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Subscribe to RSSAn American pastor who has been jailed in Iran since September has been sentenced to eight years in prison, the U.S. State Department said Sunday.
Spokesman Darby Holladay said the department is calling on Iran to respect Saeed Abedini's human rights and release him.
Earlier this month, Iran's semi-official news agency, ISNA, quoted Abedini's attorney, Nasser Sarbazi, as saying his client stood trial in the Revolutionary Court on charges of attempting to undermine state security by creating a network of Christian churches in private homes.
The pastor, who is of Iranian origin but lives in Boise, Idaho, has rejected the charges.
"Mr. Abedini's attorney had only one day (Jan. 21) to present his defense, so we remain deeply concerned about the fairness and transparency of Mr. Abedini's trial," Holladay said.
'Devastated'
Following the court presentation, ISNA quoted Sarbazi as saying the court would issue its verdict later, and that Abedini would be allowed to leave Iran and meet his family in the U.S. after posting bail.
"The promise of his release was a lie," said the pastor's wife, Naghmeh. "With today's development, I am devastated for my husband and my family. We must now pursue every effort, turn every rock, and not stop until Saeed is safely on American soil."
Her comments were provided by the Washington-based American Center for Law and Justice, which focuses on constitutional and human rights law around the world. The center is representing the pastor's family in the United States.
Holladay said the State Department is in close contact with Abedini's family and actively engaged in the case. Abedini and his wife have two children.
"We condemn Iran's continued violation of the universal right of freedom of religion," Holladay said.
The Associated Press
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As the march toward the war with Iran continues. I am willing to bet that the next right wing Hawk that gets into office (and it will happen) will start a war. It's the same thing as Iraq. The Democrats will sanction to weaken the country and say "look, we are trying to make peace". Then the Republicans come in and say "they are not cooperating, war is the only option".
It would be nice if the "Associated Press" stopped writing stories under the guise of anonymity and started attaching names to their propaganda articles designed to inflame public opinion in support of a war.
With all the articles about Iran, you would forget that there are almost 200 countries in the world. But we are led to believe that the Iranians, like the Iraqis, pose a threat to the US.
This is how effective propaganda works. You just keep pounding on a common theme unrelentingly over a long period of time, and it will become a fact in the minds of people, because most people are incapable of seeing through it.
Just like your propaganda???
Different countries have different laws. If you break them, you go to jail. Christians seem to think that they are above the law, and what they are doing is more important. Not that I agree with the laws of Iran, but it is their country, not Boise, Idaho. I'm sure they reacted the same way I do when a Jehovah's Witness comes to my door. In the words of Jack Nicholson, "Go sell crazy somewhere else, we're all stocked up here."
Cory what bothers me about this story is how countries like Iran or Saudi Arabia can export their brand of religion but make illegal in their own countries for alternative religions. Saudi Arabia is particularly bad about this, they fund and export their own particular extremist brand of Islam which is a big reason for the terrorism around the world today.
Thank you... I couldn't have said it better.
About 35 years ago, I took a trip into Mexico with my grandfather. It was interesting but uneventful. The place looked trashed. About 20 years ago, I took a second trip into Mexico with my father. It was scary and gross. I won't visit Mexico in my lifetime again. However, Brazil looks awfully sweet. :)
Square dude
It does not seem fair, but it is the way it is in Iran. What happens outside of Iran regarding Islamic extremists is up to the discretion of the country it is occurring in. Meaning, if they are break the laws of the country, then they too should be arrested. The pastor knew the law, knew the possible outcome of his mission, and chose to do it anyway.
And if Christians want to break the laws, or challenge laws in other countries, they have to be prepared to accept the consequences. I would rather Iran and Saudi Arabia have freedom of religion in this regard, but they don't. If a missionary believes he has to put his life or freedom in jeopardy to spread his message, and maybe be a martyr, it's his choice. I'm personally not interested in people with their, "my imaginary god is bigger than your imaginary god" fights.
Cory, you are correct provided one thinks in only a limited and surface fashion. Liberty and freedom are the natural states of human beings. No government has the right to oppress its people. That is true whether or not governments choose to believe it is true. That is why there is an eternal struggle throughout human history to achieve freedom from oppression. We here in the United States have enshrined these human rights into our Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights does not grant rights to the people from the state. It acknowledges that those rights belong to the people and the government has no authority to infringe on those rights. The people in many other countries are not so fortunate.
