Nina Shea has written about Yousef Nadarkhani’s plight — he faces imminent execution — here and here. The Speaker of the House John Boehner insists Iran respect this man’s “Religious freedom” and “human dignity,” in a statement released this morning:
Religious freedom is a universal human right. The reports that Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani will be sentenced to death by the Iranian government 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. I urge Iran’s leaders to abandon this dark path, spare Yousef Nadarkhani’s life, and grant him a full and unconditional release.
I think this might serve as Iran's response:
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Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI don't think this is a moment to preach to them about human rights. I think this is a moment to plead with them to spare this man's life...just "please, please spare this man."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAs Bill Bennett says "Islam is as Islam does".
And here we see the true face of Islam.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYou know, I think this is really something that the House Speaker should not do, engage in foreign affairs. It's really something for the President to...oh yeah, never mind. Good on John Boehner for speaking up!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSince, according to that Berkeley-educated hiker who finally just got released from Iran, America and Iran are pretty much the same in the unjust-punishment department...
...maybe we should execute the former Cat Stevens for *his* apostasy.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse...for that, and the music we were subsequently deprived of.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"Religious freedom is a universal human right"?
For that remark to have any validity, let's begin by defining your terms.
"Religion" means a form of delusion (suspension of disbelief, invalidation of laws of physics and medicine) popular enough to express political power. Failure to reach critical mass downgrades your status to "cult" (ref. Branch Davidians, LDS 100 years ago). The narrowest possible religious group (yourself) enjoys that even less flattering term "psychosis".
Certainly you don't mean that Zoroastrians can have schools closed on their sacred days, or that a Magus must be present during inaugurations?
How about the cherished Hindu tradition of suttee, in which the widow voluntarily burns herself alive on her deceased husband's funeral pyre?
Is the Muslim admonishment to kill the Jews part of their "freedom"?
I'm a devout, life-long believer, adherent and member of Thug-a-hind. My daily ritual (fully equal to the Eucharist, or praying toward Mecca) is to find an unbeliever and strangle him for the satisfaction of Kali.
Is that OK with you?
Since it's a religious duty, it takes precedence over criminal law - in the same way that some U.S. courts treat Muslim honor killings, and Australian courts treat tribal aboriginal behavior.
Taken without qualification or exception, "religious freedom is a universal human right" is nonsense.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYOUR comments are nonsense.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseLook up U.S. v. Reynolds and the distinction between religious belief and religious practice.
Or, keep snarking uninformedly away. Your choice to be an adult, or not.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse@ Panic-Do you realize a man's life hangs in the balance?Sis this an appropriate time for your senseless rambling? Regardless of your religious views, compassion is a value we should all appreciate. It's sad that you have none.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe Iranian government has held up punishment, and is awaiting my comment?
I'm sorry you don't understand the subject, and must instead resort to rude personal remarks.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbusePanic,
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNicely said.
May God help you and open your eyes...you are blinded by your sin nature and cannot see the truth. You are setting your face against the true living God who created you and all things. May God help you and have mercy on you. You know not what you do...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMr Boehner, I have been covering events in Iran for more than a decade and do not ever recall the government saying it promotes tolerance.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"Religious freedom is a universal human right."
Geez, he sounds like a liberal, creating rights out of think air! And just who is going to enforce this "right"? Team America?
He has the universal right of conscience...he is acting upon that.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseENOUGH OF THIS REDICULOUS BANTERING. A MANS LIFE IS AT STACK. WE MUST KEEP THE PRESSURE ON IRAN TO RELEASE PASTOR YOUSEF. CHRISTIANS EVERYWHERE MUST CONTINUE TO PRAY. DON'T GIVE UP. PRAY AND WRITE LETTERS AND E MAILS.THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD GO YOU OR I.
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