Britannia Radio

What price Christianity? - Sweep of arrests: Iranian Christians rounded up

Politics & USA Lists

So the Iranians are being loyal and good Muslims - obeying the laws of Mohammed and arresting all the Christians in their lands?

...as they will do in England, (and America and Australia) in due course! Not yet, but in a few years - they are already very well established in several UK cities, where they have complete "control" of things. Everything.

The odd thing is, our police and judiciary don't seem to be concerned or bothered - yet if we did the same thing in our own cities, I'm sure we would be stopped, if not prevented and arrested!

Back in their "homelands" (England is not their "homeland" - always remember that), you will now be put to death for being a Christian - I really don't know how they get away with it!

Because we let them, I suppose.

An Iranian Christian told Barnabas Fund: "

I feel sorry for the Iranian authorities because they don’t realise that they’re up against the Holy Spirit."

This may well be so, but it doesn't seem to stop them from arresting Christians and in many cases, executing them.

What price Christianity?

I smell a Holy War coming on.........I really do.

s

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Donate Resources 08 MARCH 2012 Iranian Christians rounded up in sweep of arrests across the country The Iranian authorities are rounding up Christians across the country in a wave of arrests targeting ordinary church members – including a 78-year-old woman – and leaders. An Iranian Christian being baptised Since Christmas, security agents have conducted sweeps of house churches in Ahwaz, Shiraz, Esfahan, Tehran and Kermanshah. Some officially registered churches have been targeted too. Christians have also been seized in their homes and workplaces. In one incident, 78-year-old Giti Hakimpour was arrested in a raid on her home in Esfahan at 6am on 22 February. Officers searched the active church member’s apartment and confiscated some of her belongings. Giti, who had recently undergone knee replacement surgery, was not in good health; her doctor had ordered that she needed special care and should not be subjected to stress. Following persistent efforts from church leaders, Giti was released on 25 February. Hekmat Salimi, the pastor of another church in Esfahan, was arrested on the same day as Giti. His home was ransacked by security agents, who seized his computer, books and other personal belongings. Elsewhere, in Kermanshah, Masoud Delijani, a Christian convert from Islam, has been jailed for three years. He was charged with being a Christian, holding illegal house church gatherings, evangelising Muslims and action against national security. Masoud, a school teacher, was not given the opportunity to defend himself in court. Following his arrest in March 2011, Masoud was held in custody, mostly in solitary confinement, for 114 days, during which he was subjected to severe mental and physical pressure before being temporarily released upon a bail payment of around US$100,000. Entire congregations have been gathered up in some swoops. On 21 February, the authorities raided a house church in Kermanshah and arrested all 13 Christians who had gathered for worship. According to latest reports, three remain in custody. International pressure This latest wave of arrests comes as Iran is under mounting international pressure over its nuclear programme. The country is on a collision course with the West, which is likely to make the Iranian authorities intensify their campaign against Christians, who are considered to be in allegiance with foreign powers because of their faith. The authorities’ unrelenting efforts to quash the spread of the Gospel in the Islamic Republic of Iran are failing as the Church continues to grow rapidly. An Iranian Christian told Barnabas Fund: I feel sorry for the Iranian authorities because they don’t realise that they’re up against the Holy Spirit. Barnabas Fund supports a number of projects to help Iranian Christians. We cannot publicise specific details in case it puts them at risk. Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund, said: The authorities are turning the screw on our brothers and sisters in Iran and it appears that none of them, not even elderly church members, are safe from this campaign of intimidation and harassment. Those who are detained, and their families, often need practical assistance. As pressure on Iranian Christians intensifies, this need is growing, so I urge our supporters to give generously to this sensitive ministry. Please Pray Praise God for the continuing growth of the Iranian Church. Pray that converts from Islam will grow strong in their faith as they face much opposition and persecution. Pray for Christians who have been detained and imprisoned in Iran, that they will be cleared of all charges and released. Pray that the needs of persecuted Christians in Iran will be met without compromise to their security. Give Today If you would like to help Iranian Christians, please send a donation to the Iran General Fund (project 19-940). Please clickto donate online using our secure server. If you prefer to telephone, dial: 0800 587 4006 from within the UK or +44 1672 565031 from outside the UK. Please quote project reference Iran General Fund (project 19-940). If you prefer to send a cheque by post: Click this link for the address of our regional office. Please quote project referenceIran General Fund (project 19-940). For a quick donation of £3.00 by SMS (see terms and conditions here) text Barnabas/940 to 70007 (Please note: This facility is presently only available to UK supporters). Resources There is a poster for download to advertise this appeal here and a PowerPoint slide for your church notices is available here. Share this article Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all the information included on our website, we acknowledge that even our most reliable sources and careful interpretations can occasionally be wrong. We apologise for any errors of fact and will be grateful to receive corrections. BARNABAS FUND EMAIL NEWS SERVICE About us: Barnabas Fund works to support Christian communities around the world where they are facing poverty and persecution. Note to editors: Further details, quotes and photos on these and other stories may be available on request. barnabasfund.org Barnabas Fund helps Christians like the ones you have been reading about in this email who are persecuted for their faith. If you would like to help us meet their physical and spiritual needs, please make a donation to the Barnabas General Fund. 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