It takes the special hubris of someone safely ensconsed in the greatest democratic republic in history to say to others that they should suck it up and live with it because that's the law over there. Were you living in Iran, I would imagine you would have a different opinion.
Nax, Would you care more if the issue were freedom of speech or freedom of assembly versus freedom of religion? Or are you so nice and cozy as an American Isolationist that you simply don't care about the struggle of those less fortunate than we are?
It takes the special hubris of someone safely ensconsed in the greatest democratic republic in history to say to others that they should suck it up and live with it because that's the law over there. Were you living in Iran, I would imagine you would have a different opinion.
Joemike
Not suck it up, but attempt to change it yourself as a nation. If the laws are that unpopular, the citizens of said country should have a hand in it then, right? My stance on the matter is simple. No religion, no reason to hate each other. If you don't believe my theory I would ask you to try something for one week. Every time you watch or read the news, and you post on a story of violence somewhere abroad or even here in the states, take the religious aspect out of it completely, then ask yourself, "Would this still have happened?"
Being that he was an American citizen, none of that applies to this guy does it? Sad to see him prison, but he brought it on himself. Just like those dumb@sses who were "hiking" in Iran. You go around the world being stupid and stupid has consequences. He should treat this as a learning experience.
square dude “what bothers me about this story is how countries like Iran or Saudi Arabia can export their brand of religion but make illegal in their own countries for alternative religions…” First we must acknowledge that every country has a right to govern differently that includes religious practices. Second, we must be mindful of our nation’s history Native American’s for example were systematically annihilated in many cases based on their religious beliefs and practices…
Coming soon to America.
Making illegal to be Christian.
Everything else is a-okay.
When the Iranian people become fed up enough to overthrow their oppressive government and kick their as$es to the curb, then they will get stones to do it. So let THEM have at it. THEIR business, THEIR problem. NOT ours. Period.
Until then, stay out of there, or any other hostile Muslim country; whether you're Christian, athiest, secularist, Jew, Hindu, missionary, contractor, doctor or whatever the f*ck you are. Read the State Department Travel Warnings, that is; if you can read. We at home are NOT about to start World War III over rescuing you.
How about if we treat muslimes in the USA the same way Christians are treated in iran? Prison or deportation. The religion of tolerance and peace spreads its evil doctrines, death, destruction and despair as a virus and plague upon the earth.
Visitors to another country are obligated to obey that country's laws. Visitors are also obligated to assess their safety and risk, especially in country's where the Gov't does like certain behavior or propoganda.
As many commentors said, this guy deliberately and knowingly wanted to introduce his religion into another society. I guess we could say that his propoganda didn't match theirs. He brought this upon himself by pushing his beliefs; the same thing they do. But he looses. Now Iran has to feed, cloth and house him in jail for many years and get negative publicity for "violating human rights" at the same time.
It would be better to let him go - kick him out of the country without all the fanfare. Enjoy a country for what it is and learn from it, but don't intrude and disturb it. Religion has caused more wars, deaths and trouble in the history of mankind than anything else and continues to do so.
A fool travels to Iran to spread religion... end of story....in other news, a frog farted.
this guy went to an Islamic state to promote Christianity.... the entire government is based on Islam.... and he's surprised when he ends up in jail?
"That is why there is an eternal struggle throughout human history to achieve freedom from oppression." I agree in principle. You make some very valid points, JoeMike. I just wish this guy wasn't wasting his altruism on something as harmful and useless as religion.
No American should be in Iran in the first place.
Yes Square Dude, somehow America doesn't get fair trade. No wonder we are stuck economically. Now we are spiritually stuck as well.
Yes Martin. I'll be the first one to stand for native Indians. But at least that was 150 years ago when the whole world was somewhat backwards and countries were isolated. We admitted to the assaults on Native culture and people and are not proud of it as a nation, just like we admitted to slavery on blacks (well at least in the South). Today there are Internet, airplanes, radios, phones......
There is still a slavery issue but it took a different form.
good morning, HOTTICKET...
I'm not sure I agree with this. If it were true, humans would not be clustered in groups where "getting along" means surrendering some of that liberty and freedom to the will of the group in return for the security of numbers. And when you have numbers, you must have an authority in charge or there is chaos.
At any rate, when in Rome.... I'm sorry the guy must endure eight years from home, but he must have felt his calling was worth the risk, and he must have known it was a risk.
