Iran (MNN) ― The Iranian government may throw out the apostasy death penalty from the Islamic Penal Code Bill.
The new penal code was originally approved in September 2008 by a preliminary parliamentary vote of 196-7.
Compass Direct reports that the Parliamentary Committee had come under intense international pressure to drop clauses from the Islamic Penal Code Bill that allowed stoning and made death the mandatory punishment for apostates or for people who converted to another religion from Islam.
Adele Konyndyk with Voice of the Martyrs Canada says, "There are recommendations that what was passed in September would be dropped so the death penalty would not be required for apostasy."
It's not a "done deal" because there is still another hurdle to clear. "It would still have to be approved, finally by the Guardian council."
Konyndyk says intense international scrutiny may have helped. It may have simply been the government's answer to self-preservation, given the circumstances.
"With the attention on the recent elections, if they were to pass the bill that would mandate apostasy, the international outcry would be even more severe."
Protests over recent election results demonstrated considerable opposition to the Iranian government's tactics. Many Christians have supported the opposition because of the oppression they have experienced under the current regime.
Pray for believers in Iran. The government has been accusing the West of interfering and stirring up trouble. Open Doors USA president Carl Moeller says this passing of blame bodes ill for Christians, whom the Iranian government sees as pawns of the West; they could expect even harsher treatment later on.
Evangelism is already banned, and other forms of outreach are scrutinized, so continued ministry is very tricky. Konyndyke urges prayer. "It would be an answer to prayer to have the apostasy aspect of the penal code be abolished, but of course, even if this were the case, there are many trials facing Christians in Iran, and the cost of leaving Islam would still be high."
Ask God to strengthen Iranian believers to continue honouring Him despite pressure and opposition from authorities.
