Faith Groups Displaying Live Nativity Scene at Supreme Court

11:05AM EST 11/29/2011 JENNIFER LECLAIRE

(AP Images/Hidajet Delic)

United States Supreme Court justices may get an eyeful on Wednesday as they make their way into the chambers. That’s because faith-based groups are joining forces to display a live nativity scene in front of the landmark building—complete with animals.

The display is part of The Nativity Project, a nationwide campaign to share the message of Christmas and confront the erosion and hostility toward public expressions of faith. Sponsored by Faith and Action and The Christian Defense Coalition, the live nativity scene will be on display beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, calls The Nativity Project a reminder that the U.S. Constitution provides freedom “of” religion not freedom “from” religion.

“By encouraging people of good will to publicly display nativity scenes all across America, we are not only supporting religious liberty and First Amendment freedoms but we are loudly proclaiming the powerful message of Christmas,” Mahoney says. “That timeless message needs to be heard now more than ever: 'Peace on earth and goodwill toward man.'”

Mahoney’s hope and prayer is that many people will secure permits to display nativity scenes in front of public buildings all across the United States. He also encourages believers to put nativity scenes on the lawns of their homes.

The faith groups will meet at 109 2nd Street NE, right behind the Supreme Court, at 10:30 a.m. From there, there will be a processional featuring live animals and actors. The processional will pass in front of the Supreme Court and past the U.S. Capitol Building and end back at 109 2nd Street. Organizers expect the live nativity scene to be on the public sidewalk in front of the Supreme Court around 11 a.m.

Rob Schenck, president of Faith and Action, says the traditional creche, portraying Mary, Joseph and the Christ child, along with angels, shepherds, wise men and animals, remind us of what Christmas is all about.

"The fact that we have been granted a permit to hold this live nativity scene in front of the Supreme Court ensures the right for every American to set up these public displays in communities all across America,” Schenck says. "We like to refer to this effort as keeping Christ mass in the nation's capital and throughout the nation."

Iranian Court to Issue Apostasy Sentence Decision in One Month if the Ayatollah Does Not Respond

Nadarknani Verdict Expected in Mid-December, But May Be Delayed Until Christmas 


By Michael Ireland
Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

RASHT, IRAN (ANS) -- Sources close to the Yousef Nadarkhani apostasy case have informed Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) www.csw.co.uk that Pastor Nadarkhani’s lawyers have been told to expect a decision from the Supreme Leader in mid-December, occasioning fears that it may be issued to coincide with the Christmas season in order to avoid an international outcry.

Pastor Youcef and his wife. (Photo courteys of Present Truth Ministries).

CSW says the court in Rasht has sent two letters regarding the case to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, but is still awaiting a response.

According to CSW, other members of Pastor Nadarkhani’s denomination are also facing difficulties.

CSW has been informed that the Revolutionary Court in Shiraz has asked three Church of Iran members to surrender themselves to the authorities to begin prison sentences.

Pastor Behrouz Sadegh-Khanjani, Mr. Mohammad Beliad and his wife Nazly Beliad were part of a larger a group that is due to serve one year sentences for ‘crimes against the order’ following an unsuccessful appeal earlier this year. 

PastorKhanjani is also known to have been tortured during a previous imprisonment in Shiraz. Their lawyer has advised them not to present themselves until a written request has been issued.

Pastor Benham Irani of the Church of Iran is currently serving a five year sentence, whilst Farshid Fathi Malayeri, who belongs to a different denomination, remains detained without charge nearly eleven months after his arrest.

Church leader Noorollah Ghabitizadeh, who was arrested on Christmas Eve in 2010, is still being held in Ahwaz and, according to Mohabat News, has been verbally informed he may receive a death sentence. Like Pastor Nadarkhani, he too has been asked to recant his faith.

CSW’s Team Leader for Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, Dr Khataza Gondwe, said, “It is worrying that the Supreme Leader has delayed a decision on Pastor Nadarkhani’s case, leaving the pastor and his family in a distressing state of limbo. We continue to urge a swift decision, and to call for a full acquittal and release, since the verdict is in violation of Iranian law, and of the spirit of article 23 of the Iranian constitution.

“The Supreme Leader now has an opportunity to demonstrate Iran’s commitment to work within its own civil law code, where apostasy is not a codified crime, and its obligations as a signatory of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which allows for freedom of religion and belief. The international community must remain vigilant in order to ensure that the Iranian authorities cannot use a hiatus to issue a negative ruling. Iran must also be urged to cease the detention of individuals without charge, and to uphold the rights and freedoms of members of minority faiths.”

