This seems a huge story to me, but has been ignored by all but conservative media outlets. Apparently, an Iranian pastor may soon be executed for apostasy because he refuses to recant his Christian faith. Here’s the story from the Get Religion blog, by the eminently responsible Terry Mattingly. Here’s the press release from Christian Solidarity, which states in part:
Pastor Nadarkhani was tried and found guilty of apostasy (abandoning Islam) in September 2010 by the court of appeals in Rasht. The verdict was delivered verbally in court, while written confirmation of the death sentence was received nearly two months later. At the appeal in June 2011, the Supreme Court of Iran upheld Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani’s sentence, but asked the court in Rasht, which issued the initial sentence, to re-examine whether or not he had been a practicing Muslim adult prior to converting to Christianity. The written verdict of the Supreme Court’s decision included provision for annulment of the death sentence if Pastor Nadarkhani recanted his faith.
According to Nina Shea at The Corner, Pastor Nadarkhani has now refused for a third time to recant.
I have been in Paris and seen demonstrations against the death penalty for Mumia Abu Jamal, convicted of killing a police officer. Where is the outrage over a pending execution of a man who has committed no crime, but refuses to deny Christ? And, as Mattingly so cogently asks, where are the news media?
September 27th, 2011 | 8:23 pm
The dudes who got lost hiking on the Iran-Iraq border were Americans. This pastor is a foreigner. The American media will follow Americans, especially women in trouble abroad. In general, citizenry cares more for their own.
If the persecutors weren’t Muslims, the conservative media might not be interested either.
September 27th, 2011 | 9:31 pm
Per Todd’s last point: Islam is the only religion I know of that prescribes death for apostasy. So the ONLY case where this could happen is if the persecutors are Muslims.
September 27th, 2011 | 9:39 pm
Oh, I think that’s easily falsifiable. One thinks of the interest in and coverage given to the Dalai Lama and the situation in Tibet in the west, because Buddhism is a cause celebre for the elite here in the US, especially in the entertainment industry.
Beyond that, the “conservative media” hasn’t picked this up either. Most conservative blogs and sites are too focused on economic things to notice or care, and many of them (thinking of Instapundit here) are pretty much liberal on social issues and anti-religion as anyone. I do see foxnews.com ran this story on July 11, so good for them — for its many real faults, Fox will touch religion stories and social issues stories that, say, CNN generally wouldn’t find of interest (although CNN ran (this story online on 12/7/2010).
As far as your comment regarding Muslims, well, again the blogs and sites most virulently concerned about Islam don’t care about religion and social issues, but beyond that, Islam (along with China) are the biggest violators of religious freedom, so it’s not like there are a wide variety of persecutors to choose from. If a Christian is persecuted, 99% chance it’s at the hands of Islam or the PRC.
Beyond that, how about a little compassion? The man’s about to have his neck snapped for thinking wrongly.
September 27th, 2011 | 9:57 pm
If they weren’t Muslim, then they wouldn’t be putting a man to death for apostasy, Todd.
September 27th, 2011 | 11:51 pm
The western world is as blind to the horrors in places like Iran, North Korea, China, etc., as it was to those in places like Ukraine in the 1930s.
In other words, willfully blind. There are none so blind as those who will not see…
September 28th, 2011 | 5:01 am
[...] via Iranian Pastor May Soon Be Executed for Refusing to Deny Christ » First Thoughts | A First Things B…. [...]
September 28th, 2011 | 6:21 am
Next 24 hours critical to stop the execution of Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani – Email the Iranian Embassy http://bit.ly/pX6je3 #Nadarkhani
September 28th, 2011 | 1:01 pm
[...] Freedom in Iran Wednesday, September 28, 2011, 1:00 PM Joseph Knippenberg As Wesley Smith notes below, Iranian Christian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani has refused to recant his faith. Absent any new [...]
September 28th, 2011 | 4:17 pm
[...] Pastor Nadarkhani – An Iranian pastor, for refusing to recant his faith, is facing execution in Iran. Pray for mercy by the state and that God will receive great glory in this faithful follower’s life and/or death. [...]
September 28th, 2011 | 8:35 pm
[...] Iranian Pastor May Soon Be Executed for Refusing to Deny Christ – Wesley J. Smith, FT [...]
October 5th, 2011 | 8:03 pm
for the sake of MOST HIGH GOD the life of this man should be spared and should not be executed
October 7th, 2011 | 10:20 am
[...] CBN News, First Things & Christianity Solidarity Worldwide Free Speech | Persecution | Religious Freedom | World [...]
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