Free Republic

A county in Virginia has cited a farmer there because he hosts Thursday night worship services in his barn on a 900-acre farm. According to a statement from Liberty Counsel, which is representing the man, Garland Simmons recently received a Notice of Violation from Bedford County stating that his barn cannot be used for religious services. Simmons' 900-acre piece of property apparently isn't zoned for such meetings. "Barns in Bedford County can apparently be used for dancing to the tunes of Toby Keith or Reba, but a church service reciting the Psalms of David or praise and worship with Casting...

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...

Jeddah (AsiaNews) – A Saudi citizen converted to Christianity has been arrested and jailed. Emad Alaabadi was taken into custody last November 29, at Hofuf, a town in eastern Saudi Arabia, but the news was reported only a few days ago by the International Christian Concern (ICC), a Washington-based human rights group. AsiaNews local sources have confirmed the report, and also say that he “is not the only Saudi Christian in jail at the moment: there are also others”. According to news obtained by ICC, other Christians – at least 3 or 4 – appear to have been arrested along...