Scrembabe! How are ya?
Yep. Exactly! I feel badly about his situation too, so I apologize if I sounded crude to anyone here in my last post, but it really frosts me when people go into these dangerous, pokey dunk ratholes and expect our guys and women in uniform to bail their butts out when they get into trouble. And I'm NOT singling out just religious people here either, Screm. That goes also goes for contractors working for big oil hoping to make a buck (off of US, ultimately) and these misguided medical personnel who would, frankly, should be serving our poor kids and seniors in need of medical care RIGHT HERE in this Country, if they TRULY felt THAT altruistic enough to help people.
Islam does not accept any religion but Islam; it is total obedience to the Koran, if another religion conflicts with the Koran, it must be destroyed; Islam is a way of life, not just a religion; freedom of speech, freedom of religion freedom of the press is not and will not be tolerated by any true followers of Islam; and yet for some unknown reason we believe we can get along with these people, we are taking in over 10 thousand per month in this country; we have lost our freaking minds .
I know, HOTTICKET.
On another thread, I'm making comments about a family... two grandparents and a grandchild (don't know the age of the grandchild)... who went to Mexico a month ago, driving, and haven't been heard from since.
A relative is upset, saying she isn't getting any satisfactory cooperation from the US or Mexican authorities.
Really????
The US government has issued a travel advisory against going to Mexico, they go anyway, disappear in one of the most dangerous areas where cartels are known to operate, and you're dissatisfied because you aren't getting enough information? I mean, like, gee, lady, people who LIVE in that country have relatives who disappear all the time and they never see or hear from them again. What do you expect?
In a way, it's kind of funny/sad that Iran, the country we love to hate, would probably allow this man's family to visit him, and at least they know where he is, while the family in Mexico, the country that is our "ally" and "friend" is a proverbial black hole when people cross the border and become lost.
Nailed it, and into a country we're doing absolutely NOTHING about protecting ourselves from an invasion by, no less. Yet we're so obsessed about the affairs in these third world cat litter boxes seven thousand miles away.
Excellent post, Screm.
Square Dude, while I do agree with you, we cannot stop anyone from preaching their religion(within certain limitations), this is part of freedom of religion. By the same token we have the freedom to reject their religion. If we close our doors to our freedoms we become no better than Iran. Why do people keep going to these closed countries, violate their laws and then expect us to get them out. If people come to the US and break our laws we hold them accountable(if it is serious), we can be lax on this but that doesn't mean that other countries will be as lax, specially when you go to a theocracy and preach against their religion.
As a Christian, this pastor knew what he was getting into. But he was willing to take the risk as he thought he was hoping he could make a difference in the lives of a people group he cared about.
If I went over there and ended up in jail then yes, that's just the way it goes... But that doesn't mean however that we as fellow Americans should turn our backs on him. Nor (I grant you) does it mean that his family should go around crying "foul!" He & they knew the risks.
But WE as Americans should also have his back and do whatever we can to help lessen his plight. Because (if the truth was known) he is propably in jail today for being an American as much as he is in jail for being a Christian.
Arosities and violations of basic human rights should never be condoned because, "Yuck, yuck that's the way they do it over there...."
People have been going behind "enemy lines" all over this world since time began, many for humanitian reasons....do we turn our back on them.... "Yeah, they should of known not to vacation in Mexico; OR they should of known not to try to try to spread ideas of American freedom in the USSR...." Are we really that cold and uncaring?
Advice to all non-Muslims.... Let the Muslims have their s##t hole countries ruled by Mullahs and stay the hell out. I've been to those countries... they are the arm pits of the world.
While I don't agree with Iran's laws, the point is it's THEIR laws. If you visit another country, you obey the laws of that country. If you don't, expect to be put in jail. It's pretty simple. You really don't even have to bring religion into the equation.
If the Iranians want the laws changed, they will do so. They already have several times, they can do it again if they wish.
Let's not be hypocritical folks .. how many of you complaining about the fact this guy is in jail for breaking their laws ALSO complain that illegal immigrants are here breaking OUR law? What's the difference?
To answer one post specifically ...
No, you are right. They should not be CONDONED. But there are atrocities (I think you mean) going on in almost every third world country (and some FIRST world ones). Can we stop them all? No. Can we fix the world? No. What we can do is lead by example (we need to work on that).
I agree with many of the other posters - this guy knowingly went into a Muslim country with a theocratic government and he is surprised that he ended up in prison. We do not have to agree with Iran's laws, but anyone who is going to travel there better learn to respect them or expect to pay the consequences. I refuse to feel sorry for this pastor. He put himself in this situation and now he is paying the price. Our government should not risk confrontation to try and free him. They can try diplomatic channels is they want, but even that should be at the governments discretion, not out of any obligation. The US government should not spend any money trying to buy this guys freedom by paying "bail." In their terms "bail" is really nothing more than the extortion of fund to secure the person's release, it is not bail in the sense the term is used here as a way to guarantee a person appears for trial. This is evident by the fact that they still talk about bail even after someone has been convicted. The US government should not pay extortion to obtain this pastors freedom. If his family or some other private organization like the catholic church wants to pay it, that is there business, but the US government should not use taxpayer money to get this guy out. This guy was well aware of the mindset of the country he was traveling to and the US government has issued numerous travel warnings basically telling Americans to stay out of the country. This pastor chose to ignore those warnings and he, and only he, is responsible for the situation he is in. The time has long past come when Americans who travel overseas need to lose their arrogance and recognize that when they travel to another country they have to abide by the laws of that country or suffer the consequences. Otherwise you will pay the price and it is not incumbent on our government to bail you out of trouble you got yourself into by disobeying another country's laws.
The Apostle Paul witnessed in prison. My prayer is that this man of God calls upon that knowledge and strength if he must stay, and call upon the Lord for this power.
I'm sure (he being a man of God) he has studied this in the past. I'm also sure he will continue to look for opportunities to witness within the walls of prison - although the authorities might keep him segregated so he can't attempt to proselytize.
BTW... It is a certainty he knew what he was getting in to with this work. Missionaries are trained before committing to a trip as to the possible outcomes.
oh well you roll the dice you took the gamble, Now he can rot in an Iranian prison for 8 years.
ALL Religions are the root of ALL evil
@ Rob-787413
I turn my backs on all that enter the middle east. You know what you're getting into, you made the choice, you deal with the ramifications.
I will never back the causes of any organized religion. That is a personal pursuit, personal choice, and if it means you end up in an Iranian prison then you got what you deserved..
That's all pretty much false since not only are there both Christians and Jews in Iran, but Christianity and Judaism (and certain other faiths like Buddhism) have protected status under Islam ("dhimmi") and are considered members of the same core faith.
What's prohibited in Iran is proselytizing anything but Islam, and the pastor had to know that.
I find it as difficult to feel sorry for this person as I would for someone trying to go to North Korea to spread religious beliefs, which is to say not at all! I am sure this guy knew what he was doing and what he was risking and went anyway. Is this a matter of bravery or arrogance on his part? Take your pick. I'll choose arrogance. While I do not really care for Iranian government policies, this is a matter of the internal affairs of the Iranian government and it's legal system. The man made his bed and now has to lay in it. I do feel somewhat sorry for his family though.
Square Dude,
We are the idiots that let them export their garbage into our country! So, who is the jerk here?
Skrekk;
I have no idea where you get your information, Saudi-Arabia, Iran both prohibit any other religion, Egypt, once a catholic nation is heading down that road, as well as Libya, Syria(when the radical Muslim take over) soon Iraqi, Tunisia and Algeria(also once mostly Catholic); Islam, all other religions are infidel, and you must convert them or falling to do so, you are allowed to kill them.
We're talking here about Iran, not Saudi Arabia, and you seem totally clueless on the issue.
Ask yourself why Iran's constitution reserves a seat in parliament for a Jewish member, if Judaism is prohibited? Why are there 25 synagogues in Tehran alone? Why are there several Catholic, Presbyterian and Assemblies of God churches in Tehran? That's not to say that there isn't persecution of religious minorities at various times (especially against the Baha'i), but the comments you made are simply false and profoundly ignorant.
Seriously dude, don't comment until you get an effing clue.
CIA used new religious movements as a cover in Eastern Europe during the Cold War, and they might be doing the same thing now in the Islamist countries. Would not surprise me one bit.
You're kidding me, right? The natural states of human beings are oppression or resistance to oppression on a sliding scale. Where on earth did you get that strange idea that freedom and liberty are the natural states? The guy with the biggest stick rules. If that guy happens to believe in freedom and liberty that's great; more often than not he doesn't and that requires people to resist his oppression. Once they have thrown off the oppressors shackles, only constant vigilance prevents the return of oppression.
