Job Discussion Forums

rjbsd · Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 53

I am on the mailing list for my church's prayer list and receive frequent emails from the preacher, all of which contain prayers, Bible verses, etc. It is my way of keeping up with the news from my home town. Should I stop receiving these when I get to the KSA?

Deicide

johnslat · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:43 pm Post subject:

Dear rjbsd,

If your church is e-mailing these to your private e-mail address, there should be no problem.
Just don't print them out and pass them around.

Regards,
John

rjbsd · Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 53

OK Cool. Thanks for the replies.

rjbsd · Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 53

johnslat · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:52 pm Post subject:

Dear rjbsd,

". . . the preacher at my home town church is a WOMAN of all things. Go figure."

Heavens to Murgatroyd - what is Christianity coming to?

(and before anyone else leaps in to answer, I will - its senses, one hopes.)

Regards,
John

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 1:54 am Post subject:

rjbasd, I agree with johnslat about your e-mails. Be sure that they come only to a personal account, and I would even go so far as to advise that you do not use a work computer to open that personal account.

Also, be careful of sharing an internet connection with others or letting others share your wireless. It is most unlikely that anything would ever happen to you because you shared Christian messages with others who are outside of KSA, but you need to be certain that no one ever, ever, ever thinks that you are sharing those messages with Saudis or other Muslims. You also would not want anyone with a grudge against you to make it look as though you had attempted to proselytize in Saudi Arabia.

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

Absolutely--I second Mia. Do not have anything regarding religion on a work computer, including your personal emails or especially web sites you visit or personal files. Religion or politics, keep it strictly at home. Furthermore, keep your sensitive emails from your home computer to a minimum, because as you may know, messages can be tracked to inidividual computers anywhere.

evolving81 · Joined: 04 May 2009 Posts: 135 Location: Tampa

This is somewhat related to the topic at hand...

I'm a fairly lazy atheist. What I mean by that is I don't believe in god but I'm not offended by other people who do and certainly would not try to convert anyone. How is atheism treated in KSA? Are they indifferent? Worse than being Christian or better or...?

FYI, this is not a religious debate question, I'm just wondering how Saudis view the issue.

Thanks,
Mitch

johnslat · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:19 pm Post subject:

Dear evolving81,

I would not advertise the fact that I was an atheist. In fact, by far the best policy is to avoid ANY discussion of "religious matters" whatsoever.

I believe most Saudis would regard an atheist as a pagan/infidel. Being known as one would certainly not win you any friends - just the opposite.

Far better to be thought of as "a person of the Book" - that is, some sort of Christian (but not, of course, as Jewish.)

Regards,
John

evolving81 · Joined: 04 May 2009 Posts: 135 Location: Tampa

Thanks, John. I figured as much. People in the US don't like atheists either. Smile

Do Muslims attempt to convert Christians in KSA like Christians feel compelled to do in USA?

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:20 pm Post subject:

While, not John...yes, they do. It is a religious duty that they are bound to perform. It always touched me when some of my air force guys, inspired by my speaking of my admiration of Islam, would invariably show up with an English-translation of the Holy Koran and a bevy of religious brochures.

While the act offended some of my colleagues when it happened to them, I found it a refreshing respite from the double-standard that I saw many saudis apply to their religion on a daily basis.

NCTBA

rjbsd · Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 53

Thanks for the replies. I am not a steady church attender, but I do go with my Mother when I go home for a visit. And the emails from the preacher keep me informed on who is sick, who died, who had a baby, how the football team is doing.

To be safe, I will just ask her to take me off the mailing list. I plan to fly below the radar as much as possible during my time in KSA.

rjbsd · Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 53

Also, I always avoid religious and political conversations at work and socializing. Even in the deepest nether regions of East Texas, it is a good rule to follow.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:54 pm Post subject:

Dear rjbsd and NCTBA,

"It always touched me when some of my air force guys, inspired by my speaking of my admiration of Islam, would invariably show up with an English-translation of the Holy Koran and a bevy of religious brochures.

While the act offended some of my colleagues when it happened to them, I found it a refreshing respite from the double-standard that I saw many saudis apply to their religion on a daily basis."

Amen, so to speak - although mine weren't "air force." I always found it very flattering that they cared enough to want to save me from damnation (a lost cause, I fear.)

But I think it's probably wise of you, rjbsd, to get off the mailing list, just in case. Your Mom can always keep you updated on any important stuff, anyway, can't she?

Regards,
John