Jason DeMars of Present Truth Ministries www.presenttruthmn.com says Pastor Nadarkhani remains in Lakan Prison in Iran’s Gilan Province.

“He continues to stand strong in his faith and remains in good spirits and health,” DeMars told ANS.

DeMars said the 11th circuit court in Gilan is awaiting a response to their two letters that were written to the supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khameini.

“One of Youcef’s attorneys stated that the court will wait for one month for a response. If they do not have it, they will issue a ruling sometime in mid-December,” he said.

Continue to pray for brother Youcef, that God would sustain him and give him courage and boldness to testify to those around him, “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:18-20).

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organization working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact the Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 (0) 78 2332 9663

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** Michael Ireland is Senior Correspondent for ANS. He is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB UK, a British Christian radio station. While in the UK, Michael traveled to Canada and the United States, Albania,Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany,and Czechoslovakia. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China,and Russia. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International of P.O.Box 1649, Brentwood, TN 37024-1649, at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can make a donation online under 'Donate' tab, then look for 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' under 'Donation Category' to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.' Michael is a member in good standing of the National Writers Union, Society of Professional Journalists, Religion Newswriters Association, Evangelical Press Association and International Press Association. If you have a news or feature story idea for Michael, please contact him at: ANS Senior Reporter

Iranian Supreme Court Written Verdict Delivered in Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani's Death Sentence

By Michael Ireland
Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

RASHT, IRAN (ANS) -- ASSIST News Service has learned that the written ruling from the Iranian Supreme Court has finally been delivered to Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani's attorney.

According to Jason DeMars of Present Truth Ministries

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani (Photo courtesy Present Truth Ministries)

(www.presenttruthmn.com ) this ruling is in response to the appeal lodged against the death sentence delivered by a lower court on charges of apostasy.

He told ANS: "We have not seen a translation yet, but Iranian sources are telling us that it does not annul the death sentence. According to one source the Supreme Court has agreed with the verdict 'as it is based on fatwas of Ayatollahs Khomeiny, Khamenei and Makarem Shirazi.'"

DeMars explained that a fatwa is a ruling concerning Islamic law. He stated that Ayatollah Khomeiny was the first Supreme leader of Iran, and is considered the father of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei is the current supreme leader, while Ayatollah Shirazi is one of the most influential religious teachers in Iran.

DeMars went on to say: "The source revealed, 'While agreeing with the death sentence, the Supreme Court pointed out procedural flaws and is asking the lower court to re-examine the case. This is the only binding point of the ruling.'"

He added: "It has been asked, 'Is there a guarantee that Youcef will not be executed between now and the time of the re-examination?' According to one Iranian source it seems there is no such guarantee."

DeMars continued: "It appears that although the written ruling upholds the death sentence, the judges would like clarification from the lower court that Brother Youcef truly was a Muslim prior to becoming a Christian. If he was, and does not recant, then he must be executed. However if he was not, the verdict of the lower court is not appropriate for this case."

Demars further stated that according to the written verdict of the lower court, Youcef said that he never really believed or genuinely practiced Islam.
"He says he was simply born into a Muslim family but did not accept it himself," DeMars said.

"Despite this statement the death sentence was still applied. After re-examing this point the judges in Rasht have the freedom to decide to (either) execute him, release him, or to hold another trial.

"At this point, the most likely outcome appears to be a re-trial later this year, perhaps in the fall. It is important to remember that the Supreme Court did not annul the verdict that was based upon the fatwas of the Supreme Leader. Brother Youcef remains under the death sentence at this time."

DeMars stated that he wanted believers around the world to know  "how encouraged we are at Present Truth Ministries by the developments in Iran.

"We believe we are beginning to see the answers to your prayers on behalf of our Brother and his family. We know that the Devil walks about as a roaring lion, seeking who he can devour. Resist him in the faith, and stand before the Lord for brother Youcef. Keep writing letters, speaking to your elected officials and the representatives of Iran in your country.

"Most importantly, keep bringing your requests to God, for He is able to do far more than we can even ask or think."

Michael Ireland is Senior Correspondent for ANS. He is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB UK, a British Christian radio station. While in the UK, Michael traveled to Canada and the United States, Albania,Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany,and Czechoslovakia. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China,and Russia. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International of P.O.Box 1649, Brentwood, TN 37024-1649, at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can donate online to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.' If you have a news or feature story idea for Michael, please contact him at: ANS Senior Reporter