Does Saudi Arabia Permit Churches and Synogogues?

[Anonymous]

Pardon my ignorance, but is it true that Saudi Arabia only permits mosques and forbids churches and synogogues? (Not sure whether to trust the article linked.) If true, why isn't the Muslim-run government being criticized for an obvious human rights violation? (Seems to me that Israel is picked on when other countries are so much worse.) Saudi Arabia, along with Quatar and some other Arab countries, treat Jews in particular with disdain, and they frequently yell anti-Semitic slurs (not against Israell per se, but Jews in general).

Also, I am not criticizing Muslims themselves, just the Muslim governments.

http://stevepieczenik.com/tolerance-no-churches-in-saudi-arabia/

[Anonymous]

You should first figure out that Dubai is not in Saudi Arabia.

[Anonymous]

Jews and christians are allowed to practice those religions inside the privacy of their own homes in the Kingdom.

Proselytizing by christians is strictly forbidden anywhere in the Kingdom. Penalties can be severe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: You should first figure out that Dubai is not in Saudi Arabia.

Of course I know Dubai is not in SA! (Good attempt at a putdown, but fail) That's why I asked about Dubai, in addition to my question about SA.

FWIW, I've also heard Dubai is also unwelcoming to Jews, and it was a related thought. I'm trying to identify which Arab countries welcome Jews, and I heard that the United Arab Emirates was pretty bad too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jews and christians are allowed to practice those religions inside the privacy of their own homes in the Kingdom.

Proselytizing by christians is strictly forbidden anywhere in the Kingdom. Penalties can be severe.

So no public churches or synagogues? They want it hidden? What an oppressive government.

[Anonymous]

Of course SA is oppressive & has terrible human rights. They just earlier this year decided to let women drive cars. And that was a big deal. Women, in particular, have virtually no rights or independence in SA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course SA is oppressive & has terrible human rights. They just earlier this year decided to let women drive cars. And that was a big deal. Women, in particular, have virtually no rights or independence in SA.

Then why is Israel the country always criticized for human rights violations? Seems like the Arab countries are worse. From what I've seen, Muslims living in Israel (except the occupied territories) are treated very well. I was there on a Friday, and it was wonderful to see the Muslims worshipping in Old Jerusalem, and then the Jews come out on Friday night to start their day of worship - right in the same place. All peaceful and respectful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: You should first figure out that Dubai is not in Saudi Arabia.

This is the kind of thread where the question about who's part of some kind of organized social media outreach campaign and who's a regular conservative really matter to me.

The question is a good, important question, and, technically, it's worded in a way that avoids blanket homophobia.

But (sorry if the OP or any other conservatives here are plain old conservatives), it just feels as if regular people here are being backed into
a neuro linguistic programming corner.

I think the best answer here is that Saudi Arabia has huge, obvious problems, Israel has its own big, obvious problems, Hezbollah and Hamas have awful methods and rhetoric, to put it mildly, and human beings of all kind have a tendency to be messed up.

We still have to do what we can to live together, because warming is coming. Our best hope is to team up against the storms, wildfires and droughts.

[Anonymous]

I'm the OP and guarantee you I am not part of any organized outreach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: You should first figure out that Dubai is not in Saudi Arabia.

Of course I know Dubai is not in SA! (Good attempt at a putdown, but fail) That's why I asked about Dubai, in addition to my question about SA.

FWIW, I've also heard Dubai is also unwelcoming to Jews, and it was a related thought. I'm trying to identify which Arab countries welcome Jews, and I heard that the United Arab Emirates was pretty bad too.

Dubai is very different. The government there gives land to churches and will fund their construction. Christmas is widely celebrated and there is a huge amount of tolerance and encouragement. I don’t think there is currently an active synagogue there though there was one in the early 00s. That was government funded too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course SA is oppressive & has terrible human rights. They just earlier this year decided to let women drive cars. And that was a big deal. Women, in particular, have virtually no rights or independence in SA.

I'm guessing OP cares a lot less about women than he does about Christians.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: You should first figure out that Dubai is not in Saudi Arabia.

Of course I know Dubai is not in SA! (Good attempt at a putdown, but fail) That's why I asked about Dubai, in addition to my question about SA.

FWIW, I've also heard Dubai is also unwelcoming to Jews, and it was a related thought. I'm trying to identify which Arab countries welcome Jews, and I heard that the United Arab Emirates was pretty bad too.

Dubai is very different. The government there gives land to churches and will fund their construction. Christmas is widely celebrated and there is a huge amount of tolerance and encouragement. I don’t think there is currently an active synagogue there though there was one in the early 00s. That was government funded too.

OP here. You seem knowledgeable this, so may I ask....I have heard a rumor that American Jews cannot visit Dubai if they have visited Israel in the past (as would show by their passport). Do you know if that is true?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course SA is oppressive & has terrible human rights. They just earlier this year decided to let women drive cars. And that was a big deal. Women, in particular, have virtually no rights or independence in SA.

I'm guessing OP cares a lot less about women than he does about Christians.

Big fail. I'm a woman and care that all religions have access to free worship. Christians too (although I'm Jewish).

[Anonymous]

I once applied for a job in Saudi Arabia and the application form asked what my religion was. I was told that Jews need not apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course SA is oppressive & has terrible human rights. They just earlier this year decided to let women drive cars. And that was a big deal. Women, in particular, have virtually no rights or independence in SA.

I'm guessing OP cares a lot less about women than he does about Christians.

Big fail. I'm a woman and care that all religions have access to free worship. Christians too (although I'm Jewish).

You forgot to claim that you care about women.