Hanged for being a Christian in Iran »
Posted By ekklesiawarrior 8 months, 3 weeks ago in ReligionA month ago, the Iranian parliament voted in favour of a draft bill, entitled "Islamic Penal Code", which would codify the death penalty for any male Iranian who leaves his Islamic faith. Women would get life imprisonment. The majority in favour of the new law was overwhelming: 196 votes for, with just seven against.
Imposing the death penalty for changing religion blatantly violates one of the most fundamental of all human rights. The right to freedom of religion is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and in the European Convention of Human Rights. It is even enshrined as Article 23 of Iran's own constitution, which states that no one may be molested simply for his beliefs.
And yet few politicians or clerics in Iran see any contradiction between a law mandating the death penalty for changing religion and Iran's constitution. There has been no public protest in Iran against it.
Read Full Story at telegraph.co.uk »
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ekklesiawarrior8 months, 3 weeks ago
Telegraph:
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Eighteen years ago, Rashin Soodmand's father was hanged in Iran for converting to Christianity. Now her brother is in a Mashad jail, and expects to be executed under new religious laws brought in this summer
Life for Rashin Soodmand, her siblings and her mother became extremely difficult after her father was executed in Iran for the 'crime' of abandoning his religion
David Miliband, Britain's Foreign Secretary, stands out as one of the few politicians from any Western country who has put on record his opposition to making apostasy a crime punishable by death.
The protest from the EU has been distinctly muted; meanwhile, Germany, Iran's largest foreign trading partner, has just increased its business deals with Iran by more than half. Characteristically, the United Nations has said nothing.
It is a sign of how little interest there is in Iran's intention to launch a campaign of religious persecution that its parliamentary vote has still not been reported in the mainstream media.-
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ekklesiawarrior8 months, 3 weeks ago
Op-Ed:
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Let us NOT forget Iran support Germany in World War Two, until the United States entered the War. -
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ekklesiawarrior8 months, 3 weeks ago
Telegraph:
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Some Muslims are extremely hostile to people of any other religion, never mind to those who they consider apostates: Ayatollah Khomeini declared that "non-Muslims are impure", insisting that for Muslims to wash the clothes of non-Muslims, or to eat food with non-Muslims, or even to use utensils touched by non-Muslims, would spoil their purity.-
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ekklesiawarrior8 months, 3 weeks ago
Op-Ed:
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This mind set is already within England.
Islam has set up no go areas. We know first hand, under going pushing, shoving us out of public buildings, cursing Americans.
These days you go into what is a 'Curry Restaurant' more times than not you be receipt unkind words from the Islamic owners.
In the Mosques, papers as the Telegraph have secretly recorded death wish to non-Muslims,.
Women whom have converted to Christian faith have been raped, men emigrated out of Britain in fear of their life.
This is Islamic mind-set slowly coming to America. -
PsychoHosebeastComment removed: User banned.7 Replies
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TrueProphet8 months, 3 weeks ago
Muslims believing they are going to heaven and have so many virgins for blowing up innocent people and self-sacrifice--The devil is a liar and his children are easily exposed! What a crock. The true infidels are Muslims Jesus is lord.
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smithichie8 months, 3 weeks ago
Of course there hasn't been a time that hasn't been called the "last days", even Jesus refers to people he supposedly spoke to as the times they were living in as the last days with, Matthew 16:28 "Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom".
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But I am sure, you're really right this time. So with that in mind...
I am selling rapture insurance, while im sure you are a decent christian and can expect to be saved, have you taken a moment to consider your pets?
What will your pets do when you are raptured? In a world post-rapture, will your pets receive the care they need, or will they be eaten, or even worse sacrificed by evil pagans?
For the small, one time fee, of ten thousand dollars*, i will personally guarantee your pets will live out their natural lives in the comfort they deserve, when you have been raptured.
While you are enjoying being with your god, you can rest assured that the pets you left behind, are happily living out their natural lives.
When the end of the world could be at hand any time, can your pets afford your lack of rapture insurance, for even one more day?
*Note. Ten thousand dollar fee does not include food expenses, which are based on the individual pet and estimated lifespan of said pet. -
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memestryker8 months, 3 weeks ago
TrueProphet,
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Your extremism is no different from that you identify elsewhere. Yes, extremism exists, and we see it rearing it's ugly head, especially in countries where government and religion are tightly coupled. It spreads through fear and intimidation, and indoctrinates especially young children so they will spread its evil mantle.
Jesus was a very bright guy--in my view he was more insightful than all of the other so-called "prophets" of the Bible, Koran, etc., except perhaps Prince Siddhartha, who also had some huge insights. But the supernatural stories created by people and passed down by bards until they could finally be written down, and then published with the advent of the printing press so these "sacred" writings were those used when literacy first began to spread to ordinary citizens.
