Posted on 04/13/2013 7:21:12 AM PDT by markomalley
The phenomenon of Christians worshipping at home concerns the regime and the number of arrests for converting from Islam to Christianity has increased.
The government of Tehran is launching a new offensive against the so-called home churches, small groups of Christians who meet in private houses to celebrate their faith because they cannon join the Churches officially recognised (and controlled) by the State, Iranian Christian news agency Mohabat reports. Khorasan, a government journal has published a long statement by Bahman Amiri Moghaddam, chief of police for the Khorasa-Ravi province, in which he says security forces “had taken care of a group of people that had formed a network of home churches in Mashhad and will prosecute all people involved.”
The names of the people arrested have not been published. According to the chief of police, their activity involves “promoting superstitions and corrupt beliefs during their evening meetings. They bewitch young people and lure them towards their faith with their polite ways.” Mohabat reports that the aim of the news is to provoke but also to create alarm start a sort of witch hunt in response to a phenomenon which is clearly causing concern among leaders.
A while back, Ati News, which according to Iranian dissidents is linked to government security agencies, published a report which stated that home churches had been identified in “Islamic” cities such as Qom and Mashhad. Mashhad is a pilgrimage destination for Shiite faithful and is the birthplace of Iran's supreme leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei. This detail is naturally aimed at triggering the reader's indignation. The report affirms that “these places are rented Church leaders, to concern young people.” It goes on to say that “Since everyone knows Christians have religious buildings where they can go and worship, this comes across as a scheme to corrupt and cause division among religions.”
According to Iranian Christian sources, the number of arrests of people who convert from Islam to Christianity, has gone up in recent years. This has meant that many converts do not have free access to Iran's official religious buildings which are carefully watched by security services, in order to verify new arrivals....Consequently, Christian converts prefer to meet at home, in small groups, to pray, celebrate, study the Bible and follow catechesis and theology courses.
The Internet has definitely played a part in sparking great interest and curiosity among young people for spiritual experiences that are different to those offered by the Ayatollah regime. The rise of home churches is one of the practical effects of this feeling. Over the past years the regime has been constantly preoccupied by a “wild” Christianity that is out of control. Now though it's more than just concern. About a month ago, Jawan News, one of the Guardians of the Revolution news agencies spoke of a growth throughout the country and of the presence of two hundred home churches in the city of Mashhad alone. Another of the regime's representatives claimed that Christian booklets and leaflets are handed out free to families in many areas.
“....home churches, small groups of Christians who meet in private houses....”
We are preparing ourselves now - back to the 1st-century church.
Getting our congregants used to this style of worship - so when that time comes, it will be a fairly seemless transition.
“Getting our congregants used to this style of worship...”
Smart. Very smart.
This book is about setting up networks of small groups:
The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations
http://starfishandspider.com
I haven’t read it yet but it is supposed to be good.
It is coming here as soon as Obama makes it illegal for Catholic Priests not to marrry people of the same sex.
At the same time these Islamic slimes are persecuting Christians they crap all over themselves if someone burn a Koran.
A truly great religion stands on its own without having to attempt to eliminate its rivals.
islam demonstrably cannot do this.
“It is coming here as soon as Obama makes it illegal for....”
Not just Catholic priests, but any minister. Ous have already been told to be prepared to go to jail.
Homosexual couples will go from church to church asking to be married - if they are refused, the pastor will go to jail. It’s coming soon - much sooner than one might think.
I understand that home churches resulted in huge growth in Christianity in China under a repressive regime, though not, of course, without some horrible persecution in the process.
Catholic ping!
I not suprise Mark
What started it home satellite dishes thanks to TBN Daystar in SO CAL area
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