ISNA: archive photo: Hassan Ghareed

New Iranian Parliament causes Christians to pray for the country

Conservatives and reformists are vying for power in Iran's parliament. The results of Friday's elections raised concerns about the handling of religious freedoms, reports MNN.

Just last month, Parliament reviewed a draft law calling for the death penalty for apostasy. That caused concern among Christians, because it amounts to an anti-conversion law.

The draft law, which defines an apostate as "any Muslim who clearly announces that he/she has left Islam and declares blasphemy," is clearly aimed to deter conversion from Islam.

Christians make up less than one-half of one percent of the population. Open witness to Muslims is banned, and government spies monitor Christian groups.

Believers are also discriminated against in education, employment, and property ownership. Some of that discrimination has escalated into violence that includes assaults and murder.

Although missions are not allowed to enter Iran, a growing number of Muslims have converted to Christianity. Those who leave Islam often face serious danger to themselves and their families and may seek refugee status abroad.

Iran ranks third on the Open Doors' World Watch list--a compilation of the "Top 50" worst persecuting countries in the world.

Despite this tremendous oppression in Iran, many are coming to Christ.

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[03/17/2008]

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