“It is not illegal for Christians to drink alcohol in Iran but under Islamic law, Muslims are forbidden from drinking and it is illegal for Muslims to convert. The trio’s conversion from Islam to Christianity is not recognised by Iranian authorities who subscribe to Sharia law.”
The death penalty for apostasy is part of Islamic law. It’s based on the Qur’an: “They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allah. But if they turn away, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper.” (Qur’an 4:89)
A hadith depicts Muhammad saying: “Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him” (Bukhari 9.84.57). The death penalty for apostasy is part of Islamic law according to all the schools of Islamic jurisprudence.
This is still the position of all the schools of Islamic jurisprudence, both Sunni and Shi’ite. Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the most renowned and prominent Muslim cleric in the world, has stated: “The Muslim jurists are unanimous that apostates must be punished, yet they differ as to determining the kind of punishment to be inflicted upon them. The majority of them, including the four main schools of jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali) as well as the other four schools of jurisprudence (the four Shiite schools of Az-Zaidiyyah, Al-Ithna-‘ashriyyah, Al-Ja’fariyyah, and Az-Zaheriyyah) agree that apostates must be executed.”
Qaradawi also once famously said: “If they had gotten rid of the apostasy punishment, Islam wouldn’t exist today.”
But the Iranian authorities are just lashing these converts, not executing them. At last, moderate Islam!
“Christians sentenced to 80 lashes by Sharia court for drinking communion wine,” by Katie Mansfield, Express, November 16, 2016 (thanks to David):
A SHARIA court has sentenced three Christians to 80 lashes each after finding them guilty of blasphemy for drinking holy communion wine.
Yaser Mosibzadeh, Saheb Fadayee and Mohammed Reza Omidi will be flogged in public after being arrested at a house church gathering in Rasht, Iran, earlier this year.
The trio spent weeks in prison before finally being released on bail, but will now be subjected to the cruel and degrading punishment after being found guilty by Islamist judges.
Security agents also raided the home of their pastor Yousef Nadarkhani and his wife Fatemeh Pasandideh and arrested them at the same time, but they were not detained.
Iranian authorities later charged converts Mosibzadeh, Fadayee and Omidi for consuming alcohol during a communion service.
It is not illegal for Christians to drink alcohol in Iran but under Islamic law, Muslims are forbidden from drinking and it is illegal for Muslims to convert.
The trio’s conversion from Islam to Christianity is not recognised by Iranian authorities who subscribe to Sharia law.
An Iranian court sentenced the trio to 80 lashes each as punishment for their actions.
Many people faint after eight strokes due to the severe pain of the barbaric corporal punishment, which was commonplace in the Middle Ages.
The group, alongside Nadarkhani, are also due to be sentenced for “action against national security” at a later date at the Revolutionary Court in Rasht….

Gray says
Isn’t it wonderful that the mercifully soon-to-be ex-President entered into an agreement with these savages, enabling them to develop nuclear weapons? I assume that, very soon now, Iranian Christians won’t merely be lashed: they’ll be vaporised, along with their houses of worship.
mortimer says
The religion of peace and tolerance … not. Western elites are tricking us so they can destroy Christianity.
A Harris USA says
Here is the question I have…. Where is the fake Pope?? His love of Muslim savages seems to be paying off, in the death of his flock!! Did he not kiss the ass of some Iranian Imam?? Oh, that worked!! The globalist agenda hates Christianity and are stupid enough to think Islam is on their side!! Listen to Hillary cry and moan over her loss!! Listen to Obama rant and rave until the last minute, about global agenda!! The mindless crap will never end, until we throw the globalist creepy clowns OUT!! Followed by the Muslim hordes!!! Just remember these modern day saints, when you go to your Roman church, and they want to take up a collection, for the rapeugees!!!! Not one dime, may I suggest. As for me, I refuse to follow a Pope who turns his globalist back on the people he should be defending!!
gravenimage says
Islamic Republic of Iran: Sharia court sentences Christians to 80 lashes for drinking communion wine
………………………..,,
Where is “Christianblood” to tell us that Iran respects Christianity and affords Christians freedom to practice their faith?
Champ says
Indeed, Graven! lol! 😀
Christianblood says
gravenimage posted
(..Where is “Christianblood” to tell us that Iran respects Christianity and affords Christians freedom to practice their faith?..)
