2006-09-29 13:49:45 · 16 answers · asked by ruffian 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
As Islam's birthplace, Saudi Arabia will never allow churches to be built, said Prince Sultan, the defense minister.
"This country was the launch pad for the prophecy and the message and nothing can contradict this, even if we lose our necks," Sultan said in comments reported by Saudi newspapers.
Those who want to establish churches "are, unfortunately, fanatics," Sultan said. "There are no churches - not in the past, the present or future. ... Whoever said this must shut up and be ashamed."
Islam's founding Prophet Muhammad allowed Arabia's Christian churches to continue operating and many Muslim nations follow his example.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent federal agency, complained when Saudi Arabia was omitted on the new State Department list of countries that severely limit religious freedom.
Sultan noted that resident foreigners are allowed to worship privately in their homes.
2006-09-29 15:11:07 · answer #1 · answered by Stephen J 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
On March 14, 2003, Prince Sultan, the Saudi defence minister, re-affirmed that Saudi Arabia will never allow churches to be built on its land.
2006-09-29 14:11:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
there has been some communicate at present of King Abdullah chatting with an ambassador from the Pope to open the 1st church in Saudi Arabia. The King has led various projects to make peace between international religions and for this reason is dedicated to deliver reform in his own u . s . a . too. Plus he himself met the Pope final 3 hundred and sixty 5 days, and it quite is the 1st time a Saudi monarch has been to the Vatican. So issues are shifting. quickly inshallah there'll be a church in Saudi too. real now its prayers are presented purely in compounds or privateness of residences.
2016-10-18 05:33:18 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of the greatest evils of the last millenium has been colonisation. Many of the problems across the third world are the direct result of this.
the reality is that christian missionaries were often the first line of 'attack' in the colonisation of foreign countries.
So I have no problem with Saudi Arabia or any other countries banning christians.
the Japanese (now the second largest economy in the world) saw the danger in missionaries and banned all foreigners from setting foot there for about two hundred years.
2006-09-29 17:11:03 · answer #4 · answered by richy 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
According to Saudi Law all Saudi citizen must be Muslim and it is obligatory for them to follow the Islamic faith. non- Muslim can not take the Saudi citizen ship they look at them the same way President Bush look at atheists as non-U.S. citizen and not patriotic. So the Christians there mostly expats came in temporarily working contracts and they have been informed of the law before coming to that country. So even locals of different faith or culture can not do any thing publically.
2006-09-29 23:45:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
All of these people that have been answering "None" don't know what they are talking about. I worked for Mobil for many years before becoming a teacher and was stationed for most of those years in SA. Within walking distance of our compound was an Episcopalian and Methodist Church and a Jewish Temple.
Granted the mosque held over 2000 and my little Episcopal Church seated 30 and was never more than half full, but we were NEVER threatened, taunted or harassed. The only thing that had an effect on me personally is that when I left the compound to walk to the church I had to wear a veil.
2006-09-30 07:43:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
The prophet Mahomet allowed the Christians to build a Church in the Sinai which I visited and which is still active and those f... Saudis who were keeping goats in the desert 60 years ago they forbid us to have one single Church in their country !! Who do they think they are those Saudis ? They are nouveaux riches rednecks. Period.
2006-09-29 19:41:31 · answer #7 · answered by Mimi 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe it is zero. They are intolerant of any Christian churches and it is a crime to bring a Bible into the country.
A Lebanese friend's brother was very nearly arrested by the religious police for having a Bible in his luggage.
Maybe we should choose better friends than the Saudis.
2006-09-29 13:52:53 · answer #8 · answered by KERMIT M 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Probably none. Please note that Saudi is a damn wierd country! It isnt representative of Islam. Im a Muslim and I dont like the place, its way way over the top!
2006-09-29 13:58:31 · answer #9 · answered by Mr Slug 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
There are none, but I think you knew that. It is their country and it is not for us to tell them how to run it.
If you do not like it, do not go there.
2006-09-29 13:58:55 · answer #10 · answered by Robert Abuse 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