I’m following a developing story about an incarcerated pastor in Iran. Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani was arrested due to his faith and on trial for a “thought crime.” While Iran denies any detention due to “thought crimes” the evidence of an imprisoned Christian pastor proves otherwise. Mission Network News still reports no sentencing at this time while other news sources report both the release of Nadarkhani’s wife and his sentence of death. Cases similar to this against Christian pastors and believes are not unique in Islamic controlled regions. We must pray for Youcef Nadarkhani, his wife, children, and church.
This brings up an entirely different question for me. Is religious freedom or freedom from religion possible in regions dominated by Islamic law? It’s not possible to live free in Islamic dominated regions especially as a practicing Christian. If you’re a student of history and current events, the facts speak for themselves. Regions under strict Muslim rule or Sharia law do not tolerate the practice of “other” religions. This is also observed in areas experiencing significant immigration of Islamic faithful. There are communities both in London and Paris which denounce governmental authority and rule by Sharia law according to While Europe Slept, by Bruce Bawer.
As Americans, we must safeguard the right to practice the Christian faith in this country. To be absolutely forthright, I’m not sure what that looks like. I do know there is substantial identifiable evidence that in my life time I will observe several European nations succumb to the negative political advancement and control of Islamists. It is predicted that Denmark will likely be populated by an Islamic citizenry majority within the next twenty years. This has the potential to turn the course of a nation. Domination is the goal of extremist and fundamental Islamists. Muslims that are “less” extreme seem to be powerless against the growing tide of Islamic fundamentalism. It is evidenced that we all can’t just live together and sing “Kumbaya.” We must give careful thought to such potentiality.