The three individuals sentenced to be lashed here have all islamic names which are (Yaser Mosibzadeh, Saheb Fadayee and Mohammed Reza Omidi) and this tells me they are very likely former muslims who have abandoned islam and embraced Christianity. And while, it is totally wrong to punish them for drinking a communion wine, imagine if the Saudi Arabian authorities found in Mecca. three ex-muslims who rejected islam, embraced Christianity, practicing Christianity in house church while drinking wine! What do you think would happen to them? Do you think they would be left with 80 lashes only? NO. They would be publicly executed without mercy! Heck, Iran has even hundreds of house churches where ex-muslims can worship and also public church buildings for Christian expatriates who live in Iran’s big cities but Saudi Arabia, a trusted ally of the US and the West, it is still totally ILLEGAL to have a Christian church or any other house of worship other than a mosque. So, yes, while Iran is still occasionally persecutes Christians, relatively speaking, it is far more safer to live in Iran if you are an ex-muslim or if you are a Christian expat than in Saudi Arabia. In Iran, they even have small Jewish community there with a number of Jewish synagogues! Can the same be said about Saudi Arabia?
Angemon says
Christianblood posted:
“And while, it is totally wrong to punish them for drinking a communion wine, imagine if the Saudi Arabian authorities found in Mecca. three ex-muslims who rejected islam, embraced Christianity, practicing Christianity in house church while drinking wine! What do you think would happen to them?”
“Don’t worry about Christians suffering in Iran because they’d be worse in Saudi Arabia” – just the kind of empathy one would expect from a “Christian minister”…
“ Heck, Iran has even hundreds of house churches where ex-muslims can worship ”
From the article:
and:
I’ll repeat that: “it is illegal for Muslims to convert”.
“So, yes, while Iran is still occasionally persecutes Christians, ”
Nope. Not “occasionally” and it’s not just Christians. There’s a systematic, increasing persecution of Christians because they are Christians. And Zoroastrians because they are Zoroastrians. Crying “but muh Saudi Arabia!” won’t change it. You are defending the persecution of Christians. You are no different, in nature, than those people who, when confronted with current day examples of islamic terrorism, react by bringing up the Crusades.
“ it is far more safer to live in Iran if you are an ex-muslim”
Just ask the ex-muslims mentioned in the article…
gravenimage says
As I expected, nothing but apologia for persecution of Christians in Iran. And no–the persecution of Christians is not “occasional”, it is constant–as is persecution of other “unbelievers” there.
As for those house churches you consider so safe, these Christians were *arrested* at a house church.
Is Saudi Arabia even worse than Iran? In some ways–but if you are a gay person being hanged from a crane, or a woman being stoned to death, this might prove rather a moot point.
The Islamic State may be even worse over all than is Saudi Arabia–but I am not going to dish up apologia for Saudi Arabia because it is not the Islamic State, knowing it would be cold comfort to a victim in Chop-Chop Square facing beheading.
The fact is that real Anti-Jihadists don’t whitewash brutal Shari’ah–we actually condemn it unreservedly–in Iran, in Saudi Arabia, in the Islamic State, and anywhere else we find it.
As for your sneering at the victims being “left with 80 lashes only”, you should know that half that can be fatal:
“Bangladesh: Woman dies after receiving 40 lashes in Sharia punishment
https://www.jihadwatch.org/2010/12/bangladesh-woman-dies-after-receiving-40-lashes-in-sharia-punishment
Ashley says
So, yes, while Iran is still occasionally persecutes Christians, relatively speaking, it is far more safer to live in Iran if you are an ex-muslim or if you are a Christian expat than in Saudi Arabia. In Iran, they even have small Jewish community there with a number of Jewish synagogues!
__________________
Christianblood…your comment above is insane.
Christianblood says
Ashley posted
(..Christianblood…your comment above is insane..)
