Faith

Iran‘s Supreme Court Overturns Christian Pastor’s Death Sentence, Demands He ‘Repent’

Irans Supreme Court Overturns Christian Pastors Death Sentence, Demands He Repent

Photo courtesy of ACLJ

Apostasy is known as the total abandonment of one’s religion. In America, such an act is far from illegal, as many individuals switch denominations — even religions — with ease.

But, in Iran, a nation known for its human rights violations, such apostasy is illegal and punishable by death. This is exactly what Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani quickly learned when Iranian authorities detained him because of his Christian beliefs.

Nadarkhani was first arrested in October 2009. The Christian Post reports that the pastor converted from Islam to Christianity when he was a teenager:

The now 32-year-old evangelical house church pastor was first arrested for protesting against Christian children being forced to participate in Muslim religious education in school. Then last year he was sentenced to death for apostasy.

But, just days after human rights activists claimed that Iran’s Supreme Court was planning to uphold the death penalty, it is being reported that the high court has actually overturned the ruling.

While this is certainly a victory for Nadarkhani, he isn’t out of the woods yet. The Supreme Court has allegedly sent the ruling back to the pastor’s hometown court and has demanded that he “repent.” Under Islamic law, repenting would involve the pastor apologizing and denouncing his conversion to Christianity.

There is no word yet on what will happen next. Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, Nadarkhani’s lawyer, says he needs to travel to read the ruling, as he has only heard it via phone.

In showcasing the full scope of Iran’s anti-Christian sentiment, Dadkhah is also facing serious charges. AFP has more:

Dadkhah said he himself was sentenced on Sunday by a Tehran court to nine years in jail and a 10-year ban on practicing law or teaching at university for “actions and propaganda against the Islamic regime”.

The lawyer said he had been criticised for having cooperated with the Centre for the Defence of Human Rights, an organisation founded by Nobel peace laureate Shirin Ebadi, as well as for giving interviews to foreign radio stations.

It will be intriguing to see how this case is handled. If Nadarkhani refuses to apologize, there is no telling how the story will end. It is quite possible that the Supreme Court could reverse course once more.

Comments (134)

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  • hi
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:22pm

    Of course Obama isn’t going to help him.

    Report Post » hi  
  • WINNEBAGOMAN
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:21pm

    Good post MOMPRAYN.

    Regimes like Iran’s, will only spread and become stronger if Israel were to fall. God bless Israel and God bless the USA! Long live Liberty!

    Report Post » WINNEBAGOMAN  
  • 51bmustang
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:16pm

    He should not repent, period.

    Report Post »  
  • trooper
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:15pm

    What are thay saying, repent a belief and a god of choice and what, worship a pediophile god instead. What on gods green earth is happening? I guess they don’t see much greenery over there, maybe that’s why they believe in an utterly evil god and worship it to thier ends.

    Report Post »  
  • nomercy63
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:11pm

    The time has come to destroy this disgusting filthy religion as nothing more then a cult!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • poverty.sucks
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:09pm

    Recent visit to a Florida resort was poolside with a Muslim family who’s mother was head to toe in her garb, Black hood, robe face covered and and all, with eyes hidden by dark sun glasses in the Florida Sun and humidity, poor lady must have been sweating a great deal with her husband sitting next to her in designer shorts, polo shirt. Kids asked who the black person was, I told them it was a Ninja warrior. They thought that was cool. Kids couldn’t help but stare, I advised, if you’re going to stare, wave and say hello, and they did. Not long after, the Ninja family left.

    Report Post » poverty.sucks  
  • Grapesofwrath
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:08pm

    May God be with you Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani.

    Report Post »  
  • Jim in Houston
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:07pm

    Don’t you just admire the tolerant religion of Islam? It reminds one of the libaturds and democRats.

    Report Post »  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:03pm

    Great comment, POVERTY…I am reminded of the girl who would not recant on Christ at the shooting in Colorado (Columnbine H.S.) She is with Him now.

    Report Post »  
  • BBomber66
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:03pm

    I feel so humbled by the strength of this man’s faith. The faithful, those tested by this fire, will have an honored place next to Jehovah. It’s one thing to espouse a faith in a countrry like ours where the greatest threat is that a neighbor calls you names or t-papers you trees, but to stand for Christ in the middle of a sea of people who are taught to kill you for the smallest infraction in or slight of Islam and its teachings takes great courage. It has to be courage in the belief that God will save him; not necessarily in this lifetime but in the life everlasting. God bless you Yousef.

