00000_.html
Articles 12 and 13 appear to give freedoms to non-Muslims but are then overuled by the usual "in accordance with the law" provisions which make them worthless.
"Law by Muslims - for Muslims"
It's a frightening document.
From New York:
Now what would motivate these young Muslim men to desire to carryout a jihad suicide attack? Perhaps Ibrahim Hooper or Ahmed Rehab could offer some ideas and maybe explain to these young men how they have gotten the Qur'an all wrong?
And islamic apologists are always so fond of the koranic verse; There is no compulsion in religion.
"And islamic apologists are always so fond of the koranic verse - "There is no compulsion in religion."
An abrogated Meccan verse, i.e. null and void. NULL AND VOID by the Medinan Jihad verses of the sword. Such as:
"Kill non-Muslims wherever you find them. Lie in wait and ambush them, seize and capture them using every stratagem of war (for example, political, economic, propaganda, population explosion). If they convert to Islam and pray and contribute to the cause of Islam (Jihad), let them go." (Koran 9:5)
"Non-Muslims MUST convert to Islam or they will be killed." (Koran 48:16)
"Fight the people of the Book (Jews and Christians) and extort money from them." (Koran 9:29)
"Mohammed, the messenger of Allah, and those who follow him (Muslims) are merciful to one another but harsh to the infidels (non-Muslims)." (Koran 48:29)
"Do not make friends with inferior people (Jews, Christians and all non-Muslims)." (Koran 3:118)
And many more.
The persecution of Christians in Islamic countries has nothing to do with a deep faith in Islam and its message, rather it is because of a deep insecurity and doubt about what Islam and its twisted Prophet have to offer those seeking spiritual comfort. No religion on earth offers less speritual comfort than Islam. If there's one thing that the Imams and Mullahs fear it is the teachings of Jesus Christ, and his message of forgiveness, love and fellowship with God.
It is fear, not faith, that motivates Muslim persecution of Christians.
But hang on this cannot be correct because Muslims love Jesus and to persecute Christians would be akin to attacking Jesus.
It's got to be some one else involved, can't be them peaceful Muslims. /sarc
I've come across "quite a few" cancelled ayat in the al Bukhari, where Allah seemed to change his mind a lot, ordering Momo to proclaim his word, then cancel it. Someone could write a paper on it if he or she hasn't already.
As far as the "freedoms" guaranteed by the Iranian constitution, the Soviet constitution under Stalin also established freedom of religion, freedom of speech, etc. "as long as they do not interfere with socialism," a provision which nullified each and every high-sounding "freedom."
The Soviet Constitution actually gave the impression it was more enlightened than the U.S. Constition.
In reality......
"Elam Ministries believes Iran's conservative clerical leadership is concerned about the spread of Christianity in the Islamic nation."
They sure don't want to spread true "Peace", now do they?