Ashley, with all dues respect, I am not denying that Iran sometimes persecutes minorities like those three in the story, all I am saying is that compared to Iran, Saudi Arabia is even far more dangerous to religious minorities. For example, Iran allows Churches, Jewish Synagogues, Hindu, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Bahai Temples but it is still totally illegal to build a non-islamic house of worship in Saudi Arabia and if an ex-muslim like those three above are found abandoning islam, embracing Christianity and drinking wine in house church they would be mercilessly executed and yet the US and the West are allied with the brutal, head-chopping Saudis while they demonize secular leaders like Saddam, Assad and Qaddafi and use their barbaric jihadist mercenaries against them. I wonder why don’t YOU see this huge, stinky duplicitous Western hypocrisy! Let us also remember the Iranian regime is made in America. It was the Americans and the French who turned their backs on the pro-Western Shah of Iran and supported radical Shiite Khumeinist fanatics who overthrew the Shah of Iran. Please read it on the link below:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36431160
Angemon says
Christianblood posted:
“Ashley, with all dues respect, I am not denying that Iran sometimes persecutes minorities like those three in the story, all I am saying is that compared to Iran, Saudi Arabia is even far more dangerous to religious minorities. ”
And that’s exactly why it is insane: you are ignoring and defending the persecution of Christians in Iran on the grounds that they might be worse off elsewhere. And you call yourself a “servant of a God”. Pathetic and despicable.
“For example, Iran allows Churches, Jewish Synagogues, Hindu, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Bahai Temples”
Iran has been systematically shutting down temples of religious minorities. Why do you think these Christians were gathered in a house-church instead of a church?
“and yet the US and the West are allied with the brutal, head-chopping Saudis while they demonize secular leaders like Saddam, Assad and Qaddafi ”
“Secular leaders”? None of hem was secular. Do you know who was secular though? Stalin and Mao. Were they good people who showed respect for religion? No. Far from it.
“Let us also remember the Iranian regime is made in America. ”
No. It was made in the USSR. It was supposed to be a communist revolution, with islamists being nothing but “fellow travellers”. After getting into power, Khomeini had Russian spies and Iranian collaborators killed.
“It was the Americans and the French who turned their backs on the pro-Western Shah of Iran and supported radical Shiite Khumeinist fanatics who overthrew the Shah of Iran. Please read it on the link below: ”
Once again, you never read that link. What it says amount to “Iran was on the brink of civil war, Khomeini promised Carter that if he were to come to power the good relations between the US and Iran, as well as the lives of American citizens in Iran, would go on as usual, so Carter didn’t intervene in Iran”. Of course, if Carter had sent American troops to hold the Sha in power and a civil war took place as a result, you’d be here chastising us on how the imperialistic “Big Satan” used force to keep puppet in power despite the Iranian people not wanting him there. BTW, have you forgot that you are defending the Iranian regime? If you go out of your way to tell us how wonderful it is for allegedly allowing Churches then your false claim about it being “made in America” is a *good* thing. You can’t have your cake and eat it – either you condemn the Iranian regime and blame it on the Americans or you praise in, in which case claiming that the Americans are responsible for it is actually a compliment.
Jay Boo says
CB’s link references Dhimmi Carter
“In a first-person message, Khomeini told the White House not to panic at the prospect of losing a strategic ally of 37 years and assured them that he, too, would be a friend.
“You will see we are not in any particular animosity with the Americans,” said Khomeini, pledging his Islamic Republic will be “a humanitarian one, which will benefit the cause of peace and tranquility for all mankind”.
Khomeini’s message is part of a trove of newly declassified US government documents – diplomatic cables, policy memos, meeting records – that tell the largely unknown story of America’s secret engagement with Khomeini, an enigmatic cleric who would soon inspire Islamic fundamentalism and anti-Americanism worldwide.
This story is a detailed account of how Khomeini brokered his return to Iran using a tone of deference and amenability towards the US that has never before been revealed.”
———————————————————————
Iran is nasty — no doubt.
So is Saudi Arabia.
However, I wonder if BBC would have bothered to criticize Carter for his behind the scenes moves if similar actions were dealing with the Saudis.
The Saudis don’t often get the MSM derision in the West they duly deserve. While Iranian theocracy is rightly called barbaric the Saudis are presented in the Western (MSM) as a more dignified and ‘princely’ group of thugs with a certain Islamic panache.
Angemon says
Jay Boo posted:
“The Saudis don’t often get the MSM derision in the West they duly deserve. ”
Far from it, JB. You’ll find that major news outlets often mention “Saudi wahabism” as being the source of all that’s wrong with islam, as if non-wahabi schools of islam are peaceful and wahabism is the odd man out. The notion that Saudi Arabia is a retrograde country permeates even pop culture:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYNyJnOZdqg
I believe that episode of “American Dad” aired over 10 years ago.