    Report Post » BBomber66  
  • SREGN
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:00pm

    If Islam is allowed to continue to subjugate, this choice awaits us all. I will refuse. My relationship with almighty God is more important than my head. And eternity is much longer than 120 years.

    Report Post »  
  • VISITORNUMBER3
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:00pm

    If (or should I say “when”?) this sort of thing begins to happen to people here in the U.S., how many will deny Christ to save their own lives?

    Prayers for these two men and their families…

    Report Post » VISITORNUMBER3  
  • momprayn
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:00pm

    I’m a Christian, very happy he was converted over; however, I don’t quite understand why he did what he did in a Muslim country like Iran. I hope most know that Islam teaches you must kill all the infidels (Christians/Jews, etc.)???? Don’t think that was too wise but I guess he thought God wanted him too & was ready to die for it, which is very commendable of course – but then again, maybe God didn’t want him to do that. Don’t know. In the New Testament, disciples were told sometimes by the Holy Spirit not to go into certain hostile areas to preach, etc. It has to be the right time and the right place, backed up by God. If he is as strong as he seems, of course he won’t “repent” and I predict they’ll condemn him to death once again. I pray for his protection & God’s will be done…hopefully turn it for good sooner or later.
    BTW – the Christian “church” here is going into “apostasy”…….watch out.

    Report Post »  
    • kc6kip
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:24pm

      As I read your post, I was struck by the question of “Who taught Billy Graham about God?”

      I don’t know who it was but I thank God that he did. May this Pastor in Iran isn’t supposed to make a stand for Christianity in Iran. I bet he is supposed to teach the “one” that will. What are God’s plans? It is not for us to know. It is in our power to pray for this Pastor and other like him the have to travel from house to house holding Bible meetings.

      Father, keep him safe. Above all, your will be done.

      Report Post »  
    • Melvin Spittle
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:58pm

      Because a country threatens you with death for spreading God’s word does not take away our obligations as Christians to spread His word to the the four corners of the earth. We are commanded to do this. It is not an option.

      Report Post » Melvin Spittle  
  • louise
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:00pm

    I pray for this man and his family and his friends.
    He will not “repent” for being a Christian. Iran will martyr him.

    THIS is what rue Christianity is about. Standing in God’s Truth. This kind of barbarisim has not yet come to the USA.
    It will.
    To all Blazers and everyone else out there who might read this:
    We fight not against flesh and blood. The war is Spiritual IN NATURE and is manifested here in the NATURAL. This is a Spiritual war. The bounty is souls. That is what the “WAR” is being fought FOR.

    Report Post » louise  
    • Melvin Spittle
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:55pm

      Very true. Satan gathers his armies for the final confrontation. Those that are of the world will not see the spiritual significance of the this and when offered to chose Satan (Islam) at the tip of a sword, their souls will be lost. My belief is that Islam is the evil and violent tool of Satan. I do not hate the followers of Islam, only their false religion. We are indeed in a holy war with evil. Our enemy knows this yet we still try to convince ourselves we are not.

      Islam is not compatible with our system of government and law. In order to be compatible, they would have to deny key passages in the Quaran. The question is: How can a true follower of Islam live here AND comply with our laws? They cannot. If they are true followers of Islam, then they must comply with the global fatwas that are issued by crazed Imams.

      What we now have are closed communities of Muslims that practice customs that are in direct violation of our laws. Dearborn, MI comes to mind. They are not assimilating as US citizens and therefore their allegiances lie elsewhere, making them a possible threat to our national security.

      To call me a racist would be wrong just because one sees the elephant in the room and calls it out. Again, I do not hate Muslims. I do not expect that they will abandon their beliefs to comply with our laws and assimilate as citizens when they are dedicated to establishing Islam here and by force if necessary as stated publicly by there leaders and as written in the Qua

      Report Post » Melvin Spittle  
  • Aaron in Polk County
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 11:58am

    @Poverty.Sucks
    If you live your life trying to get to Heaven, when will you live your life on Earth?

    And a side bar about Poverty: No one (in America) should live in poverty. If you are a healthy Adult over the age 22 and making less than ~30, 000 dollars, you need to re-evaluate your priorities. America has so many opportunities to live a very comfortable life style anything less is self inflicted.

    Report Post » Aaron in Polk County  
    • lantzh
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 1:46pm

      yeah..you can live pretty damn confortable on welfare in this country…6.5% unemployemnt… a social system that keeps you dependant on it and unable to work…

      I only partially agree with this blanket statement…a lot depends on education, demographics and age.

