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Samuel Bakhtiari

In the past few weeks, the arrest of a number of Iranian Christians and pressure on other converts has once again made headlines. Security forces have raided several small Christian gatherings and arrested a number of Iranian Christian converts.

“Mahabat News” website reported on September 8, 2016, that 5 Christian citizens were arrested in a raid by security forces on a private garden in the outskirts of Firuzkuh city. According to the report, on Saturday morning, September 5, 2016, a group of Christian citizens were identified and arrested at a family gathering in a garden in Firuzkuh city (north of Tehran province). Amin Afshar Nadari, Hadi Asgari, Amir Saman Dashti, Mohammad Dehnavi, and Ramil Bet Tamraz are among the detainees who were previously arrested on security charges. Ramil Bet Tamraz, son of Pastor Victor Bet Tamraz, former leader of the Assyrian Pentecostal Church in Tehran, was also arrested on December 27, 2014, at a private gathering with family and friends to celebrate Christmas, along with Amin Afshar Nadari. After interrogation and several

Security encounters with Christian converts is not a new subject; this type of encounter has been accompanied by ups and downs. Most Christian converts are interrogated after being arrested with similar charges: “actions against national security through gathering in home churches and evangelistic activities”; a vague accusation that can result in 3 years of imprisonment or even death. Another accusation brought against Christian converts is the unfamiliar term “Zionist Christians”. The mixing of Christian and Zionist terms sends shivers down the spine of every prisoner in Iranian prisons; in addition to being a prisoner of conscience facing security charges. Despite these baseless accusations, there has been no evidence of cooperation or connection between home churches and various Christian branches with so-called “enemy” countries. The relationship between Iranian churches and churches outside the country is clear and no one is denying this relationship between churches around the world. The presence of more Christian institutions and think tanks in European and North American countries has become a pretext for accusing this religious minority. The assumption of the

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in security measures against this peaceful religious group. In the current discourse of Iranians, the “Nokishan-e-Masihi” are those who have turned away from their ancestral religion and embraced Christianity. The history of the presence of Christians in Iran dates back to the early years of the Christian faith. In the teachings of the Gospel, the holy book of Christians, the presence of three Iranian Magi at the birth of Jesus Christ is mentioned. Hundreds of years before the emergence of Islam, the Nestorian Church of Iran established its own leadership council in the city of Tisphon, the capital of the Sassanid Empire, and declared its independence from the Roman Church. According to historical evidence, during the reign of the Sassanid kings, there were Christian cities in various parts of Iran, and Christians lived relatively safely. After the defeat of the Sassanid Empire in the Arab invasion, Christianity, like the ancient religion of Z

The issue of proselytizing and sending missionaries has always been a part of the major religions of the world. Followers of each religion have considered their own faith to be the true and righteous one, while viewing other religions as false or obsolete. One of the most important means of changing beliefs and thoughts throughout history has been through preaching, which each religion has used to expand its influence and increase its number of followers. This has been especially prevalent in religions with a global missionary movement, such as Islam and Christianity.

However, the most active missionary movement among religions in the world is related to Christianity. It can be confidently said that no other religion has had such widespread preaching and missionary activities. This movement gained even more importance in Christianity due to its theology, which sees faith in Christ as the only path to salvation. Therefore, in this religion, preaching activities were carried out in a highly organized and planned manner. Missionary groups were formed with extensive structures, and reputable universities in Europe and America had colleges

Given the history and methods of operation of religious missionaries, it can be clearly stated that evangelical activities in Iran have no connection to the presence of the Islamic Republic system in Iran. This is also emphasized by Christian prisoner, Ibrahim Firouzi, in his letter of complaint to the Tehran prosecutor. Many Iranian Christians, who come from the middle class and vulnerable segments of society (given the current economic conditions in Iran, the middle class can be considered vulnerable), are social outcasts who have been attracted to this religion based on the Christian worldview. In general, it can be said that house churches and Christian activists within the country do not have a specific plan to attract elites and influence the internal political process in Iran. Given the lack of evidence and documents indicating criminal collaboration by Iranian Christians against the existing political system, it is appropriate for security forces and the judicial system to approach this issue with more caution.