Executing Faith

Tony Perkin's FRC Washington Update: For several months, FRC has been calling on Christians and other people of conscience to call for the release of Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who has been tried and convicted of "waging war against Allah" for the simple reason that he refuses to renounce his Christianity. He has now been tried and found guilty for the fourth time--guilty because in open court, he stands up for his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. News reports are ambivalent about his prospects for release. According to this morning's Washington Post, the pastor's lawyer "is hopeful an appeals court will acquit his client." To be clear, Pastor Nadarkhani's "crime" is that he's a Christian and refuses to recant his faith in Christ. He hasn't been a Muslim since his youth--but under Islamic law, his conversion is an affront to Islam that is punishable by death.

Although the Obama administration has been silent about the fate of Pastor Nadarkhani, House Speaker John Boehner yesterday spoke out on his behalf, saying, "This goes beyond the law to an issue of fundamental respect for human dignity. I urge Iran's leaders to abandon this dark path, spare Youcef Nadarkhani's life, and grant him a full and unconditional release." In addition to praying for Pastor Nadarkhani, his wife, and young sons, call the Iranian Interest Section at the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, DC at (202) 965-4990. You can also contact the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the United Nations (email: iran@un.int; phone: (212) 687-2020).

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Tags: Iran, Pastor, Youcef Nadarkhani, pending execution, Christian, Tony Perkins, FRC, Family Research Council To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!