Remember when the pressure was on against Iran over its treatment of Pastor Nadarkhani for apostasy from Islam, and he was suddenly described by authorities as a traitor, Zionist, rapist, and brothel owner? How quickly that has evaporated again from the narrative. This began as an apostasy case, and it is continuing as such.
"Iran Pastor Nadarkhani Rejects Release Offer," by Stefan J. Bos for BosNewsLife, January 13 (thanks to The Religion of Peace):
TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife)-- Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has rejected an offer to be released from prison if he publicly acknowledges Islam's prophet Mohammed as "a messenger sent by God" well-informed Christians and rights activists said Friday, January 13.
Iranian authorities reportedly summoned lawyers for Pastor Nadarkhani to his home city of Rasht on December 30, to explain the deal. Local officials indicated they would release the pastor if he agreed to make the statement about Mohammed, Christians with close knowledge about the situation explained.
"However, Pastor Nadarkhani has refused to do so, and remains in prison awaiting a final decision on his case," confirmed advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) in a statement to BosNewsLife.
Christians said the pastor has made clear that making the demanded statement about Muhammed would amount to abandoning his faith in Jesus Christ.
Indeed. For one who believes Christianity's teachings about Jesus, there is nothing left for Muhammad to do except affirm or deny those teachings, and he denied them. Christianity's teachings about the divinity of Jesus clearly cannot be reconciled with Muhammad as a messenger of God who denied Jesus' divinity. It would be a case of God sending someone to deny Him.
Another source assisting the pastor told BosNewsLife there is concern about the renewed pressure on Nadarkhani, who faces execution for refusing to recant his Christian faith and return to Islam....
That's the very question I would like to ask Rasool Obama, I would enjoy watching him squirm and try to avoid answering...
If he says yes, he wrecks his claim to Christianity, if he says no, he offends every Mahoundian on the planet because a no is a direct insult to Mahound, worse than a cartoon even...
That's what you call, putting him on the spot, in the hot seat...That's exactly where the Iranians have the preacher...he's on the hot seat...between a rock and a hard place...But don't worry, the Iranian authorities will make sure he is treated fairly and gets everything he has coming to him...
Islam does not mean "peace". It means submission.
Pastor Nadarkhani and his family have my prayers. As a Christian, I am humbled by his faith.
All those who believe in prayer should pray feverently for Yousef Nadarkhani and his family; and all the perscuted Christians and non-mulsims worldwide. Their courage in the face of death, torture and perscution should inspire us all.
God bless this man who is unwavering in his dedication to what he believes in.
Unlike the Leftists, Politicians, Media and common people nowadays.
Even prominent Muslim scholars had their doubts about Muhammad as a "messenger sent by God"
The famous muslim scholar Al-Qurtubi wrote:
"Al-Abyad (a demon) is the friend of the prophets and he is the one who went to the Prophet (pbuh) in the form of Gabriel (the angel)" Al-Qurtubi 37/18
http://crossmuslims.blogspot.com/2011/10/muhammad-and-satan_24.html
To all Muslims ;
This man very well knows that he could face the death penalty, or severe imprisonment .This is the "Correct" example of a True Martyr.
Christian Martyrs " I will sacrifice Myself for what i believe"
Muslim martyrs " i will sacrifice You for what i believe"
God give him strength for this journey.
But there is an "out" to this. Even if he confesses that mofoe is a messenger of God, they'll be using the term "allah" which is NOT the name of the true Christian/Jewish God. That name is YHWH. allah is al-ilah, the moon goddess, and in and of itself, that moefoe is a "messenger" of the moon goddess, I believe that to be true. The Devil in moon goddess clothing...
Now if they try to get the pastor to deny the death and resurrection of Yeshua, that's another matter, one of imminent martyrdom.
Frankly, I don't know how you say "God" in Farsi.
Rick Stanich and Aprilyn: I'm also humbled by Nadakhani's example.
But, here's an interesting rub: Nadarkhani's case is now known outside Iran, which is why the Iranian authorities are trying to find a dignified out that would allow them to avoid killing this "apostate". Yet Nadarkhani is holding firm, and giving them the stark choice of either telling the world that apostasy from Islam is a capital crime in Iran, or failing to back up one of the pillars of their state. Surely, if Nadarkhani coninues to stand firm, and walks, this will be ammunition for Islamicist factions that oppose Ahamdinejad, and would like to prove themselves "holier".
This is what passes for theological philosophy in Islam.
Acknowledge the biblical validation of our claim to divine inspiration, or we will hang you.