How can Iran consider itself a civilized nation?
      News reports this very day confirm that American pastor Saeed Abedini, a Christian imprisoned in one of Iran's harshest prisons for nearly a year and a half because of his Christian faith, has been beaten, shackled, and denied medical treatment. If such a thing were to have occurred to a prisoner in this country there would be an outcry among the populace as well as the news media for an immediate correction of the situation, and the problem would be rectified. How can Iran call itself civilized when it's people do not speak up on Abedini's behalf? Why aren't the people of Iran saying to their government "We are better than that?" Why doesn't Iran recognize that jailing and mistreating a prisoner because of his faith is a violation of the universal right of freedom of religion? How can Iran rationalize its failure to consider the request of the president of the United States that Saeed Abedini, and two other Americans, Robert Levinson and Amir Hekmati, be released? How can we believe that Levinson and Hekmati fare any better than Abedini under their captors?
     Iran show us your goodwill, set these people free; release Saeed Abedini, Robert Levinson, and Amir Hekmati.
     Christians, the world over, consider Hebrews 13:3: "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body."
     Pray for them, speak of them in your blogs, call for their release, contact our government on their behalf.
"O God, we ask for Saeed Abedini, that You will save his life and freedom to your glory. We pray that Robert Levinson, andAmir Hekmati also will be released, and that soon! In Jesus'name we pray. Amen."