Saeed Abedini, a U.S. citizen of Iranian birth, was arrested and charged in Iran last June during a visit. Abedini, 32, converted to Christianity from Islam and then became a pastor, living in Boise, Idaho. He has reportedly been detained in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison since late September. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, a Muslim who converts to another faith can face the death penalty. "They've charged him with Christian gatherings, and they're saying it is a threat to the national security," Naghmeh Abedini said. Saeed Abedini and his wife, Naghmeh Abedini and children in happier times Evidently Rev. Abedini has been sentenced to 8 years in an Iranian prison. This, for the crime of serving as pastor for the Christian community in that country. This is not something that can be tolerated by civilized countries. The tiny Christian communities in Iran and Iraq can trace their roots back to the earliest days of the faith. It was the apostles themsel