      Report Post »  
  • Ron_WA
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 11:55am

    This is actually what was meant by “separation of church & state” (BTW that wording not in US Constitution). It keeps a govt. from making an official State religion that one is legally bound to follow.

    As bad as this is it actually is progress for that Islamic State.

    Report Post » Ron_WA  
  • completehorsesense
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 11:51am

    As it is written, Touch not my annointed. GOD Almighty be with this man in Jesus Christ name Amen
    completehorsesense.com

    Report Post »  
  • Aaron in Polk County
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 11:51am

    It is a sign from Gawd! Hallelujah!
    Not really, but I just wanted to fit in with the cool crowd for moment.

    No one suspects the Iranian Inquisition! (Monty Python reference here.)

    Look, Haji, if you live in a country that says “Believe in God or Die” Either believe in God the way they tell you or lie about it.

    Report Post » Aaron in Polk County  
    • VRW Conspirator
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:19pm

      that would be a complete showing of your lack of character, integrity, and ethics….

      Franklin said….thost that will not stand for something, will fall for anything….

      Report Post » VRW Conspirator  
    • hmblsrvnt
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 3:04pm

      Pay the eternal price so you can save your life no thanks. If anyone deny’s me before men I will deny him before my Father. Its Quite clear what hes going to do. His reward will be so great their is no question what he will do. Hope i get to make it to the mellenium. God Bless you brother see you soon.

      Report Post »  
    • FoundingFathersFan
      Posted on July 6, 2011 at 10:03am

      my friend, it is not about “fitting in with the ‘cool crowd’”. It is about the Lord caring for his own, and for having faith that God’s plan will come to fruition. This man has a faith that many of us could only hope to have – to believe that the Almighty will deliver him amongst the multitude of evil in his home country is a great inspiration to all believers. May God bless you :-))

      Report Post »  
    • Mister July
      Posted on July 6, 2011 at 12:02pm

      Spoken like one who truly has no understanding or regard for the sacred, or what it means to profess the truth even in the face of certain death. If you’d lived in the colonies during the American Revolution, I‘ve no doubt you’d have quickly bowed on bended knee and proclaimed, “Long live the King!” right along with Benedict Arnold, if only to save your own hide.

      Report Post » Mister July  
    • UPSETVET
      Posted on July 7, 2011 at 5:53pm

      Some who have never lived under a totalitarian dictatorship and a Muslim Sharia Law society have no idea what a Christian must face just to survive. The accused and condemnd pastor could renounce his faith in Jesus Christ as some suggest. That would be the easy way to avoid execution. But, if his faith is rea,l I don‘t believe he’ll renounce Jesus Christ. It takes charcter, integrity and honor to stand up for your beliefs. Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani needs the prayers of all Christians in his struggle for his Christian faith. May God give him the grace to stand firm and be a true witness for Jesus Christ in the country of Iran and the rest of the Muslim world.

      Report Post »  
  • Melvin Spittle
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 11:48am

    To denounce your faith in the face of death would indicate you had none. Are you willing to die for your faith? That is what separates the wheat from the chaff.

    Report Post » Melvin Spittle  
    • Elena2010
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 2:34pm

      @Melvin — no living your faith is the true acid test. If your faith can survive the “real world” and come out clean, then your faith is alive.

      Notice that muslims have only enough faith to kill themselves while killing others. That’s not faith. That’s a vain hope that one act can redeem a boatload of sin. That’s not living faith — that’s dying faith.

      Report Post » Elena2010  
  • solaveritas
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 11:45am

    The USA should have a clear international policy against any nation that does not guarantee and protect religious freedom. It is the most basic human right. No visas for anyone coming from a country where this right does not exist.

    Report Post » solaveritas  
    • old white guy
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 11:54am

      slovers, how about no visas or entry for those who’s religion tells them they have to kill non-believers.

      Report Post »  
    • mossbrain
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 11:59am

      I agree totally, no visas, no immigration from Muslim countries.

      Report Post » mossbrain  
    • Wayner
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 2:16pm

      @SOLAVERITAS I doubt if our government would get involved seeing as how our potus POS is a CINO (Christian in name only).

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 11:45am

    God be with you pastor, may he grace and bless you and sustain and protect you with His mighty hands around you and the angels of heaven as shields between you and the advesaries of the faith.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • Uncurable wound
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 11:44am

    Oh,lets just dance already.This wallflower crap is for liberals.
    I will say it again-I will not wrap my wife and daughter in a towel
    and I will NOT bow
    FREEDOM…

    Report Post »  
    • red_white_blue2
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:51pm

      Amen!!!