We may blow up much of the earth's population, since we have some psychopaths with their fingers on buttons that could unleash nuclear bombs, but it's not just the Christians who will suffer.
Instead of Christians endlessly pushing people to "read our Bible and learn about our God" and Muslims endlessly pushing people to "read the Koran and learn about our God"--and all the other competing groups who claim to have the insider scoop or last word on "religion," I think it would behoove all of us to read the sacred books and scientific findings of all the world's peoples.
Unitarian-Universalists are one of the first groups to bring people together to study all available "religious" or "spiritual" writings, and even they don't go far enough, in my opinion. I don't think they study newer religions like Scientology or New Thought, which also have some rich knowledge such as general semantics, understanding how consciousness and thought operates to create our perceived reality, etc.
Science also has brought us the tools to learn as much as we can about the natural world. I think it's a travesty for people to turn their backs on it.
Worry and premonitions of doom and gloom don't really help us, unless they are channeled into activities to learn more about how we think, why we believe, etc. And science is starting to find some answers. Jesus said "seek the truth where ye shall find it." I think he was onto something. But I don't think he was supernatural. Just an amazing genius. He tried to teach people how to be ethical, productive, and content--how to operate their own minds.
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Mutainia8 months, 3 weeks ago
A Christian hanged for being a Christian. IF someone went back in time and deleted surah 9:29 from the Quran, I wonder if he'd still be alive?
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Dionys8 months, 3 weeks ago
Luke 19:27 - But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me."
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You must kill those who worship another god. Exodus 22:20
Kill any friends or family that worship a god that is different than your own. Deuteronomy 13:6-10
Kill all the inhabitants of any city where you find people that worship differently than you. Deuteronomy 13:12-16
Kill everyone who has religious views that are different than your own. Deuteronomy 17:2-7
Kill anyone who refuses to listen to a priest. Deuteronomy 17:12-13
Kill any false prophets. Deuteronomy 18:20
Any city that doesn’t receive the followers of Jesus will be destroyed in a manner even more savage than that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Mark 6:11
Jude reminds us that God destroys those who don’t believe in him. Jude 5
Whoever denies “that Jesus is the Christ” is a liar and an anti-Christ. 1 John 2:22
Christians are “of God;” everyone else is wicked. 1 John 5:19
The non-Christian is “a deceiver and an anti-Christ” 2 John 1:7
Anyone who doesn’t share Paul’s beliefs has “an evil heart.” Hebrews 3:12
False Jews are members of “the synagogue of Satan.” Revelations 2:9, 3:9 -
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Dionys8 months, 3 weeks ago
"A Christian hanged for being a Christian. IF someone went back in time and deleted surah 9:29 from the Quran, I wonder if he'd still be alive?"
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Surah 9:29 starts out with "Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day."
Allah, as any Muslim will tell you, is the God of Abraham. Who is the God of the Christians and the God of the Jews. So both Jews and Christians believe in 'Allah.' They just use a different description.
Silly moron.
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AbuAmirah8 months, 3 weeks ago
Okay, I've read some of the posts and here's my take. I expected some of the people on this thread to respond the way they did (Mutainia). I'm surprised that the other bigots like Jumpaster, Ranch hand, Bobo in Texas hadn't shown up yet. As a Muslim, I am saddened and appalled that they would do that. I feel that religion ought to be able to face scrutiny and comparison of the adherents. If they are Muslim and their belief is strong, then they'll stay Muslim. But if they check out Christianity or Zoroastrianism, or Judaism and if they get what they need from that other faith then they should be free to roll with it. The Prophet often said that there was no compulsion in religion. But then again that might be the reason why much of the Muslim world is stuck in its malaise.
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memestryker8 months, 3 weeks ago
AbuAmirah, I would add that those of us who have not formed religious "beliefs" and see religion as just a system of cultural indoctrination and control also have the freedom to think as they do and not embrace any belief. Maybe the "malaise" is the result of people recognizing that their belief is not "real" and fearing that to say so would a) be politically incorrect, b) open them to ex-communication, other punishment or death, or c) be extremely fearful, since they've built their lives on a belief they now question?
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Plenty of Muslims were killed by Christians just for being Muslims when the Catholic church controlled European governments. I truly think that Islam is just going through a natural evolutionary cycle that human systems must do. I think the malaise in all religions is a little voice deep in people's consciousness that recognizes that folklore and doctrine promulgated by self-declared "prophets" is no more valid that someone today seeing a way to better organize people for peace and productivity.
Notice there are so many different sects of all religions, that even calling them names like "Judaism," "Hinduism," "Islam," "Christianity," etc. is really a major misnomer. They may share a single ancient doctrinal publication, or a newer system such as the general semantics adopted by Scientol*gy, or teachings of Ernest Holmes in Science of Mind, etc., but how they view the writings and interpret them varies widely. The Ba'hai in my area consider themselves Muslims, and their practices are more reflective of the teachings of the man Jesus than I had anticipated. They preserve their Muslim roots, and yet show an evolutionary path similar to the one taken by modern Christian groups, such as Unity.
