Posted on 02/23/2012 11:11:07 AM PST by Qbert
Those close to the case of a Christian pastor in Iran who's facing a death sentence for refusing to recant his faith now fear he could be killed any day now.
The American Center for Law and Justice warned there is an "increased likelihood" that the execution order against Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been signed and could be carried out at any time.
"The likelihood that the Iranian regime will execute him increases by the day," ACLJ Executive Director Jordan Sekulow said.
He added that the situation is more "dire" than ever.
Meanwhile, several members of Congress have joined the fight to save Nadarkhani's life.
Rep. Joe Pitts and seven other congressmen introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives Feb.17, which condemned the Iranian government for its "persecution, imprisonment and sentencing" of Pastor Nadarkhani.
"Iran has become more isolated because of their drive for nuclear weapons, and the fundamentalist government has stepped up persecution of religious minorities to deflect criticism," Pitts told FoxNews.com.
"The persecuted are their own citizens whose only crime is practicing their faith," he said.
Almost 90 members of Congress previously signed a letter supporting Nadarkhani.
Nadarkhani was sentenced to death for apostasy in November 2011 by an Iranian court. However, international pressure forced the regime to reconsider the verdict.
Despite promises of a decision by Iran's supreme leader, Nadarkhani is still awaiting a ruling while in prison and facing continued pressure and mistreatment from authorities.
He has been in prison for more than two years and has refused to renounce his faith.
Pitts said it is time for Iran to decide whether they will live up to their international obligations as a member of the United Nations and a signatory of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Sekulow said the congressional resolution is an important step in keeping the pressure on Iran.
The Pastor is no good to Iran if he’s dead.
I predict they will use him as human shield and hope he dies at the hands of those who would deny them nuclear weapons. (ya, the ones they’re not developing....)
That means about as much to them as the Constitution does to Obama..........
" That means about as much to them as the Constitution does to Obama.........."
All the more reason to defund the UN.
Has Mr. Cool in the White House uttered anything about this? Thought so!
The heathens murder Christians in their countries without a second thought. If America did that to a Muslim, even once, we’d never hear the end of it. Talk about double standards.
“And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again.
Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. “
Hebrews 11:34 and following.
(1 Peter 4:12) Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
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