Michelle Malkin » Pastor Nadarkhani update: State Department, Boehner weigh in

Pastor Nadarkhani update: State Department, Boehner weigh in

By Michelle Malkin • September 30, 2011 10:46 AM

Yesterday, I asked the State Department several times if it would be making a statement about the impending execution in Iran of Christian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani.

Late last night, they finally did — first via Twitter and then directly from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Keep spreading the word, putting pressure on your representatives to speak out, and letting your friends, workers, and faith leaders know.

Every public condemnation counts:

Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
September 30, 2011

The United States is deeply concerned by reports of the Iranian government’s continued repression of its people. Despite statements from Iran’s Supreme Leader and President claiming support for the rights and freedoms of Iranian citizens and people in the region, the government continues its crackdown on all forms of dissent, belief, and assembly.

We are particularly concerned by reports that Christian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani is facing execution on charges of apostasy for refusing to recant his faith. This comes amid a harsh onslaught against followers of diverse faiths, including Zoroastrians, Sufis, and Baha’is.

Iran’s government continues to arrest journalists and filmmakers. They are restricting access to information by jamming incoming satellite broadcasts and filtering the Internet.

The United States stands with the international community and all Iranians against the Iranian government’s hypocritical statements and actions, and we continue to call for a government that respects the human rights and freedom of all those living in Iran.

GOP House Speaker John Boehner has added his voice:

Iran is drawing widespread criticism over reports that an Iranian pastor faces execution for refusing to recant his Christian faith and return to Islam. “Religious freedom is a universal human right,” Boehner said. He said that the prospects that Nadarkhani could be executed “unless he disavows his Christian faith are distressing for people of every country and creed.

“While Iran’s government claims to promote tolerance, it continues to imprison many of its people because of their faith. This goes beyond the law to an issue of fundamental respect for human dignity,” said Boehner.

The stalwart ACLJ continues to lead the defense of Pastor Nadarkhani and reports that the death sentence still stands. The pastor’s attorney based in Iran says to please keep up the pressure:

Today, ACLJ attorneys confirmed with Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani’s attorney in Iran, Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, that the death sentence still stands. Mr. Dadkhah stated that at the end of yesterday’s hearing, three of the five judges appeared to be leaning toward annulling Pastor Youcef’s sentence. Recognizing, however, that the judges’ decision is not final and may be swayed by outside pressure before delivering the final verdict, he urges the international community to continue to cry out for Pastor Youcef’s unconditional release until he walks free from the jailhouse.

See what others have said

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Comments

#1

On September 30th, 2011 at 10:50 am, spaceycakes said:

What if he was a rabbi?
#2

On September 30th, 2011 at 10:54 am, Flyoverman said:

The only “fix” for Iran is a Virginia Class ballistic missile submarine.
#3

On September 30th, 2011 at 10:55 am, Truesoldier said:

Glad to see more people are weighing in and I give Hillary credit for signing her name to the statement instead of having a press person make a statement for you.
#4

On September 30th, 2011 at 10:59 am, Straight_Talk_Luigi said:

Here’s a solution:

Instead of loading up on illegals and immigrants who hate our way of life, why the heck don’t we take in guys like him?

Is it really that difficult to figure out?
#5

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:05 am, Pasadena Phil said:

It would be so easy for him to save his own life by recanting his Christianity. Yet he refuses to hold his nose and opt for the lesser of two evils.
#6

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:09 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

Iran wants nukes, give them nukes. We could call it Silicon Valley II
#7

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:10 am, Truesoldier said:

And Phil tries to hijack yet another thread with his broken record song once again….
#8

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:14 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

Some songs are worth repeating.
#9

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:19 am, spaceycakes said:

Rogue Cheddar said:

or our own lovely beach on the Caspian.
#10

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:24 am, tre said:

If he lives he can lead more people to Christ.
If he dies he goes straight to Heaven.
Win, Win!
#11

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:28 am, Flyoverman said:

I give Hillary credit for signing her name to the statement instead of having a press person make a statement for you.

When the Secretary of State signs their name it is an indication that along with the policy of the United States it is also the Secretary’s personal endorsement. The SOS personally believes in what is being communicated.

The White House statement was a policy statement by the government of the United States; not necessarily endorsed by the President.

Nuff said.
#12

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:29 am, Flyoverman said:

P.S. What Obama’s opinion was on this matter was, “Present.”
#13

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:37 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:19 am, spaceycakes said:
Rogue Cheddar said:
or our own lovely beach on the Caspian.

I’ll bring the innertubes and soggy cauliflower.
#14

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:37 am, Dexter Alarius said:

On September 30th, 2011 at 10:59 am, Straight_Talk_Luigi said:
Here’s a solution:
…why the heck don’t we take in guys like him?

He’s a pastor, which means he has a congregation with spiritual needs. He would not abandon them.
What an incredibly brave, faithful man.
Praying hard for him, his family, and all Christians in muslim countries.
#15

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:41 am, Truesoldier said:

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:28 am, Flyoverman said: When the Secretary of State signs their name it is an indication that along with the policy of the United States it is also the Secretary’s personal endorsement. The SOS personally believes in what is being communicated.

That was exactly what I was trying to say, you communicated it +1000 better than I.
#16

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:53 am, Peter Hughes said:

What Truesoldier said.

Regards,
Peter H.
#17

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:53 am, NotTheMama said:

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:05 am, Pasadena Phil said:
It would be so easy for him to save his own life by recanting his Christianity. Yet he refuses to hold his nose and opt for the lesser of two evils.

But to deny Christ is to deny life, which is what evil wants.

Praying for the pastor and his flock.
#18

On September 30th, 2011 at 12:01 pm, Dexter Alarius said:

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:05 am, Pasadena Phil said:
It would be so easy for him to save his own life by recanting his Christianity.

