Ayatollah Khamenei warns of the danger presented by the Iranian network of house churches
Despite cordial letters recently exchanged between the Vatican and Iranian President Ahmadinejad, there are dark clouds on the horizon following a speech given by Ayatollah Khamenei:
Iran’s Supreme Leader is taking off the mask. Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs USA says, “This is another step in what is becoming a very open animosity between the Iranian government and the house church movement in Iran,” MNN.
On Oct.19, Ayatollah Khamenei gave a speech in which he mentions the various ways in which he sees that Islam is attacked. He noted that young Muslims are being separated from the pure principles of Islamic faith by distractions, differing philosophies, and religions.
In this speech, the ayatollah warned about the danger presented by the “network of house churches.” The rapid growth of the church has been noted by both the Christians and by the Iranian government.
The fact that Khamenei took special care to target the network of house churches is telling, and it could have a long-term effect that can’t be determined yet. Nettleton says, “The concern is that local officials and others will take that as permission to go even further in their attacks against the house churches and in their attacks against the Christians. This really gives the idea that the supreme leader of the government is saying, ‘We’ve got to do whatever it takes to stop these house church networks from growing.’”
Tags: Christian Life, Christian Persecution, Religion Society
November 16th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
The tone of Mission Network News is a bit worrying. I’m not at all sure that, given the totally appalling human rights situation in Iran, trying to convert people is either wise or helpful. When you think of the horrors faced by even Muslim dissidents, I would be reluctant to deliberately create martyrs.
But then it very much depends on your pov. Some people feel that it’s worth converting people even if they shortly afterwards get killed because of it, just as some believe bearing a stream of babies who’ll starve creates souls for Jesus. I can’t see it myself.