In 1979, the citizens of Iran were hopeful for a future with more freedom. But that hope evaporated into a haze of intolerance and oppression at the hands of Iran’s religious leaders.
The harsh opposition to other beliefs is ironic in a nation with a long history of accepting diverse religions. As ancient Persia, Iran was home to the prophet Zoroaster who founded the first world religion — Zoroastrianism — which proclaimed one loving god and the ideas of heaven, hell and an afterlife. The captives of Israel, including Daniel and Esther, also lived in Persia, and through them, God influenced the Persian kings. In Acts 2, Iranians are among the people groups mentioned at Pentecost.
In the seventh century, Islam entered Iran, and by the 10th century, it had become the predominant belief system. Still Iran’s religious climate was tolerant enough for the Baha’i religion to grow up inside its borders in the 19th century. Baha’i is an eclectic religion that preaches the unity of mankind under God.
It would take 10 more centuries after Islam entered the country and the hijacking of a political revolution for the Islamic Republic of Iran to be born. In 1979, Iranians rose up against the dictatorial Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, believing that freedom of expression and self-determination would be the rewards of their struggle.
In short order, the people of Iran found themselves subjects in the Islamic Republic of Iran and with even fewer freedoms than before the people’s revolution. The Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini began isolating Iran from the Western world and demanding unquestioning loyalty from the citizens.
For more than 25 years, Iranians have lived and toiled under a particularly harsh interpretation of Islam’s Shariah law. Shariah means “path to water.” The concept behind Shariah is that if one follows Allah’s (God’s) law, one will follow a path to salvation.
In leading their people on the path to salvation, Iran’s religious leaders determined that it is illegal to play chess or have music played at weddings and that women are inferior to men in all ways — physically, intellectually and morally. Women are hindered from participating equally in social or political activities.
After years of living under the rulers of the Islamic Republic of Iran, many men and women are looking beyond their local mosques for meaning in their lives. Many of Iran’s young people have embraced atheism and communism in rebellion against Iran’s leaders.
Other Iranian men and women are accepting Christ as their Savior in increasing numbers and the reason is fascinating. Darius, an Iranian Christian, looked out on the streets of Tehran and declared, “The best evangelist for Christianity in Iran was the Ayatollah Khomeini.” Sahar, an Iranian woman living in North America, agreed, adding, “He caused people to hate Islam, and in their hatred, they began searching other religions like Zoroastrianism and Baha’i, but many of them find Christ in their search.”
How do people who have very limited access to the gospel or Bibles come to faith in Jesus Christ? Until recent crackdowns on satellite televisions and radios, people were able to watch and listen to Christian broadcasts.
There are also constant reports of Iranians receiving visions of Jesus.
A few years ago, one woman who was in the midst of crippling despair claimed to have received a visit from Jesus. “He came from a painting in my room and stood at the foot of my bed,” she said. The majority of men and women in Iran who eventually come to faith report having had a dream or vision of Jesus Christ.
Acknowledging that Jesus is more than a prophet is a major hurdle for Iranians to overcome. “It is so difficult for Iranians who are Muslim to say that Jesus is God in the flesh,” Sahar said. It often takes these visions and dreams to bring reluctant Iranians to faith in Christ.
But converting from Islam to any other faith in Iran can bring the death penalty.
When a Muslim becomes a Christian in Iran, he or she turns his or her back on family and friends. But when he or she turns to the church, he or she finds closed doors and suspicious glances. Churches are often attended by government informants, and it is dangerous for congregations to accept curious Muslims into their midst.
In January, Iranian officials imposed further restrictions on Iran’s churches. Pastors of officially sanctioned churches must submit to the intelligence ministry a detailed list of all members and their roles in the church. Pastors also need permission from security forces to observe Communion.
The pressure on Iran’s Christians has increased as reports of attacks and arrests have risen. Hamid Pourmand, an Iranian pastor, was arrested in 2004 and escaped the death penalty due in part to pressure from Christians from all over the world. The volume of the international pressure was so great that the judge in the death-penalty hearing quipped to Pourmand, “I don’t know who you are, but the world knows who you are.” He was released in July 2006.
Five months later, eight house church leaders were arrested, and one of those was in prison as late as March.
Being a Christian in Iran has rarely been more dangerous, yet disillusioned men and women continue to search for Christ. Sahar hopes to one day return to her home in Iran with the simple message that God is love. It is a message that she hopes will bring healing to her wounded country.
Editor’s Note — M.M. Kumar is a Christian worker in Iran. His name and others were changed for security reasons.
Share with others: