In an inexplicable move, some religious organizations will host a dinner reception on September 25 for one of the world’s most renowned terrorist supporters, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He has been asked to speak on the topic, “Has Not One God Created Us? The Significance of Religious Contributions to Peace.” I stand with the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom in strongly condemning this move by the American Friends Service Committee, the Mennonite Central Committee, the World Council of Churches, and the Episcopal Church.
Ahmadinejad is a man who has repeatedly called for the annihilation of the Jewish state of Israel, rejects religious freedom, and embraces terrorism. It is well known that Ahmadinejad has called for Israel to be “wiped off the map” and is notorious for denying that the Holocaust occurred, saying of the West, “[t]hey have invented a myth that Jews were massacred.”
Ahmadinejad has also warned that “[a]nybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation’s fury.”
Just recently, the Iranian Parliament voted in favor of a bill permitting the death penalty for “apostasy,” i.e., voluntarily changing one’s religious faith.
Under this law, “Christians, Baha’is, and even some Muslims would be vulnerable to arbitrary arrest and imprisonment. . . . [T]wo Christians from Muslim backgrounds who are currently in prison for apostasy–Mahmoud Mohammad Matin-Azad and Arash Ahmad-Ali Basirat–could be given the death sentence.”
This law was enacted despite the fact that Iran voted in support of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights when it was adopted in December 1948. Article 18 of the Declaration states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief . . . .”
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom recently sent a letter of protest to those who invited Ahmadinejad to speak which stated:
[W]e are convinced that this invitation and this platform will be counterproductive. President Ahmadinejad has manipulated such dialogues repeatedly into a platform for spreading hatred. He hosted some of the world’s most notorious deniers of the Holocaust, racists and anti-Semites at a 2006 conference questioning the well-established facts of the Holocaust and calling for the destruction of a member-state of the United Nations. The only accomplishment of such an invitation would be to burnish the Iranian leader’s legitimacy and cleanse his reputation as a purveyor of hate.
. . . [T]he invitation to President Ahmadinejad comes amid a rapidly accelerating deterioration of religious freedom and other human rights in Iran, including prolonged detention, torture, and executions often based on the religion of the accused.
. . . More than 20 Baha’is currently are in prison in Iran on account of their religious identity, and two Christian men were charged with apostasy earlier this month.
. . . Four women leaders of the One Million Signatures campaign, which is dedicated to ending discrimination against women in the application of Islamic law in Iran, have been jailed for six months for allegedly “spreading propaganda” against Iran’s Islamic system by advocating for its reform.
. . . Reformists and journalists are regularly tried under current press laws and the Penal Code on charges of “insulting Islam,” criticizing the Islamic Republic, and publishing materials that deviate from Islamic standards.
. . . Inviting this leader undermines the legitimacy and seriousness of the “dialogue” termed “the significance of religious contributions to peace.” Just today, the State Department issued its annual International Religious Freedom Report, which underlines the long history of human rights violations in Iran and the continued deterioration of religious freedom conditions under President Ahmadinejad. . . .
At a time when so many Jews and Christians around the world face persecution for their faith, including those in Iran, this “celebration” with a man who leads the charge against religious freedom is outrageous, unacceptable and should not be tolerated. I am opposed to this meeting and certainly would implore these religious leaders to demand that this new apostasy law be rescinded if they insist on a meeting with Ahmadinejad. Appeasement did not work in the lead up to World War II and appeasing Ahmadinejad will not work here either.
Barry, will you stand with me in condemning this event?
posted September 22, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Will you provide some details as to who invited him, particularly on the part of the Episcopal church and when and where this is to happen?
Thanks.
posted September 22, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Jay, this is consistent with much of TEC past practice. Washington Bishop John Chane has very cordial relations with the Iranians:
http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=5359
Although it’s doubtful that Chane and other bishops of like mind would have much in common with many conservative Christians, they are very supportive of homosexuals in their church. Considering that homosexuality is a capital offence in Iran, this is very strange.
posted September 23, 2008 at 1:23 am
Well, to say the holocaust didn’t happen, what a joke! I guess he didn’t see the documentary of the bodies being shovelled into the mass grave sights, the claw marks in the gas chambers from the people trying to escape, the carts which transported the bodies back and forth to the ovens. I saw documentation of the event. Live futage of bodies and the consentration camps. I saw the people walking away after the war had ended in their skeletal forms. God bless the families and the survivors who went through such a horrific crime which is almost too catastrophic to put into words! If a leader can deny that the holocaust existed, what else can he deny or discredit? It is so disheartening words can not express how grievous that this mentality actually exist. How do we protect them in other countries who have leaders which will murder you because you are a Christian or other ethnic or religious background?
Thanks,
Cara Floyd
posted September 23, 2008 at 2:26 am
Perhaps we shouldn’t be too quick to condemn the actions of these religious groups… Is not the concept of loving our enemies at the core of the Gospel? Perhaps their actions should be seen as less political in nature and simply an attempt at faithful discipleship.
posted September 23, 2008 at 10:01 am
The Holocaust deniers are the Christians, not anyone else. Hitler’s anti-Semitism grew out of his Christian education. Austria and Germany were majorly Christian during his time and they held the belief that Jews were an inferior status to Aryan Christians. The Christians blamed the Jews for the killing of Jesus. Jewish hatred did not actually spring from Hitler, it came from the preaching of Catholic priests and Protestant ministers throughout Germany for hundreds of years. The Protestant leader, Martin Luther, himself, held a livid hatred for Jews and their Jewish religion. In his book, “On the Jews and their Lies,” Luther set the standard for Jewish hatred in Protestant Germany up until World War 2. Hitler expressed a great admiration for Martin Luther constantly quoting his works and beliefs.
Now, you must remember before Hitler rose to Chancellor of Germany the country was in a deep economic depression due to the Versailles treaty. The Versailles treaty demanded that Germans made financial reparations for the previous war and Germany simply was not self sufficient enough in order to pay the debt. Hitler was the leader that raised Germany out of the depression and brought them back to a world recognized power. Due to his annulment of the financial woes of the Germanic people he became their redeemer and they anointed him as the leader of the German Reich Christian Church in 1933. This placed him in power of the German Christian Socialist movement which legislates their political and religious agendas. It united all denominations, mainly the Protestant/Catholic and Lutheran people to instill faith in a national Christianity.
Not only did evangelical Christian round up and slaughter 6 million Jews but they also slaughtered 5 million other non-Christians simply because they didn’t accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior.
posted September 23, 2008 at 11:09 am
Jay, with all due respect, I don’t think you understand Quaker principles. Consider researching the pharse: “Speak truth to power”. Insofar as these groups will listen to Ahmadinejad, they will also try to get him to listen to them.
Sometimes, playing the moral outrage card isn’t nearly as productive as engaging dialog.
posted September 23, 2008 at 11:17 am
Speak Truth to Power is a phrase coined by the Quakers in the 1950′s.
We have engaged and challenged in loving ways people with whom we have vemently disagreed — from slaveholders to those restricting the rights of woman to those who would refuse war relief to ‘enemy civilians.’ For the latter work in particular the Quakers were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
I know from personal experience that this dinner will not be a one-sided opportunity for Amadinejad to push his beliefs, but one of real engagment where the office to which he was elected by the people ofIran will be honored, but the man who currently serves in that office will be strongly eldered — in the deepest sense of Jesus’s ministry.
posted September 23, 2008 at 12:39 pm
To address what Boris said, in every religion, there are individuals who claim to be of that certain religion, but truly do not follow the precepts of what it teaches.
I am not denying that many were killed in the name of Christianity, however those beliefs are certainly not Biblical and therefore should not be put in the same category with those who do their best to adhere to the tenets of scripture. Just because someone says they are a Christian does not mean they are. According to Matthew 7, you can know a tree by the fruit it produces. Consequently, those that killed Jews, Catholics, etc. in the name of Christianity, really were members of pseudo-Christianity, not the authentic thing, for the Bible does not teach we should kill. But rather, we are to pray and tell people the truth with hopes they will come to Christ.
I am a fundamentalist. I believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. I believe the Bible is right. But please do not place us with those who kill in the name of Jesus. Thanks.
posted September 23, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Go to http://www.mcc.org for more information about this event.
posted September 24, 2008 at 1:14 pm
This Christian does not deny the holocaust. I do not deny my heritage. I feel like that one that was shipped off on a train and then murdered during the holocaust. That could have been my sister, my mother, my best friend and all my relatives. I feel like the the one being brought up on charges for choosing Christianity. Do I feel comfortable to meet with a man willing to murder me?
I could have been the one that they are trying to murder. Are you going to meet with him and throw cuffs on him for trying to murder me? Are you going to have lunch with a terrorist and shake his hand and say have a nice day, while behind enemy lines he is murdering your child,brother, mother, dad, friend?
Cara Floyd
posted September 24, 2008 at 2:21 pm
You are correct that hard questions have been asked in past meetings and will be again. The involved organizations have made it very clear that they do not give a “free ride” on difficult questions. You can read statements from Mennonite Central Committee here. http://mcc.org/iran/meetings2008/index.html#controversy
posted September 24, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I agree with Jay 100% on his position, and find this meeting to be inexplicable as well, not only for the reasons that he has mentioned above, but firstly, because Allah is not the God of the Bible!
Secondly, Islam is not just a religion. In fact, some question whether or not it is a religion at all, but a governmental/political system with designs on taking over the world that uses “religion” as a facade.
I completely agree with this statement: “Appeasement did not work in the lead up to World War II and appeasing Ahmadinejad will not work here either.”
