Saudi Arabia has long been one of the most vocal countries to object to any insult or restriction impacting Islam in other countries. However, it continues to deny the free exercise of religion to non-Muslims. That oppressive record was on full display this week with the report of another series of arrests of Christians who were merely trying to pray. The infamous Morality Police (Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice) raided the prayer meeting and arrested everyone for the crime of praying to another God.
The 28 Christians had gathered in the home an Indian national in the eastern city of Khafji and families say that they have not been heard from since.
All churches are banned in Saudi Arabia which believes only in the freedom of religion for Muslims. That position did not stop the Obama Administration (and Hillary Clinton) in working toward an international blasphemy standard for countries to criminalize insults to religion, as we previously discussed.
The Saudi government has denied knowledge of the raid, but the English-language newspaper, The Saudi Gazette, as well as several Saudi Arabic-language news outlets, have reported on the arrests.
Source: Daily Mail
Yay! Another thread kill victory!
Aridog is a man of integrity. Something I have known from other blogs. But, something folks have just seen, and hopefully remember.
Traveling Limey …. You know what, Iagree with you. I do think I overstated and made the assertion too radical. I know better and if you’d read any posts of mine elsewhere over the past few years you’d know I didn’t always think like that. Truth is I don’t believe it myself now either. But there have been unpleasant changes and I should find a better way to describe it. The “fear factor” is definitely operative here now, unlike a year ago. I might have improved my remark by simple saying the moderate Muslims have now withdraw and seem afraid to stand up to the fundamentalists. My goal, and others like me should be to heal that fear and not just prejudicially classify the victims as non-moderate. It is possible in my experience in Asia with two cultures in particular. One more successful that the other. Humility is a key factor in a healing approach and I was hardly humble in my remark. You start with shared values and build on that.
I used a bad choice of words and it reflected my personal feelings since I still live among Arab Muslims and over the past year I’ve seen “fundamentalist” influenced changes that cause several one time friends to withdraw from contact with me, other infidels, as well as some of their Arab Muslim neighbors, most Lebanese, as well. Apparently the cosmopolitan nature of the Lebanese isn’t acceptable anymore either. Since I have no intention of moving out and away, on principle, one should never run away, I’d better find a better adaptation soon.
So thanks for correcting me. I do screw up from time to time, and it’s usually when I let my personal feeling interfere with my rational thinking.
I have known a few Muslims in my lifetime. There are some I would trust, but many who are too embedded in their cultural beliefs and fear change. I often why they chose to come to America, if they are afraid of freedom and continue to cling to radical beliefs.
I appreciate the different views I read on this blog, they help enlighten me as to how people think–some of it is scary but informative!
We will see this turn around soon to get a real coalition against ASOL. Right now there is a lot of non-confront on all sides. I was dead against the Iraqi war & demonstrated against it. This is different.
‘There are no moderate Muslims’ is a radical statement, Airdog. I don’t believe it. I have lived amongst Muslims too.
Karen S,
Such an astute observation…. Wonder if any will take the hint?
But, you know, people resort to personal attacks and snide remarks when they are incapable or over faced with debating issues in a mature and thoughtful manner.
Politicians shouldn’t fight wars.
anonymous – mine are not assumptions. They are based on my experiences in the real world. I was in a country where there was a coup. I’ve earned my opinions.
If anything is going to grow if left alone, it’s ISIS. Past behavior predicts future. If we don’t like the beheadings of Americans, do we want even more of them?
Karen, There is a large rift growing between Obama and his generals on how to deal w/ ISIS.