Iranian-American pastor Saeed Abedini said that he witnessed Christians converting to Islam while under pressure in prison.
Christian Today reports that Abedini, who was released from prison in Iran in a prisoner swap in January, said he saw other Christians who began their imprisonment with strong faith, succumb to persecution and give in to Islam.
Abedini himself was persecuted for his Christian faith while in prison supposedly for “undermining national security.” He had been in Iran to do mission work.
In a recent Facebook post, Abedini said that many "religious and political prisoners who started out with very strong faith, thoughts and actions while going through so many changes in their country and world" eventually gave into pressure to convert to Islam.
"I saw some Christian[s] who were put in prison because they would not deny their faith and they kept doing their ministry. But unfortunately, I saw some of these heroes of the faith weaken through the difficulties and hardships of prison," he said. "I heard one of the Christians prayed Namaz Islamic prayer to make his situation easier."
In an interview with Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren shortly after his release, Abedini reveals that he was beaten in prison and was forced to watch others being tortured or even executed.
“We do not know how strong our faith really is until it is tested,” he said. He urged his Facebook followers to remain committed to their faith, even during trials.
"Jesus has a reason for telling us to finish what we have started with Him and keep going forward in our Biblical values. Our reward is waiting at the end of our journey," he said.
Publication date: March 7, 2016