      Report Post » red_white_blue2  
    • Tyson
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 2:52pm

      Ditto,

      Bring on Turban boys! My second amendment rights trump your shariah law each and every time!

      Islam a religion of love and peace. yeah and the US dollar is stable and Rainbows and butterflys are crapped by baby Gnomes!

      Report Post » Tyson  
    • Blackop
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 7:25pm

      Easy to say from America. coward.

      Report Post »  
  • hightide
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 11:43am

    I demand that muslims repent. No, it their choice. Jesus saves.

    Report Post »  
    • Now this is Art
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:48pm

      PLEASE can we kill the muslims off NOW…before its too late?? mohammed was an evil dog. he murdered, raped, was a hate monger and was a pedophile. who the h3ll follows such a ‘person’? its NOT a religion…its a CULT. how much longer are we going to put up with this charade??? if the world becomes 100% muslim…YOU are doomed.

      Report Post » Now this is Art  
    • jellycupcake
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 2:46pm

      Good post !!! That’s the hold point…We present Christ…Your free to receive HIM or Not…we don’t kill you over your rejection of HIM or for HIM for that matter. Yes, I know before someone post, how about all those Christian’s who did just that !!! They were not Christian’s even though they called themselves that. The Gd of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob is a free will Gd….

      Report Post »  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 11:40am

    Islam, what a wonderful, loving religion.

    Report Post »  
    • old white guy
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 11:52am

      tedrunk. yep, isin’t islam wonderful. we just have to have more muslims in the country////// a sc/off

      Report Post »  
    • meamerican
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 1:07pm

      Would him repenting back to Islam be apostasy again, isn’t that illegal?

      Report Post » meamerican  
    • StargazerInSavannah
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 1:31pm

      Peaceful and loving..Sure that these are people the administration will love to snuggle. Need to send the Hill in pants suit with head bare to suck up to the grand pooper of Tehran. Might be able to smuggle some F4 parts in for them.

      Report Post »  
    • Ken
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 4:04pm

      Exactly! I know that I wouldn’t want any part of a god that murders his people!!!

      Report Post »  
    • dont tread
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 4:30pm

      That’s the kind of ignorance that will sink this country. When you lump all Muslims together as anti-American extremists.

      Report Post »  
    • Lamarr01
      Posted on July 6, 2011 at 1:33am

      The severe punishment for converting from Islam to Christianity supports the assertion Barack Hussein Obama is Muslim. His father was a Muslim so Obama assumes the religion of his father. If Obama had converted to Christianity, he would be punished by having his head cut off.

      Mohammed personally murdered over 800 of his disarmed captives. If anything to do with Islam is to be believed, Mohammed (the most beneficient and merciful) beheaded 500 non-believers who would not convert to Islam in a single day! The “Holy” Koran decrees that anyone converting from Islam should be hunted down and murdered.

      Report Post » Lamarr01  
    • Kitzie1963
      Posted on July 6, 2011 at 2:39pm

      Unfortunatly, it’s coming to our shores…did you read about the policeman in Oklahoma who was fired for not attending an Islamist seminar? Soon it will be burkhas and people walking around with missing limbs…because they chop off your hand if you steal and stone you if you don’t go along with their religion. God help us to open our eyes!

      Report Post »  
  • poverty.sucks
    Posted on July 5, 2011 at 11:38am

    If you were to die today, would you go to Heaven?

    poverty.sucks  
    • brownjer
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 11:54am

      Well, according to the book of Thessalonians, you’re going to have to wait until Jesus Christ returns, when he will gather together the saints. Then we go to heaven.

      Report Post »  
    • greatdanes
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:01pm

      Yes .

      Report Post » greatdanes  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:05pm

      Under Islamic law, repenting would involve the pastor apologizing and denouncing his conversion to Christianity.
      Stand STRONG in your Christian faith SIR.

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • DREDGE
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:07pm

      Try it out and let me know!!!

      Report Post »  
    • PlowMan
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:25pm

      My prayers go to the Lord for him. I know if he is doing the Lord’s work then he has a place in heaven if He decides to take him home. We don’t really know how good we have it here. I just hope our country doesn’t turn in a similar direction.

      Report Post » PlowMan  
    • famnam
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:32pm

      Yes!!

      Report Post » famnam  
    • I <3 the Constitution
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 12:42pm

      I would! I fostering and developing a deep relationship with Jesus Christ.

      Report Post » I &lt;3 the Constitution  
    • garyintheboro
      Posted on July 5, 2011 at 5:26pm

      Not until after Judgement day.

      Report Post »  
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