I think culture is important to people, whether strictly "religious" or not. I definitely cherish the traditions passed down to me through my family, although I don't "believe" the traditional writings literally. I do glean wisdom from them, and yet I don't subscribe to them as static "doctrine" the way many "believers" do.
I am non-theistic, not believing in the supernatural. But I think what people call "spiritual" has absolutely nothing to do with "religion." I think practices framed as spiritual are just as available and useful to atheists as "believers."
But I think that religion does provide guidance and comfort to a lot of people, and I don't discount its power. I do think it should be separate from government, because any majority group has the potential to seize power and inflict their belief on everyone, as Muslim leaders have done in some countries and as George Bush has done in the U.S., sidelining science itself in favor of his belief. I'm only sorry that more people don't see through religious doctrine and question the concept of "belief." -
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Mutainia8 months, 3 weeks ago
Main Entry: big·ot
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Pronunciation: \?bi-g?t\
Function: noun
Etymology: French, hypocrite, bigot
Date: 1660
: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices ; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance.
So, how am I a bigot, Abu? Give some examples, and, direct the reader to where I showed hatred and intolerance toward ANYone. I attack Islam, I DON'T attack the victim (Muslim), withIN it. Oh, I might coin the term "five times a day, every day, of butt in the air" (which is fitting, face it), but, that's pretty much it. Still, though, SHOW, with evidence, how I'm a bigot. Do you need to read the definition again? I DARE you to find evidence to support me being a bigot. -
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Thinker228 months, 3 weeks ago
> ..if they check out Christianity or Zoroastrianism, or Judaism and if they get what they need from that other faith then they should be free to roll with it.
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Are you the same Abu Amirah who argued that the Jewish state should be destroyed and that the Jews should be forced out of Palestine or was it your "other" personality?
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memestryker8 months, 3 weeks ago
Natureboy, I agree, and yet the ancient writings include some heinous acts and recommend that believers commit many other heinous acts.
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Those who are literalists and hold fundamentalist beliefs about such writings don't see themselves bringing shame and ridicule to their "religion." People who bomb markets or family planning clinics actually think they are doing "God's" work. Many focus on the more destructive passages in their holy books as evidence. They are brainwashed by the ugliest, pettiest of the passages in their "holy" books.
The problem is how to stop the cycle of destructive brainwashing? Families are teaching their kids to hate, and supporting religious leaders who take it to the next step. How do we overcome this reality? -
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Thinker228 months, 3 weeks ago
>Anyone, christian, muslim, or jew, who proclaims his religion publicly and then preaches hate brings shame and ridicule to his religion.
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I see. Does it apply to the 'Natureboy' who posted tons of insults and hateful remarks about the Jewish people and the Jewish state here?
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memestryker8 months, 3 weeks ago
Maybe Iran seeks to become the center of the new Muslim world order, and this is another of the first shots fired.
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It's important for countries like the U.S. to strengthen code to make it more difficult for a single religious ideology to seize the government in this fashion.
To put this in perspective, I remember when Iranian women were some of the most educated and intellectual in the world, dressing in clothing of their own choosing. And I remember when Khomenei came into power in Iran, and many professional women were reduced to beggars, being beaten or worse, trying to feed their children, fired from their posts that were considered reserved for males.
Death for religious belief is extreme, of course, but the Catholic church perpetrated this and worse in Europe at onepoint. A less drastic form occurred in the U.S. just a few years ago, when the Southern Baptists had a similar regression to ancient Paulism and fired women in Baptist universities who were tenured professors.
Some of those same universities have started offering courses in how to be a housewife--at the college level! In fact, the Southern Baptists had to announce to their members that it was OK to vote for a female politician, although women are sidelined professionally and socially in their church.
So it's not just Islam that keeps regressing to its ancient past. Everytime the U.S. congress votes to add "God" to something else, I cringe. I know it's just a mild form of this same behavior. -
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BravoSierra8 months, 3 weeks ago
...but...but...we've created and democratic state and the surge worked.
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Or, did we simply institutionalize and support genocide and ethnic cleansing through the displacement of millions from their homes.
Well, the studies show that the surge didn't work at all. The ethnic cleansing of neighborhoods was nearly finished when we "surged" and all we've done is preside over the end of the cleansing. When most of the people not of your clan are killed or forced to move in exodus...then, you naturally get a drop in violence. -
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rimbaud8 months, 3 weeks ago
"The Prophet often said that there was no compulsion in religion." You really can't compel anyone to believe, using fear, or torture. It relects on the believers which of the teachings of their religion they emphasize: that's why we have freedom from religion in our government. As Wafa Sultan said, "I don't care if you believe in a rock as long as you don't beat me with it." Is there any letter writing campaign to support this kid?
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