Burning Bibles
Posted: Friday, August 26, 2011
by Jack H. Schick
Recently the Iranian security forces seized and burned a bunch of Bibles they say were illegally sneaked across their western borders. Mohabat News, an Iranian Christian organization (yes, there are Christians in Iran, but it’s pretty tough to practice at it), reported that 6,500 Bibles and some Jewish Torahs were confiscated and burned. The action was in response to call for vigilance by an Islamic cleric. The procedure was aired on the web site of Pasdaran, a paramilitary organization that stirred up violent protests against the Koran burning threat by a Christian organization in Florida last year.
An increase in the confiscation of non-Islamic religious materials, the imprisonment of Christians and the burning of Christian churches has been confirmed by government officials. Dr. Majid Abhari, and advisor to the social issues committee of the Iranian Parliament, said of the most recent seizure: “With regard to the activities of these Christian missionaries to deceive people especially youngsters, they have begun a huge campaign by spending huge sums and false propaganda for deviating the public.” He went on to warn that “all religions are strengthening their power to confront Islam; otherwise, what does this huge number of Bibles mean?”
As revolts against authoritarian regimes has spread to many Islamic nations, Iranian religious leaders and the government of Mahmoud ("quick, build that bomb") Ahmadeninejad has become more concerned about Muslims converting to Christianity. In 1979 there were only about 500 known Christians in Iran. Now there are an estimated 100,000. Iran claims that it offers freedom of worship to all religious minorities, but as is the case in many Islamic countries, words and actions are seldom the same
As a member of the Society of Friends (and an American), I have quite a bit of flexibility when it comes to religious faith and practice. I meditate and seek the Light within me in my own way. I have developed a personal, individual relationship with my higher power. I don’t particularly care how anyone else worships, or if they do or don’t. However, I expect the same from them. I believe the Bible “is a declaration of the fountain not the fountain itself.” It’s a book. But, there is a lot of good stuff in there. I can’t see how reading it will hurt anybody.
I guess have a bad attitude, though. As soon as somebody tells me I can’t do something, or that I have to do something a certain way, I get resistant. I guess, when I look at myself in that way, I’m a lot like Ayatollah What’s-his-name. I’m stubbornly stuck in my old ways. But, it makes me feel powerful and right. I guess I'd better reconsider. I’ll be in big trouble when the world wide Caliphate is finally established.
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