Ol_Doc
Just to add to what you stated above. Historically speaking, when the oppressed have thrown off their shackles, far too many times they in turn eventually wind up becoming the oppressors themselves. Seems to be a repeating cycle.
skrekk;
you can't be that naive; what is practiced is what counts, there is one Jewish temple left in Iran; it is in a persons house, all Catholic churches have been closed or torn down, the remaining catholics meet in secret, and if known to be Catholic or Jewish or Christian can not get a job in Iran, look at the facts not the propaganda from Muslim sympathizers.
Ed-NavDoc
"Meet the new boss,
Same as the old boss."
Ol_Doc
You got that right.
The way I see it, and this goes for ANY US citizen going into to a country, that has hostile relations with the US, to do something they know is against the law in that country, should be left to that country's justice system, and if for some reason our government intervenes and somehow springs the idiot, this moron should have his passport permanently revoked and be publicly ridiculed for knowingly committing a crime in a country that has tenuous diplomatic relations with us and giving that country even an ounce of bargaining leverage.
Too often, it seems the dipsticks get sprung and come home to a heroes welcome.. I think that ridiculous crap needs to stop. In fact, I think they deserve some jail-time here and hefty fine on top of it. A citizen that takes upon themselves to knowingly go and commit a serious crime in another country that could damage or undermine any diplomatic efforts with that country should honestly be charged with treason.
All of your statements are completely false and really ignorant.
The only thing that happened a few years ago is that several old and unused "synagogues" in a Tehran slum were razed to make way for new development, and these structures weren't free-standing synagogues but were part of houses or businesses. They had no real historical value.
shreek; wow, go check with the Vatican web-site, all the Catholic churches in Iran are now close, torn down or boarded up, where on earth are you getting this mis-information, from iran TV.
What bothers me the most is the crowd of posters who state that Islamic republic of Iran has the right to impose their own laws persecuting other religions at will (fair or not) but would scorn Christians and Jews and calling them "intollerant" towards muslims. If this ever happend in Israel hell would break loose. Is liberalism a disease, a warped belief or just being a hypocrite is good enough?
skrekk - There are no synagogues left in Tehran, free standing or not. There are no churches either. People practice their faith by gathering in their houses. Jobs are non existent for non muslims, unless the country needs them very badly, i.e, doctors and engineers. If anyone else on this board buys your muslim propaganda and lies, I don't, I know Iran, I still have my friends living there. Most of the family were wiped out by your ayatolah muslim murderers who just sent ahmadinejad into orbit. If this travesty happened in Israel you would have had a field day with it, let alone defend it.
Here in America we have freedom of religion, especially of Christianity or maybe Judaism.
But not so much for Muslims and some other fringes.
Yet we have what we say is a Democracy or a Republic.
If and when we get the same Conservative Theocracy that Iran and other countries have, we might get more suspicious of anything except for Christianity.
Iran has a Conservative Muslim Theocracy, so their suspicions are justified in their minds.
Huh, a quicker response than on Benghazi.
Well, according to this website ... the Catholic church is there! Complete with Archbishop Ignazio Bedini
http://www.gcatholic.com/dioceses/country/IR-type.htm#metr
False, as a simple google will demonstrate.
Seriously, are all you Islamophobes so gullible and clueless?
Middle East /= Basic Human Rights, EVER.
Agreed. However, if the far christian right gets their way.. then a lot of our basic human and civil rights would be in jeopardy as well. The far right is in alignment with treating gays/lesbians like second class citizens, telling women what they can and cannot do with their own bodies, and ensuring that RELIGION is part of the secular laws of our nation.
Pffft. The far right can't do jack squat. It is middle America and the Independents that make things happen. Don't get your panties in a bind, I'm just making an observation-what do you think people are going to think when pictures of gay rights parades in San Fran with freaks dancing around with strap on dildos on their foreheads, dressed in speedo's sporting a hard on do to your image? In my posts I have always sided with gay rights, just an observation.
stonepipe2
I'll only say this.... have you ever been to Las Vegas or New Orleans? Compare those environments to what you just described occuring in San Francisco. I think you'll find umm... similarities and in the heterosexual community.
P.S. It's not my image, its a simple fact that the far right will use those same images (above and in your comment) to deny basic equal, civil, and human rights. The far right DOES make things happen too.
