Iranian Regime Sentences US Pastor to Eight Years in Prison
Posted by Jim Hoft on Sunday, January 27, 2013, 11:14 AM
Pastor Saeed Abedini and his two children in this undated photo. (Christian Post)
The Iranian regime sentenced Christian pastor Saeed Abedini to eight years in prison today.
FOX News reported:
Christian pastor Saeed Abedini, an American imprisoned in Iran on charges of evangelizing, was sentenced this morning to eight years in prison.
According to the American Center for Law and Justice, Abedini was verbally sentenced in Tehran by Judge Pir-Abassi, known as the “hanging judge,” to eight years in prison for threatening the national security of Iran through his leadership in Christian house churches. He will serve the time in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison, known as one of the most brutal.
The evidence, the ACLJ reports, was based on Abedini’s activities primarily during the early 2000s, when house churches were not considered a threat in Iran.
Iran’s state news agency reported Monday that Abedini, who was born in Iran but now lives in Idaho, would soon be free. But the report, which came on the first day of Abedini’s trial, was seen by Abedini’s wife, Naghmeh, as just another cruel manipulation.
Abedini will serve his sentence in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison.
ADVERTISEMENT
`
Bubba commented:
Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time. It would make an interesting episode of “Locked up abroad.” Other than that, he shouldn’t be crying about what happened all that much. The guy was either prepared for this possibility, or he’s an unbelievable idiot.
I get a kick out of these “evangelists” who seem to think they’re playing games and just havin’ fun. When you venture into the heart of the 8th century (any backwoods Middle East muslim country that time forgot), and start undermining their central beliefs by challenging their religion (and let’s be absolutely clear that that is what he was doing), you’re nothing but a modern day crusader.
Hey, that’s fine. It’s admirable. Hell…it’s rightous. But it’s big time serious, and no joke.
I’m not sure what the point of your post is, Gateway. Outrage? Disgust? Indignation? Why? The guy is a clueless idiot if he thought what he was doing was the same as preaching in Dallas Texas. Holy war in the lion’s den, moron. Shut your yap, quit your crying, now that it played out the way you knew (or should have known) it probably would.
He should cheer up and rejoice in the leniency he received. The guy could have easily had his head cut off.
Sorry, but it’s true.
cavt commented:
Agree with Bubba–if your going to go into one of these radical muslim countries and preach christianity, be prepared.
Conservative Ken commented:
He is in good company. John the Baptist, Paul, and Daniel the Prophet.
mountainwilliam commented:
Hillary is so busy trying to get her butt out of the Benghazi mess that she has done nothing to help this Christian American and his family. It he is killed in that Iranian prison it will be on her hands. Oh well, the dead Americans in Benghazi don’t seem to worry her. In her own words “What does it matter?”
SnowSoul commented:
At times like this, I am reminded of this great song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltUgObysAqs
americanmom commented:
Bubba – In answer to your question, I don’t think this post was to promote any emotional response. I think the point of the post was merely to give information.
JDR-Taq commented:
#6 SnowSoul
Most excellent link. Never heard this band. Amazing.
Joel commented:
Cavt: The pastor is prepared and knew the risks, and so are the true believers in Christ.
Bubba: Please read below as a reminder for what we are ALL commanded to do as true believers in Christ…
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
Philippians 1:27-30 (NIV, 1984)
27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV, 1984)
11“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV, 1984)
14“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Source: http://biblos.com/
http://niv.scripturetext.com/matthew/5-11.htm
Dr Dude commented:
Who cares. Why would the US waste any resources to help this guy. He put himself there. Same as those younger folks(3) who “accidently” crossed into Iran. So what. We have enough problems with Obama and Co. killing our own people. Fast & Furious and Benghazi come to mind.
Lim Lynn commented:
Right about that Joel. Seems from old testament to new testament prophets are put to prison for irritating rulers of their day after these prophets pointed out their mistakes. No difference will be make by Saeed Abedini and it shows America foreign policies are beginning to show weakening about pressuring Iran to stop jailing certain Christian pastors. Nothing new under the Sun.
bg commented:
++
==
l.barney commented:
Mr President! Wait, put down that golf club! What are you going to do about this?”
answer: Absolutely nothing!
SnowSoul commented:
#8 JDR-Taq
Yeah, it’s a great song and they are a great Christian band. All of their lyrics are along those lines.
CommieJuice commented:
A Christian American, now why would 0bama, Eric Holder’s injustice department or the ACLU care about what happens to him? They didn’t even care about Christopher Stevens, Glen Doherty, Sean Smith and Tyrone Woods when they were attacked and murdered in Benghazi. They didn’t care about Brian Terry when he was murdered on the border, in fact they supplied the “assault” weapons that caused his death. They don’t give a GD about Abedini or anyone doing the “right” thing.
0bama is hoping for another Sandy Hook tragedy so he can stand on the graves of more children or more innocents to push his sick, twisted, anti-Constitutional agenda, and Eric holder is right there with him.
bg commented:
++
January 27, 2013
Where is the US Government in defense
of Pastor Abedini and religious freedom?
[History has shown that when Islamists see the defenders of freedom
withdraw from conflict with their supremacist goals, they push forward
even harder against religious minorities with abandon. This is not just
about one pastor, or one American citizen, it is about our credibility as
a nation, which defends religious liberty domestically and abroad.]
much more at link..
and they have the effing audacity to discuss Nobel Prizes after
sarc/
Benghazi, not to mention over 60,000 dead and more that have
fled in and from Syria?? we are one sick country trying to care for
even sicker countries.. it’s not going to be pretty, but at least the
pop that counts will know who wins American Idol.. /
==
Blacque Jacques Shellacque commented:
This is just another exhibit in the case against setting foot into one of those intolerant and unfriendly countries in the Middle East. It doesn’t matter whether an American in one of those countries has, or should have, asked for official help from our government. The fact of the matter is, a person that does not go into one of those regimes is unlikely to run afoul of them.
And for the hard-headed, it’s worth remembering that in those places, our influence is likely to be very, very limited.
Jerry C commented:
Bubba, the good little dhimmi. Read #4. Saeed Abedini is a real saint.
`