Christianblood says
Jay Boo posted
(..Khomeini’s message is part of a trove of newly declassified US government documents – diplomatic cables, policy memos, meeting records – that tell the largely unknown story of America’s secret engagement with Khomeini, an enigmatic cleric who would soon inspire Islamic fundamentalism and anti-Americanism worldwide..)
You are right J.B. and it is another prove of the truly undeniable fact that the US government is always EAGER and WILLING to support islamic fundamentalists across the world in the past many decades. From Iran, to Afghanistan, to Chechnya, to the Balkans, to Iraq, to Libya, to Egypt, to Yemen and now in Syria, US is always eager to team up with the most barbaric forms of islamic jihadists. This is truly the most shocking fact that we keep seeing again and again and again and again and I am sure, if it continue with this present fervency, it will eventually cause a cataclysmic global war which will be very destructive for all humanity.
Angemon says
Christianblood posted:
“ From Iran, to Afghanistan, to Chechnya, to the Balkans, to Iraq, to Libya, to Egypt, to Yemen and now in Syria, US is always eager to team up with the most barbaric forms of islamic jihadists. ”
Citations needed.
Jay Boo says
CB is not entirely wrong
gravenimage says
Also,Christianblood, I’m afraid you are incorrect about Iran not executing apostates:
http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/publications/reports/1000000512-apostasy-in-the-Islamic-Republic-of-Iran.html#2.1
Lady Infidel says
This is like trying to defend Stalin and Hitler on the basis that Mao caused more deaths. And also, if the victims die from the flogging (which has happened before) is it really any different from execution?
Praeceptor Maximus says
Great analogy, Lady Infidel.
gravenimage says
True, Lady Infidel. I hate all of these Islamic hellholes–I am not going to defend *any* of these tyrannies.
Bob says
Meaning, Cblood, that all of islam is sick, not Iran only!
Stephanie says
… for Muslims only the half,
Bukhari Vol. 8, Book 81, No. 764, 767 “The Prophet beat a drunk with palm-leaf stalks and shoes. And Abu Bakr[ close companion of Muhammad & father of Aisha ]gave (such a sinner) FORTY LASHES.”
http://sunnah.com/bukhari/86/5
Stephanie says
‘… For each (Muslims & non-Muslims) We (Allah in Royal plural) have appointed a DIVINE law’
http://www.searchtruth.com/chapter_display_all.php?chapter=5&from_verse=48&to_verse=48&mac=&translation_setting=1&show_pickthal=1
Stephanie says
… allah’SS key ayah, Qur’an 5:48
Angemon says
Nothing to see here, citizen – we all know that the “bad” islam is Saudi wahabism alone and that most terrorist groups are not shia…/ sarc. off
Joy Designs says
Is this the same Pastor Narkhani who was imprisoned around 2010 for 3 years?
gravenimage says
Good catch, Joy. Here is one previous story here:
“Iranian court upholds apostasy conviction and death sentence for convert from Islam to Christianity”
“Christian Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani faces potential execution,”
https://www.jihadwatch.org/2011/09/iranian-court-upholds-apostasy-conviction-and-death-sentence-for-convert-from-islam-to-christianity
The sentence was upheld the following year, and his defense attorney was arrested, as well. Apparently it is not entirely clear whether he was ever a practicing Muslim. He found Christianity as a teenager.
In 2012, he was found guilty of evangelizing Muslims, but was released with time served. He was then–without explanation–rearrested, were he spent the next several months in prison, and was released in 2013.
Of course, finding Muslim converts at his church is likely more evidence of his “guilt”. I’m not at all sure that this wasn’t targeting him, or that this is the end of things.
This poor man has been harassed, arrested, and imprisoned on and off since 2006.
boakai ngombu says
the outright presumption of authority by the Iranian courts to discourage and prevent, right worship of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) will serve as a judgment against them on the Day of Judgement when Jesus returns to gather His own. the Anointed of God commanded this eating and drinking be observed.
here is evidence and clear demonstration that ISLAM is antiChrist,anti faith, antichurch. may Christians worldwide become aware of this evil religion.
no tolerance of SHARIA should be maintained anywhere for the sake of any and all who would be seduced by this body of law, as it destroys opportunity to learn of all that the Holy Trinity would bestow upon those who turn to Him. .
