Global Religious Persecution on the Rise

As religious persecution intensifies across the globe, David Curry, CEO of Global Christian Relief, has voiced alarm over the growing discrimination against Christians, backed by a database tracking such injustices. A recent report by Article 18, an NGO championing religious freedom, reveals harrowing details of the persecution faced by Iranian Christians, including whippings, arrests, and severe surveillance measures.

The study, "Faceless Victims: Rights Violations Against Christians in Iran," highlights the arrest of at least 17 Christians in the summer of 2023, with prison sentences ranging from three months to five years. Furthermore, non-custodial punishments like fines, flogging, and community service, such as grave digging, have been documented.

Iran has seen a notable spike in Christian arrests, with 166 cases reported in 2023 compared to 134 the previous year. Despite the absence of official church buildings, Iran reportedly hosts the world’s fastest-growing church, predominantly under female leadership. Rev. Johnnie Moore, president of the Congress of Christian Leaders, criticizes U.S. policy towards Iran, underscoring its adverse impact on Iranians, particularly women and Christians.

Moore envisions a potential future where a female president of a liberated Iran could visit Jerusalem and Washington, inclusive of evangelical Christians and the Baha'i community. The U.S. State Department has recognized the plight of Christians and other religious minorities in Iran, with a spokesperson condemning these violations.

The State Department’s Report on International Religious Freedom in Iran has noted the disproportionate targeting of Christians, especially evangelicals and converts from Islam. In collaboration with organizations like Open Doors, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, and Middle East Concern, Article 18 estimates that there may be up to 800,000 Christians in Iran, a figure derived from a 2020 survey by a secular Dutch research group.

The 45th anniversary of the execution of Anglican pastor Arastoo Sayyah in Shiraz by the Iranian regime has been commemorated, marking the first Christian executed post-Islamic Revolution. Sheina Vojoudi, an Iranian Christian and associate fellow with the Gold Institute for International Strategy, fled Iran facing religious persecution and asserts that Christianity is deemed a political-security crime in Iran.

Vojoudi claims that at least 15 Iranian pastors have been executed by the Islamic Republic since its establishment. The persecution heightened after the 2009 Green revolution, with the regime burning Bibles, seizing religious texts, and banning Persian preaching in churches.

Christianity in Iran, particularly among those converted from Islam, is not recognized by the state, leading to targeted attacks by authorities, families, and society. Vojoudi recounts the intense surveillance of her church in Tehran, where Ayatollah Khomeini's image loomed as a symbol of the regime's scrutiny. Iranian Christians have thus been forced to form underground house churches, condemned by Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei as the machinations of 'Islam's enemies.'

In other news, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo commented on Hungary's parliament approving Sweden's bid to join NATO. Additionally, a resurfaced clip of Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of the repercussions of NATO's expansion.

A drone crash in St. Petersburg, Russia, on March 02, 2024, has sparked controversy with accusations of an attack by Ukrainian forces. The incident, covered by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, resulted in damage to buildings and six injuries. Residents reported hearing a "pop" and witnessing a "blaze" post-attack, necessitating evacuations, as confirmed by Governor Alexander Beglov.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported a Russian drone attack in Odesa, which claimed lives, including those of two young children. Odesa's regional governor noted that a Shahed Russian drone was intercepted by Ukrainian defenses, with resultant debris impacting a residential building.

The international community continues to monitor these developments with grave concern for the ongoing unrest and the relentless persecution of religious minorities.

Conservative Bias:

Once again, the so-called "religion of peace" shows its true colors, as Iran's radical Islamic regime continues its barbaric crackdown on Christians. The liberal media and the left-wing enablers in the U.S. government remain silent on the true nature of this oppressive theocracy. While they're busy apologizing for America and coddling terrorists, Christians are being whipped, arrested, and forced to dig graves. Where's the outrage from the progressive champions of human rights? It's a convenient oversight, as they’d rather criticize America than confront the real evils in the world. And let's not forget the disastrous policies of appeasement towards Iran that have only emboldened these tyrants. It's clear that the left's political correctness and their obsession with multiculturalism are paving the way for these atrocities to continue unabated.

Liberal Bias:

In a stunning display of hypocrisy, the conservative establishment turns a blind eye to the systemic persecution of Christians in Iran, a direct result of their own disastrous foreign policies. They're quick to thump their chests about religious freedom, yet when it comes to taking a stand against authoritarian regimes that they've cozied up to, they fall deafeningly silent. The reality is, their warmongering and sanctions have only served to strengthen the grip of hardliners in Iran, making life hell for religious minorities. Conservatives have no problem railing against the supposed 'war on Christianity' at home, but when it comes to actual life-and-death situations for Christians abroad, they're nowhere to be found. It's a clear case of their so-called 'Christian values' being nothing more than a facade for political gain.