It is interesting how the so called open minded liberal goes bat@!$%# insane if you mention Christianity.
Even more interesting that if someone mentions the far christian right, they instantly THINK that their religious freedom is risk... when in reality, a "liberal' supports the First Amendment. However, a 'liberal' supports the founding fathers:
“Religious institutions that use government power in support of themselves and force their views on persons of other faiths, or of no faith, undermine all our civil rights. Moreover, state support of an established religion tends to make the clergy unresponsive to their own people, and leads to corruption within religion itself. Erecting the 'wall of separation between church and state,' therefore, is absolutely essential in a free society.”
― Thomas Jefferson
IAT- agree totally let's leave the Constitution and what the founding fathers left us. Including the Second Amendment.
well said ItsAboutTime.
About time, you need a helmet
Yeah, no, I don't really see any prospect whatsoever of the "far right" successfully installing a campaign of discrimination in our government. And considering we JUST had an election in which the Republicans failed to secure power, I'm a little less concerned about what the far right is doing in your imagination and more so with what our current administration is doing right now, while in power.
I agree that he took his life in his own hands by going in there. He knew the Iranians are NOT a free country, and to take "The Word" into a Muslim hot spot is just not real smart.
BUT, there are already Christians in Iran, so my question is; are they all in danger of being prosecuted? What did he do differently, other than being a US citizen, that other Christian Iranians aren't doing?
I don't really see that this is a "Republican" or Democrat" issue. Its an American one, Iran should not be allowed to prosecute US citizens at will, and they should have some seriously damning proof, if our people are detained.
Only if they proselytize.
Americans tend to forget that many muslim countries in the world prohibit missionary work. While I don't condone Iran's treatment in this case, the pastor was (I am sure) well aware of the probable outcome of his work. While many countries in the region turn a blind eye to missionaries (and don't prosecute), the rules and laws are pretty clear. This will hopefully work out in the end ...
Bottom line is that you can't fix stupid.
Specifically, you can't fix theocracy.
You can burn it to the ground, stamp on the ashes, and install a new regime, but good luck fixing it.
Maybe American Citizens just need to stay the hell out of these countries.
The article says the pastor is of Iranian origin.
Maybe American citizens should keep their religious beliefs to themselves.
wolf, just wished the opposite was true as well. Would like to keep those Muslim citizens out as well. If we passed a law preventing Muslims immigrating to the US imagine the uproar.
square dude, this man was jailed for trying to convert people...not for just being there. There is a difference. What he did was against the Iranian laws. Not for just being in Iran.
US is waging war on Iran. Iran is just retaliating.
So, what, sanctions and spying are the same as warfare now? Or do you really not see the difference between trade sanctions and scorched Earth?
Of course there would be an uproar...this is the United States of America. We don't deny a person entrance based on their religious beliefs. Although I'm sure the "American Taliban" would love to more closely align our laws to a more restrictive "Sharia or Biblical" law; fortunately we are still a secular nation.
Theocracy is evil. It always has been and always will be. It doesn't matter if the theocracy is "de facto" or more blatant. It doesn't matter if the theocracy is Muslim or Jewish or Christian.
But it does seem that Muslim theocracies are particularly intolerant of other religions.
But that's what a theocracy is all about - and if there is one thing no religion wants it's competition.
Why do you think the christians have that "Thou shall have no other gods before me" commandment in their list of 10? They don't want competition either.
All the people means all the donations. If there's competition, someone else gets the money.
Kind of like libtards
Fortunately we have nothing to judge by. Previous Christian theocracies (or at least defacto Christian theocracies) showed no more tolerance than current Muslim ones (think inquisitions, witch hunts, Jewish persecutions, new world conquests, manifest destiny, etc). I personally would not like to see a modern day Christian theocracy...one group of fanatics is more than enough thank you very much.
And you are an idiot.
Why is this pastor so resistant to accepting God's will? Clearly, this is what The Lord had planned for him.
my thoughts exactly.
He becomes a US Citizen to get away from Iran then goes back to visit. He had an idea something like this could happen. Maybe others will learn from his mistakes
There's an Iranian idea we should follow.
Jail the psycho overly-religious people? I'm all for it.
MJ1986-To your point, one of my favorite quotes goes something like; "The reason for the growth of Christianity in the world is due to the lack of an insane asylum in Jerusalem". Apparently Jeebus' followers are equally insane for believing what they believe and trying to convince others to accept their insanity.