Steve Centani at Fox News has no comment.
#19

On September 30th, 2011 at 12:31 pm, 1ConcernedMom said:

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:24 am, tre said:
If he lives he can lead more people to Christ.
If he dies he goes straight to Heaven.
Win, Win!

Well said tre! This statement goes along the lines of what I thought yesterday. I pray he will not be executed, but if he is, he will be in a much better place than we are. Please Lord, I pray you spare this man’s life for his and his family’s sake, and so he can reach more people for you. Amen.
#20

On September 30th, 2011 at 12:32 pm, kentroyals5 said:

I’m impressed with the universal condemnation of Iran on this. Thanks for making sure everyone issues a statement Mrs. Malkin!
#21

On September 30th, 2011 at 1:41 pm, GraniteMan said:

He’s in my prayers. It gives me a feeling of helplessness and anger to hear and watch this unfold.
#22

On September 30th, 2011 at 2:46 pm, RobM1981 said:

Uhhh… actually there is no such thing as a Virginia Class SSBN.

There is such a thing as a Q’uran, however, and there is such a thing as lighter fluid.

Protests come in all forms, or so I hear.
#23

On September 30th, 2011 at 3:25 pm, FirstSkirt said:

So Hillary signed her name to the document – big deal….it’s not her life on the line here. Her accomplishments as SoS are what exactly? Do you really believe that countries controlled by Muslims take what a woman has to say seriously? Please.
#24

On September 30th, 2011 at 4:12 pm, Flyoverman said:

On September 30th, 2011 at 2:46 pm, RobM1981 said:

Uhhh… actually there is no such thing as a Virginia Class SSBN.

They are not boomers? I thought they were replacing the Ohio Class boats. MY BAD…

The Virginia Class new attack submarine is an advanced stealth multi-mission nuclear-powered

My error was in discussing a replacement of the Ohio class a variant of the Virgina Class is one of the future options.

I stand corrected. Good catch. Consider my prior comment as nautical vaporware.
#25

On September 30th, 2011 at 4:38 pm, BK said:

On September 30th, 2011 at 10:50 am, spaceycakes said:

What if he was a rabbi?

Then he’d get two death penalties.
#26

On September 30th, 2011 at 4:43 pm, olsantaroy said:

Strain as I might, I cannot hear the voices of “Moderate Islam.” The religion of Peace is ?????????????
#27

On September 30th, 2011 at 5:34 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:10 am, Truesoldier said:

And Phil tries to hijack yet another thread with his broken record song once again….

Noseholders are so paranoid.
#28

On September 30th, 2011 at 6:28 pm, ted said:

Pasadena Phil, I hope you’re joking.

Christ could have saved his OWN life by also backing down and walking back his words. He didn’t, and as a result, he knowingly and freely offered himself up to sacrifice and suffered a horrible death for the sake of the Truth. If Christ had not done what he did, there would be no Church, no Christianity and no Salvation. Christ didn’t attempt to wriggle out of his situation and make excuses later– he stood upon the truth, consequences be damned.

I’m not looking to get into a huge theological debate– my faith is a fairly personal affair, but as a Catholic, I don’t believe in “lesser of two evils” thinking. Many Christians have been martyred for simply refusing to deny Christ–they are not to blame for the evils of their persecutors.

Whatever happens, this man is a very strong person and an inspiration to me as a fellow Christian. He is in my prayers. God bless him and his family. I hope those who persecute him realize their error in the face of his strength.
#29

On September 30th, 2011 at 6:44 pm, ted said:

Ok, I think I missed Phil’s sarcasm there. Sorry!
#30

On September 30th, 2011 at 9:22 pm, Roland said:

Comparing a refusal to submit to pure evil under the threat of death to voting for the better candidate of the remaining alternatives left to give power to on election day is crass stupidity.

Phil goes pretty low on a regular basis, but in this thread he has jumped the shark.
#31

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:41 pm, RobM1981 said:

NO problem

In this case an ssn will do just fine…
#32

On September 30th, 2011 at 11:54 pm, Hangfire said:

On September 30th, 2011 at 4:12 pm, Flyoverman said:

I stand corrected. Good catch. Consider my prior comment as nautical vaporware.

All you have to remember is that there are only two kinds of ships:

Submarines
Targets
#33

On October 1st, 2011 at 12:48 pm, NBF said:

Meanwhile in America, the persecution of Christians continues under the Obama Administration by the attempt to force people to pay for health insurance that provides abortion and contraceptives.
#34

On October 1st, 2011 at 1:30 pm, RobM1981 said:

Is Christianity the One True Faith? I believe it is. But I also know that my Bible is filled with stories – divinely inspired stories – of coexistence and acceptance. Much of the book of Acts talks about the Gentile and whether they should be allowed into the early Messianic Church answer: “Absolutely”).

The story of Jonah and Nineveh.

Paul in Athens.

Christians do not accept any other Faith as being the true Faith, but we also root our Faith in love; not destruction. This has always been the message of Christianity, even when it wasn’t understood (Crusades, burning witches, etc.) The message hasn’t changed, but Westerners have progressed enough that people are allowed to read the Bible on their own, and see that the church “leaders” were selling us a string of baloney “for our own good.”

In other words: we have left the seventh century behind us.

Would somebody – anybody – drag the muslim world into, say, the 18th century?

Execution for “apostasy?” Seriously?

Yet another example of a completely stunted society. “Backwards” doesn’t even come close.
#35

On October 2nd, 2011 at 12:38 pm, NBF said:

RobM1981,

The Crusades were a defensive mission.

http://www.turrisfortis.com/history.html
#36

On October 2nd, 2011 at 4:38 pm, ChapBix said:

Coming to a country near you, given enough time.