This meeting will be a disaster – mark my words – not only due to the aforementioned quote, but because it also sends the wrong message to true believers in Christ. This meeting is a shame, and it’s a disgrace, and may God forgive them for their lack of wisdom & insight.
posted September 25, 2008 at 4:12 am
NoIslamNoWay said: “…because Allah is not the God of the Bible!” and “because it also sends the wrong message to true believers in Christ.”
True believers in Christ have nothing to fear from their perceived enemies, which is why the Bible specifically says the real enemy is “spiritual forces in of wickedness in heavenly places” not “flesh and blood”. True believers in God know that the Bible also specifically says there is only one God, Creator and Sustainer of the Universe and that “there is none like” Him. That means God is God no matter what you choose to call him. Dialectially Al-lah and El-oi are the same thing.
NoIslamNoWay said: “Secondly, Islam is not just a religion. In fact, some question whether or not it is a religion at all, but a governmental/political system with designs on taking over the world that uses ‘religion’ as a facade.”
Apparently you are unaware that the same nonsensical logic is used against Christianity and Judaism as well.
The only people who have anything to fear from this meeting are hypocrities who are afraid their own hypocrisy will be exposed when Ahmadinejad holds up the mirror…
posted September 25, 2008 at 1:10 pm
A Good Day to You!
I just have a comment as regards to the meeting of the churches with the Iranian spokesman.
In Scripture,the Book of Esther— “for such a time as this”.
In history, the so called Christian church were involved in the destruction of many Jewish people. We know about the Crusades. Today, we have the opportunity to face the evil before us and ask that they heed the desire of The God of Abraham,Issac and Jacob. Naturally, I dont expect that this leader would consider this as he thinks he is doing this will.
And we who believe ask our Lord to have mercy on Israel and protect her and show His Face to her that she may know that He Is.
The battle is The Lords. We fight not against flesh and blood but principalities and powers in high places.
In Chronicles–”If My people who are called by My Name….”. We can win this on our knees my friend!
The laws of men are not the laws of God.
It is my hearts desire to see Our Lord, Ha Adon Yashua Ha Mashiach Melek Olam take His place in Yerushalyim and straighten out what we have perverted.
Prophecy is bitter sweet. And our Lord tells us flat out what must be done to cure our problems.
Only He is worthy to rule and reign.
Blessed is He who comes in The Name of The Lord. Blessed is His Kingdom which will remain forever and ever.
Because I love Him First,
Sharon
posted September 26, 2008 at 11:31 pm
After reading the article I would say, the Christian groups that put this dinner together are on to something. You, who wrote the article, are no better in condemning this action than the Pharisees were in condemning Jesus for his actions which did not fit the likings of the religious leaders of his day. That is why our (my) Christian Faith (not religious faith) is so radical, risky and contemptible from people like you.
posted September 27, 2008 at 5:32 pm
What do the churches and religious leaders meeting with the Iranian president have to say for themselves about their contact with him? I’d like to hear that side of the issue.
posted September 29, 2008 at 8:22 pm
The Jewish King Shlomo writes, “honor is not fitting for a fool [rascal].” He also says, “If you give honor to a fool, you arm him thereby, as if you’re putting a stone in his sling[-shot].” Thus, a meeting with a killer Cultist may encourage him to continue in his own track (Ecclesiastes 8:11).
_ _ What commonality does Light have with Darkness (-Paul, 2nd Corinthians 6:14)? How can two people walk together if they are not in agreement (-Amos)? If a Thought-Bomb breaks the mind-control, then oneself might have an opportunity to gain influence in a Cultic mind.
_ _ One could, like a crazy fox, beg and grovel, beseeching to know whether a non-Muslim may chant, in the respectful manner of a Muezzin calling from a Minaret, the hard-to-understand, not-morally-related dogmas that are attributed to the Prophet in Moslem Scripture. King Abdullah II imprisoned people who sought to publish the life of Muhammad as told in Scripture.
_ _ If a devout Muslim invites you to a Ramadan event, do not smile, but with profound gravity, observe the fluxuations and confusion on his or her face. For oneself cannot fully delight in, nor be heartily devoted to, what the mind does not accept or somewhat understand.
Confer the Proboards.com account of the Cal. St. Univ., Northridge:
http://dailysundial.proboards30.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=33
posted September 5, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I am appalled that religious groups would ask Ahmadinejad to speak on the topic of “Has Not One God Created Us? The Significance of Religious Contributions to Peace”. If anyone is anti-religious, it is Ahmadinejad himself. How religious and peaceful is it to desire to annihilate the Jewish state of Israel? If anything, he is a promoter of war and torture, and a persecutor of any faith other than Islam since he prescribes the death penalty to all who convert to a faith other than Islam and has ordered a death sentence for many Christians and other members of religious groups. As Dr. Jay stated and as the US Commission on International Religious Freedom recognizes, this man and the country of Iran is one of the worst violators of human rights. The only vote Mr. Ahmadinejad gets from me is to speak on the topic of “The Significance of Anti-Islamic hatred and violence to the creation of conflict and unjustifiable torture and death in the world”.