Sen. Ted Cruz pleads on behalf of imprisoned pastor Saeed Abedini

Washington Examiner ^ | November 10, 2013

[SoConPubbie]

On Sunday, November 10, Anugrah Kumar of The Christian Post reported that Sen. Ted Cruz continues in his efforts to help U.S. pastor Saeed Abedini, who is serving an eight year prison sentence in Iran for allegedly undermining national security.

Abedini was arrested in 2012 because several years ago he helped start about 100 small Christian churches in Iran before he moved to the U.S. and became a pastor at a church in Boise, Id. Abedini is an American citizen now, but authorities in Iran seized his passports and sentenced him to house arrest anyway before moving him to Evin Prison in Tehran. He was recently transferred to the notoriously violent Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj, according to a report by Jordan Sekulow of The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ).

While Christianity is legally protected as a minority religion in Iran, in reality Iranian Christians are often persecuted and arrested for practicing their beliefs. In one recent case, two Christians were sentenced to 80 lashes because drinking wine during communion is a violation of Muslim Sharia law.

At one point, Abedini was facing a death sentence for converting from Islam to Christianity. Muslims consider this to be apostasy. In Iran, anyone who is accused of apostasy may be hanged thanks to a law that was passed in 2008.

Rebecca Shimoni Stoil of The Times of Israel provided some background about Abedini's case in an article that was published on Sunday, November 10.

[SoConPubbie]

"If we must have an enemy at the head of Government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible, who will not involve our party in the disgrace of his foolish and bad measures." - Alexander Hamilton "We don't intend to turn the Republican Party over to the traitors in the battle just ended. We will have no more of those candidates who are pledged to the same goals as our opposition and who seek our support. Turning the Party over to the so-called moderates wouldn’t make any sense at all." -- President Ronald Reagan "A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice." - Thomas Paine 1792 "It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." - Samuel Adams "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." - Samuel Adams

[SoConPubbie]

Ted Cruz Ping!

If you want on/off this ping list, please let me know.

Please beware, this is a high-volume ping list!

[MeshugeMikey]

I heard Jay discussing this with the Pastor’s wife on the radio, and evidently the prison hes now been sent to is where the iranians send those who they expect to be rid of in short order. lots of unexplained prison deaths there.

the big O allegedly spoke to the new iranian leader about this.....

fat chance.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks SoConPubbie.

At one point, Abedini was facing a death sentence for converting from Islam to Christianity... In Iran, anyone who is accused of apostasy may be hanged thanks to a law that was passed in 2008.

[stilloftyhenight]

God speed, Pastor, that His grace will abound. Prayers up!

[stilloftyhenight]

God speed, Pastor, that His grace will abound. Prayers up!

[marron]

Pray for Abedini whenever you think about it, whenever you have a moment.

Put his name on your white board so you will remember him.

[pollywog]

THANK YOU Ted Cruz!! You are doing single handedly what the entire Washington establishment cannot do....GO TED... we love you!!!Our prayers are behind you.

[Kevmo]

Cruz is hittin’ all the right notes in the music of social conservatism.

[pax_et_bonum]

Cruz is hittin’ all the right notes in the music of social conservatism.

***

Yes, he is.

[left that other site]

God Bless Ted Cruz!

We have been praying for Pastor Abedini for months, and Ted is the first one to speak forcefully of this, as far as I know.

[soycd]

> he moved to the U.S. and became a pastor at a church in Boise, Id.

I can not think of any good reason to go back to Iran once you have escaped that trap. It makes no sense whatsoever. You are at their mercy once you step foot across their border. Why would anyone think otherwise? Best of luck to him getting out of that cesspool and moslem freak show.

[Impy]

I would send in Delta Force to spring him from prison.

[MarMema]

Finally.Now let’s not forget Amir Hekmati, a former US Marine also in prison in Iran.