American Pragmatism says
Islam is indeed the antichrist. One major mystery of revelation has been unveiled.
American Pragmatism says
See the videos of 666 and islam.
davej says
The basic problem is that Muslims will not settle for holding a belief unto themselves, they think it is their right to impose it on everyone else. On pain of death, no less.
That is the difference between humble faith and Fascist extremism.
Fascists do not deserve the tolerance we show to simple faiths. They have placed themselves outside and above the human experience. This makes them inhuman and a force that must be resisted at all costs.
Michael Copeland says
Good point. Also, it is not just that they “think” it. They are INSTRUCTED to impose Islam on all –
I.S.L.A.M. Impose Sharia Law on All Mankind.
Matthieu Baudin says
The Muslim born young people of the Islamic Republic of Iran have become proficient brewers of beer and wine in their own homes. The authorities to some extent turn a blind eye to this practice and so keep alive the public veneer of prohibition. No-one knows just how tenuous support for the Islamic State has become but it is certain that the young have abandoned it in droves. Meanwhile the Iranian authorities content themselves with displays of public humiliation against those who openly challenge its moral dictates.
gravenimage says
I hope you are right, Matthieu–but we’ve been hearing for decades now that most Iranians don’t support the Mullahs, and that Iran is on the brink of becoming a secular democracy–and yet, it never happens. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Praeceptor Maximus says
“A SHARIA court has sentenced three Christians to 80 lashes each after finding them guilty of blasphemy for drinking holy communion wine.”
When atrocities are done by ISIS, the defenders of Islam in the west say that ISIS has hijacked the religion. So I’d like to ask them: has Iran hijacked Islam too? Has Saudi Arabia? Has any Islamic country? In one way or another, all Islamic countries are brutal. I cannot begin to imagine the horrors of receiving 80 lashes, but I can’t help imagining that a person could die simply of the shock. This is all the more reason that I want to slap the critics of Donald Trump in the face when they call him a racist simply because he wants to put a temporary ban on Muslim immigration.
Carolyne says
My backward little town recently had a referendum on whether or not wine could be sold in grocery stores and more recently whether liquor could be sold in restaurants by the drink. Both propositions won. One of the local citizens wrote a letter to the editor saying that his “Mama” had told him never to drink so he thought that went for all citizens. He did not propose a punishment for those who do drink. He just wanted to impose his “Mama’s” instructions on us all. Allah is a malevolent “Mama” and his/her punishments are grave indeed.
Not being Christian, I have always thought that drinking wine as a symbol of human blood is sort of cannibalistic, but to each his own. My point is that a religious tradition which hurts no one should be freely performed by those who believe in it and certainly not the business of some dirty, smelly old imam.
The punishment should fit the crime but there is no crime here.
American Pragmatism says
I wonder why they spared the death penalty for apostasy?
Angemon says
Their conversion wasn’t officially recognized.
Mazo says
There hasn’t been any Islamic country in living memory which executed anyone for just apostasy. None of them, not Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Malaysia etc. Converts are just jailed or face legal problems.
gravenimage says
The vile Mazo is, once again, condoning Muslim abuse of apostates.
And this is a distinction without a difference, as an apostate is only known as such if he admits it–which is “blasphemy” in and of itself.
Here’s one such story, from just last year:
“Sharia Saudi Arabia sentences poet to death for apostasy and blasphemy”
https://www.jihadwatch.org/2015/11/sharia-saudi-arabia-sentences-poet-to-death-for-apostasy-and-blasphemy
There are, of course, many more such stories.
Florida Jim says
There tyrants everywhere and growing rapidly Freedom is precious and very, very scarce America, Australia and New Zealand are ll that is left and they are being attacked by globalists, Soros and Obama a foul, foul trio.
gravenimage says
Don’t count Europe out yet. There are still some patriots there.
David says
It’s like the old childrens game: “Satan Says “.
Satan says: if anyone refuse to “worship me, kill them!”.
“If they try to turn away from the worship of ME (SATAN) KILL THEM!”
If they don’t follow all of my SATAN’S command, kill them!”
Very easy to understand, really!