Fascinating:

Tehran, 19 March (AKI) - In its first session since last week's general elections, the new Iranian parliament is expected to discuss a law that will condemn to death anyone who decides to leave the Muslim faith and convert to other religions.

The parliament, also known as the Majlis, will debate the new law which has been presented by the government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Under the proposed law, anyone who is born to Muslim parents and decides to convert to another faith, will face the death penalty.

Currently converts, particularly those who have decided to leave the Muslim faith for Evangelical churches, are arrested and then released after some years of detention.

The new legislation, which has caused concern in Iran and abroad, was proposed mainly because of fears of proselytising activities by Evangelical churches particularly through the use of satellite channels.

There has also been concern over fact that many young people in Iran have abandoned Islam because they're tired of the many restrictions imposed by the faith.

According to unofficial sources, in the past five years, one million Iranians, particularly young people and women, have abandoned Islam and joined Evangelical churches.

This phenomenon has surprised even the missionaries who carry out their activities in secret in Iran.

An Evangelical priest and former Muslim in Iran told Adnkronos International (AKI) that the conversions were "interesting, enthusiastic but very dangerous".

Kudos to my Evangelical brothers and sisters for the yeoman's work they are doing in Iran - and I pray that Catholic missionaries will soon join the fight, if they haven't already.

Its not that we necessarily have to convert all of Islam - though, of course, one day every knee shall bend and every tongue confess - but until Islam allows Christians, and other religions, to flourish, Islam will fall short of being fully civilized and integrated with the larger world. The fact that a death penalty is proposed shows that the mullahs understand the attraction of Christ - the freedom, real freedom, of Christians is something the mullahs don't want, because people so inclined will not long tolerate an aging, corrupt oligarchy running the show.

Now, we need to pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in Iran - looks like they may be in for a rough time.

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