Because intolerance backed by the full authority of the state can solve any problem, amiright? And you just know we don't have enough people in prison already. I mean, just look at those states that practice institutionalized religious persecution! Don't they all look like lovely places to live?
Nothing on the bombing at Fordo? No questions of Mr. Menendez about his prostitutes? Good old NBC, if it isn't covered in syrup, you won't find it here.
Stop allowing missionary's to travel to countrys to spread christian beliefs. They have always interfeared with cultures, bringing trinkets and food to people who have nothing so they can promote christianty. Then as soon as they are threatend, our military is sent in to rescue them and and take down ones who would want to keep their beliefs and country unchanged.
It's the same as the religous right as screaming about in this country, my country, they want to take it back to some time in the past when they were all powerful, and put people to death for thinking differant.
And the problem with this is... what? There's nothing wrong with "interfering" in culture. Culture is not some sacred, all-important aspect that must be frozen in time, isolated from the outside world for fear of contamination. I mean, if it was, then our country would probably still be in that time in the past where the religious right was all-powerful and put people to death for thinking different. Aren't you glad that foreign ideas "interfered" in that cultural tradition?
He is Iranian and knew full well what he was getting into. He asked for it and I hope they keep him. He is lucky they didn't execute him. Kick the dog until it bites you and then complain about getting bit. Idiot.
Sad, but going to crap hole countries like Iran and North Korea are DUMB ideas if you do not value your life.
Enjoy your extended vacation in the paradise of Iran! I would not come and fight to save a dummy like this guy.
Regime Change for Iran!
I wouldn't expect that President Stinky (bo) or his Sack of State Hillary "what difference does it make" Clinton, the wife of BJ, to do anything about it. They respect the iranian regime's rights to enforce their laws.
I wonder if Hillary and BJ still think that Stinks was born in Kenya. Remember that??? Beej and Hill started that whole thing.
Awww, another con loser.
president stinky? i didn't know 10-year-olds were allowed to comment on these boards.
What universal right of freedom of religion? I'm surprised the people making this claim haven't organized a protest in Tehran...anyway all the pastor has to do is pray to god to massacre the Iranians and fly him to the US on a magic carpet...problem solved...
Iran is a theocratic dictatorship. Freedom of religion is not tolerated there. If anyone wishes to dispute this, please reference Iran's treatment of Bahais, Christians, Jews or Zoroastrians. Any outside activity from any religious group outside of Shiah Islam is dealt with swiftly with the objective of containment and suppression.
It is hard to believe that anyone could be so naive as to think a country that we are trying to destroy would not see missionary worker as a agent of their enemy. Maybe he needs those 8 years to clear his head.
Ya gotta love organized religion.
Tax U.S. churches, synagogues, and mosques now!
This pastor got what he had coming.
Next!
Even the neanderthals in iran recognize that christianity is a threat.
Join the Freedom From Religion Foundation and help fight religious idiocy. FFRF.ORG
Iran, like every other Arab country, considers Christians to be a threat to their government security. Americans think Muslims are a threat to world security, but let one crybaby Muslim complain about being oppressed and half a million of them immediately threaten to kill Christians and Americans. Which one is the real threat? Muslims have always lied about their 'tolerance' of other religions.
Iran is not an Arab country.
"Americans" do not think Muslims are a threat to world security. Only people who can't be bothered to recognize the difference between the peaceful, ordinary majority of Muslims and the extremist minority think that.
Outside of chickens, humans are some of the dumbest lot on the planet. What did this 'preacher' expect?...that he could slip in under the cover of looking "Iranian" and plant the seeds of a christian revolt??
Sounds like he DID intend to stir the pot. Now he wants the US to bail him out. Forget him. Nasty break.
These nuts keep going where they aren't welcome and doing what is prohibited there and then expect us to rise up in indignation and rescue them.
US arrests iranians in the US and Iran arrests americans in Iran. They both level accusations against the arrested.
That's how it seems to work, although the US has mostly made bogus arrests of Iranian civilians and Iranian diplomats who were legally in Iraq, and then used them as political bargaining chips against Iran. Iran then responds in kind by using any Iranian-Americans who happen to be visiting.
In this particular case I'm not aware of any international political events which would trigger an arrest, and I suspect the concern is less about proselytizing than it is a fear of subversive political organizing.
8 years is way excessive.