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7 Christians Released in Saudi Arabia (but they must renounce their faith)
ewtn.com ^
| 6 26 05
| ewtn
Posted on 06/26/2005 1:10:39 AM PDT by freepatriot32
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, JUNE 9, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Seven Christians, arrested for their faith, were released on condition that they renounce religious practice, which they carried out privately in their homes.
Of the seven released Wednesday, six were part of a group of Protestants who were arrested May 28 in a raid by the muttawa, or religious police, in Riyadh.
The seventh Christian released is Indian evangelical Samkutty Varghese, who was jailed last March. Police used his address book to track down the other Christians.
Two other Christians are still being held for "further investigation," authorities said.
According to AsiaNews sources close to Indian citizen Vijay Kumar, 45, of Tamil Nadu, one of the freed prisoners, their release took place after having signed a document in which they renounced the prayer sessions and religious practices they had been carrying in their homes.
In Saudi Arabia, only Islam is allowed public expression.
Up to a few years ago, "a Christian was not even allowed to pray in private," said Father Bernardo Cervellera, director of AsiaNews.
He added that now, because of international pressure, the Saudi royal family is allowing non-Muslims to practice their religion in the privacy of their home.
"Unfortunately, however," the priest explained, "the police and a considerable part of Saudi society do not accept this liberalization, so Christians are arrested."
TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Editorial; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Philosophy; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 7; arabia; christianpersacution; christianpersecution; christians; donutwatch; faith; saudi; saudiarabia
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To: freepatriot32
...the Saudi royal family is allowing non-Muslims to practice their religion in the privacy of their home... the police and a considerable part of Saudi society do not accept this liberalization, so Christians are arrested This sounds like what the Liberals ultimately have in mind for Christians in our country.
21
posted on
06/26/2005 5:12:16 AM PDT
by
Gritty
("The West no longer loves itself, its own history, or what is great and pure." - Pope Benedict XVI)
To: freepatriot32
Pity the ones who aren't already circumcised.
22
posted on
06/26/2005 5:52:45 AM PDT
by
NaughtiusMaximus
(Don't blame me . . . voting for Pedro.)
To: freepatriot32
This just proves that muslims are hypocrites. The quran claims there is no compulsion is religion...and yet muslims betray the quran and compel people to renounce their religion. So this just proves that Saudi Arabia doesn't follow the quran.
23
posted on
06/26/2005 6:13:17 AM PDT
by
highlander_UW
(I don't know what my future holds, but I know Who holds my future)
To: Irish_Thatcherite
It is time for mankind to declare war on this abomination masquerading as a religion. Death to Islam.
24
posted on
06/26/2005 6:20:09 AM PDT
by
Cornpone
(Who Dares Wins -- Defame Islam Today -- Tell the Truth About Muhammad)
To: Dallas59
"Where are the mass protests in Europe?" Where are the mass protests in the US?
25
posted on
06/26/2005 6:23:26 AM PDT
by
ValenB4
("Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets." - Isaac Asimov)
To: Cornpone
Don't hold back, speak your mind....
To: MinuteGal
"Obviously it's still 64 A.D. in Saudi Arabia." Arabia in 64 AD was a more enlightened and civilized place. Perhaps you mean 640 AD.
27
posted on
06/26/2005 6:27:39 AM PDT
by
ValenB4
("Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets." - Isaac Asimov)
To: Irish_Thatcherite
Sorry...I'm just so sick of the west mollycoddling these heathens and not saying or doing a thing when these satanists kill or persecute Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Animists or anyone else that doesn't worship their psychotic pedophile.
28
posted on
06/26/2005 6:34:55 AM PDT
by
Cornpone
(Who Dares Wins -- Defame Islam Today -- Tell the Truth About Muhammad)
To: ValenB4
No, I DID mean 64 A.D.
The most famous of the Christian persecutions was under Nero.
A disasterous fire destroyed much of Rome in the year A.D.64.
Nero decided to blame the "subversive" Christians for starting the fire.
He had many of them killed by crucifying, burning alive and throwing them to wild animals.
I'm sure some Saudis would do this today except for the fact that worldwide PETA would be on their backs (on behalf of the lions, not the Christians).
Leni
29
posted on
06/26/2005 6:48:53 AM PDT
by
MinuteGal
(Florida Freepers: Check out the Florida Forum. Click the Florida Flag on Your Profile Page)
To: Dallas59
Where are the mass protests in Europe?
The pigs aren't oinking loud enough.
30
posted on
06/26/2005 7:07:32 AM PDT
by
moog
To: toadthesecond
Why isn't Bush pushing for regime change in Saudi?
Because the Suads are his friends, just ask him. Blackbird.
To: ValenB4
Typo - "46 A.D." instead of "64 A.D."
Too much Arabic coffee this A.D....er, A.M.
L.O.L.
Leni
32
posted on
06/26/2005 7:15:42 AM PDT
by
MinuteGal
(Florida Freepers: Check out the Florida Forum. Click the Florida Flag on Your Profile Page)
To: freepatriot32
How much longer is our craven government going to allow this to go on without speaking out?
33
posted on
06/26/2005 7:28:53 AM PDT
by
ZULU
(Fear the government which fears your guns. God, guts, and guns made America great.)
To: freepatriot32
You must be a mistaken, MY President told me Islam is a religion of P E A C E!
Who should I believe?
34
posted on
06/26/2005 7:39:02 AM PDT
by
TomasUSMC
(FIGHT LIKE WW2, FINISH LIKE WW2. FIGHT LIKE NAM, FINISH LIKE NAM.)
To: toadthesecond
Why isn't Bush pushing for regime change in Saudi? BWAHAHAHA!!!!
35
posted on
06/26/2005 7:45:39 AM PDT
by
Drew68
(IYAOYAS! Semper Gumby!)
To: freepatriot32
Classic. Just classic. Free the Christians. Let 'em come here or go to Israel, how about?
36
posted on
06/26/2005 1:50:21 PM PDT
by
Alexander Rubin
(You make my heart glad by building thus, as if Rome is to be eternal.)
To: freepatriot32
So what they were freed. All they have to do is re-find their religion.
37
posted on
06/26/2005 1:51:18 PM PDT
by
television is just wrong
(http://hehttp://print.google.com/print/doc?articleidisblogs.blogspot.com/ (visit blogs, visit ads).)
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