BTN Iran's Threat to Religious Liberty 10/07/2004

[Beyond The News]

October 07, 2004 Iran�s Threat to Religious Liberty —Janet Parshall Iran remains the centerpiece of what President Bush calls the "axis of evil." While most global concern revolves around that country's ability to amass nuclear weapons, there is a threat of another kind. Recently 80 Christian leaders attending a religious conference in Tehran were arrested and questioned in a police raid; the detainees being driven for hours with their eyes blindfolded to disorientate them. Officials in Tehran have been known for their harassment of churchgoers and for their monitoring of Christian churches. Iran follows Shar'ia law, which prohibits anyone from sharing his or her faith if it is not Muslim. Iran has also told Christian groups to submit the names of those who attend their churches but so far that demand has not been meet. The general secretary of the Assemblies of God in Iran was killed because he would not sign a document stating that he would prevent Muslims from entering his churches. The world watches to see if Iran will become even more of a threat, but we must never overlook the reality that they already are a real threat to religious liberty. Janet Parshall is the host of Janet Parshall's America. If this commentary was forwarded to you, sign up for your own free subscription. Beyond the News Commentaries go past today's headlines to give you concise and penetrating insight into the most pressing challenges facing our culture today. BTN commentaries cover everything from politics to popular culture, from faith to international relations and family values to the progress of the war on terrorism. You are receiving the email because you have subscribed to this list. If you would like to remove yourself from this list, please use the following link and you will be removed immediately! Thank you! Copyright 2004 Beyond The News TM Hurricane Victims Still Need Your Help In The Face of Evil" - New Reagan Film Iran and Religious Freedom [Voice of America]